There was no shortage of carnage at the tight end position during the first week of the NFL season, and it’s very possible that you plan to go week-to-week with the position throughout the season. So who are the fantasy football TE streamers heading into Week 2? Here’s a look at which players to stream.
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Top TE Streamers for Week 2
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. MIA)
Are the Patriots going to air the ball out 54 times this week like they did last? No. They don’t want that to be the case and will try to prevent that game flow from playing out, but they might not have a choice if QB Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins repeat their aerial assault from Week 1.
Henry hauled in five of six targets for 56 yards and a score against the Eagles, but that’s not what has me interested in him this week. In that Week 1 loss, running backs and tight ends accounted for 46.3% of New England targets. That’s a massive number that I don’t expect to sustain, but with a lack of target-earning receivers, they figure to rank among the league leaders in RB/TE target share this season.
If you’re streaming Henry, you’re investing in the volume. He’s not going to carry a ton of scoring equity often due to the limitations of this offense, but with the Dolphins coming to town, New England is going to have to operate outside of their comfort zone. We have Henry as a viable play in all formats in our PFN consensus rankings for Week 2.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (vs. SEA)
The rookie looked good in his debut in Kansas City, catching all five of his targets in the upset victory. While he was only able to gain 39 yards, he certainly looked the part on an offense that is in desperate need of a secondary pass catcher next to Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Rookie TE Sam LaPorta was lined up out wide on 40% of his passing snaps.
He also recorded the most receptions (5) by a rookie TE in their debut since 2019.
LaPorta is a versatile weapon who can be used for more than just playing TE. #Lions #OnePride pic.twitter.com/UT1hCMpnDJ
— LionsFanReport (@lionsfanreport) September 11, 2023
His short aDOT role could prove fruitful against a Seahawks defense that was gashed consistently by Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua in the Week 1 loss against the Rams. Detroit displayed balance last week with 35 pass attempts and 34 rush attempts, which isn’t something that I expect to be the norm. The Lions were the best home offense in the NFL last season, and if LaPorta assumes the number two option through the air, he could post top-10 stats in this spot.
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders (at DEN)
Thomas led the Commanders with eight targets in the Week 1 win over the Cardinals, and more importantly, he left the game healthy — that’s the catch. Season-long fantasy managers worry about the health — not the skill — of the veteran tight end, so any week that he projects for a high snap share, he’s at least worth a look.
MORE: 2023 TE Fantasy Football Rankings
Denver’s defense is talented, but we saw last week that their opponent’s favorite target is wherever Patrick Surtain II isn’t. Logic would suggest that the All-World corner will be lining up across from Terry McLaurin more often than not, which leaves Thomas and Jahan Dotson as the next best options.
Thomas was targeted with three of Sam Howell’s first seven passes to open the season, and he should be similarly involved this weekend.