Fantasy football is a cruel, cruel mistress. One week you're riding high because your tight end actually caught a touchdown, and the next, you're scouring the waiver wire for literally anyone who isn't a "zero." Honestly, looking at the fantasy football week 11 tight ends landscape, it feels like we're all just guessing at this point.
But guessing doesn't win championships.
The middle of November is where the season actually breaks. By now, your roster is probably held together by duct tape and prayers. You've got Sam LaPorta out with a back injury, and Dalton Kincaid is sidelined with a hamstring issue that has him labeled "week-to-week." If you spent a high draft pick on those guys, you're hurting. It sucks.
The Trey McBride Reality Check
Trey McBride is basically the only person at the position who doesn't make me want to throw my remote at the wall. With Marvin Harrison Jr. ruled out for the Cardinals' matchup against the 49ers, McBride isn't just a tight end; he's the de facto WR1 in Arizona.
He’s projected for roughly 19 points in PPR formats. That's absurd.
If you own him, you start him. You don't overthink it. Most people think "star player out" means "double teams for the tight end," but with McBride, it just means more volume. He's already tied with Dalton Schultz for the most catches at the position since Week 7. The floor is high, the ceiling is higher.
Why Everyone is Wrong About Cade Otton
I keep seeing people say to sit Cade Otton because the Buffalo Bills are "tough against tight ends."
Look, Buffalo is technically the hardest matchup on paper. They allow the fewest fantasy points to the position. But have you seen the Buccaneers' wide receiver room lately? It’s a ghost town. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are out, which leaves Baker Mayfield looking at Otton like he’s a life raft in the middle of the Atlantic.
- Target Share: Otton had 12 targets last week.
- Consistency: He’s averaged 12.2 fantasy points over his last five games.
- The "Baker" Factor: Mayfield doesn't care about "elite" defenses; he's going to chuck the ball to whoever is open.
Basically, volume is king. I’d rather start a guy getting 10 targets in a bad matchup than a guy getting three targets in a "great" one.
Streaming the Chaos: Week 11 Tight Ends to Grab
If you’re desperate—and let's be real, if you're reading this, you probably are—you need to look at the Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game.
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The Bengals are historically bad against tight ends this year. They’ve given up 12 touchdowns to the position already. That’s insane. Last time these teams met, Pat Freiermuth went absolutely nuclear with 111 yards and two scores.
Is he a safe play? Kinda. The Steelers use three different tight ends (Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington), so there’s always a risk he gets "vultured." But given the matchup, Freiermuth is a top-10 play this week.
Then there’s Dawson Knox. With Kincaid officially out, Knox becomes the guy for Josh Allen. We know they have red-zone chemistry from years past. It’s a "back to the future" play that could easily result in a cheap touchdown.
The Mid-Tier Mess
- Dalton Schultz: He's been surprisingly steady. Even with C.J. Stroud out and Davis Mills under center, Schultz saw 11 targets last week. He's the safety valve. Expect 8-10 points, which, for a tight end, is basically a victory.
- Theo Johnson: If you’re in a deep league, keep an eye on the Giants' rookie. Jameis Winston is starting this week. Winston loves throwing to big targets in the middle of the field. Johnson has been a red-zone favorite lately, and "Famous Jameis" might just feed him.
- Brock Bowers: The rookie wall is real, but Bowers is still the Raiders' best pass-catcher. He had a quiet Week 10, but don't panic. A bounce-back is coming against Dallas.
What Most People Get Wrong About Matchups
Fantasy "experts" love to look at "Points Allowed" and call it a day. That's lazy.
You have to look at how teams are giving up those points. The Titans, for example, look like a "bad" matchup for Dalton Schultz. But they’ve been beaten by athletic tight ends who can find soft spots in their zone. Schultz isn't the fastest guy, but he's smart. He's going to find the gap.
Also, don't sleep on Luke Musgrave. With Tucker Kraft out for the year, Musgrave is the "next man up" in Green Bay. The matchup against the Vikings isn't great, but he's going to be on the field for 80% of the snaps. In fantasy football, being on the field is half the battle.
Fantasy Football Week 11 Tight Ends: Actionable Steps
Stop chasing last week's points. If a guy scored two touchdowns on two targets, he’s probably going to burn you this week.
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- Check the Inactives: If you see a team is missing their WR2, that’s your cue to start their tight end.
- Prioritize Targets: In PPR leagues, a tight end with 7 catches for 50 yards is worth more than a guy who catches one 10-yard touchdown.
- The "Monday Night" Pivot: If you're undecided, keep a Monday Night player (like Jake Ferguson) on your bench so you have a late-game option if someone gets ruled out late.
Basically, the tight end position in 2025 is a war of attrition. You don't need a hero; you just need someone who isn't going to give you a zero. Focus on the guys getting 5+ targets a game and ignore the "experts" who tell you to bench a high-volume player just because the matchup looks "red" on your app.
Go grab Dawson Knox or Pat Freiermuth if they're still on your wire. Check the final injury reports 90 minutes before kickoff to make sure no late-week "illnesses" or "tweaks" ruin your Sunday. If you've got McBride or Kittle, just enjoy the ride and focus your stress on your running backs instead.