Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em: Tight Ends | Week 7, 2026

Fantasy managers considering who to start in fantasy football at tight end are staring down some tough decisions in Week 7.

If you’re fretting over who the top tight ends to start for Week 7 are, or which players should be riding your bench this week, here’s our fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em Week 7, 2026 tight ends guide to help you get an edge in your league this week.

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Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Week 7, 2026 – Tight End

So, who should you absolutely slot into your lineup for Week 7, and who’s better of left on your bench? Let’s take a look. We’re focusing on tight ends you might be on the fence about starting or sitting, rather than weekly must-start caliber players like Trey McBride or Brock Bowers.

Tight End Start of the Week

Tucker Kraft – Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions

Projected: 13.8 (TE3)

Tucker Kraft is a must-start option this week as the Packers travel to face the Lions. Detroit’s defense has been generous to tight ends, allowing the second-most PPR points per game to the position and with Green Bay’s implied total at 25.2 points and a game over/under of 53.5, Kraft will likely see plenty of scoring opportunities in this one. He’s projected for about 6.1 targets and an 18% target share. Our TE3 for Week 7, Kraft is in a prime spot to cash in on a soft matchup and should be in your lineup.

Tight Ends to Start in Week 7

Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams @ Las Vegas Raiders

Projected: 11.2 (TE7)

Higbee’s a strong play in Week 7, even if the Raiders’ defense is allowing the 11th-fewest PPR points to tight ends. The Rams have an implied total of 26.5 points and Higbee is expected to see 5.4 targets as his role in the Rams’ passing attack has expanded. He might have been underwhelming against the Cardinals last week, but he still played 83% of offensive snaps.

Juwan Johnson – New Orleans Saints vs Pittsburgh Steelers

Projected: 9.9 (TE12)

Juwan Johnson’s Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers presents a prime opportunity for a bounce-back performance. Despite a disappointing Week 6 where he failed to record a catch, Johnson remains the Saints’ top tight end and is expected to see around 5.5 targets this week. The Steelers have struggled against tight ends, allowing the seventh-most PPR points per game to the position, which bodes well for Johnson’s chances to exceed expectations. With the Saints’ implied total at 20.5 points, Johnson’s forecasted 15% target share should position him as a viable start.

Tight End Sit of the Week

4. Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers

Projected: 7.5 (TE23)

Pitts had a standout performance in Week 6 against the Bears, racking up 23 PPR points on two touchdowns, but he’s also become near-synonymous with risky TE starts among managers who have been in the game a while. His Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers puts him squarely back in that territory. Despite the 49ers allowing the 15th-most PPR points to tight ends, Pitts volumes is expected to be relatively low, and he’s projected to finish outside the top 20 at the position this week.

Tight Ends to Sit in Week 7

Tyler Warren – Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings

Projected: 6.7 (TE28)

Like the rest of the Vikings offense, Tyler Warren draws one of the worst defensive matchups in the league: the Minnesota Vikings. And as with nearly every other offensive position, Minnesota’s defense has been tough against tight ends, allowing the second-fewest PPR points per game. Warren surged against the Steelers, racking up 21.4 PPR points, the Colts’ implied total sits at just 17.5 points for this matchup and his expected volume of 6.5 targets and a 19% target share might not be enough to overcome the Vikings’ shutdown defense. He’s also listed as questionable to play.

Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs @ Seattle Seahawks

Projected: 9.2 (TE17)
Range: 4.1–13.1
Matchup: Neutral

Travis Kelce and the Chiefs face a Seahawks defense that has been tough on tight ends, allowing the 16th-fewest PPR points per game, and Kansas City’s implied total is just 20 points. In Week 6, he managed only 9.3 PPR points against the Chargers, catching 4 of 5 targets for 53 yards, and the Seahawks stands well above LA’s standard. We’ll keep Kelce on the bench this week.

Watch NFL Football on DIRECTV

You can see all of these tight ends and the rest of the players on your fantasy roster rack up points all season long on by watching NFL games every week on DIRECTV.