MIAMI, Oct. 8 (UPI) — Mark Andrews, Mike Gesicki, Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and T.J. Hockenson lead my Week 5 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2021.
Dalton Schultz, Dawson Knox, Dallas Goedert, Cameron Brate and George Kittle round out my Top 10 options for Week 5. Kyle Pitts and C.J. Uzomah are among my top tight end streamers.
The top-tier tight ends should not leave your lineup if you are in a league that requires starting the position.
Look for players with great matchups on a weekly basis if you didn’t draft an elite option. I recommend starting a tight end who will be the first or second target in their respective offense.
Here are some of my favorite players in this week’s Top 20 rankings:
TOP SHELF
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews got off to a slow start, but caught five passes for at least 57 yards in each of his last three games. Andrews gained 109 yards in Week 3 and 67 yards in Week 4.
This week, the Ravens face the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts allowed a touchdown last week to Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki and could struggle to contain the Ravens’ speedy outside threats and running game.
Look for Andrews to post elite TE1 statistics this week. Andrews is my top tight end for Week 5. I expect at least 80 yards and a score from the veteran tight end in a Ravens blowout.
Gesicki scored his first touchdown of the season in Week 4 and should be even more involved in the Dolphins game plan in Week 5. The Dolphins face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday in Tampa, Fla. The Buccaneers are known for their stout run defense, but struggle against the passing game.
The Dolphins put Will Fuller on injured reserve earlier this week and could be without fellow wide receiver DeVante Parker on Sunday, which should increase Gesicki’s targets.
The Buccaneers allow the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends. They allowed three touchdowns to the position in their last two games. Look for the Dolphins to capitalize on the injuries to the Buccaneers’ secondary and use Gesicki as their primary red zone target.
I expect Gesicki to find the end zone at least once and to see at least 10 targets in this matchup. He is my No. 2 tight end.
SNEAKY PLAYS
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox ranks sixth in fantasy points per game for his position. Knox caught five passes for 37 yards and two scores in Week 4. He also scored in Week 3 and Week 2.
I expect Dawson’s hot streak to continue when the Bills face the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in Kansas City, Mo.
This game should be a shootout, with the Bills visiting the end zone several times. The Chiefs lead the league in receiving yards allowed to tight ends.
Look for Knox to haul in a score for the third-consecutive game. He also should gain at least 50 yards. Knox is my No. 7 play for Week 5.
With Rob Gronkowski ruled out, Cameron Brate is expected to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in tight end targets. Brate turned a season-high six targets into just two catches for 29 yards in Week 4, but I expect a rebound performance this week against the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins are tied for allowing the second most touchdowns (three) to opposing tight ends this season. They allowed two scores last week to Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
Look for Tom Brady to find this 6-foot-5 playmaker in the red zone in what should be a lopsided Buccaneers win. Brate is my No. 9 play for Week 5, but should only be used in leagues that require starting the position.
LONGSHOTS
It appears that Atlanta Falcons rookie Kyle Pitts was overdrafted in many fantasy football leagues based on his production through four weeks. The young tight end failed to reach the end zone and has yet to eclipse five catches in a game.
Look for that to change this week, when the Falcons battle the New York Jets on Saturday morning in London. The Jets are decent at defending tight ends, but the inactive status of wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage make Pitts the most-talented pass catching option available for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
I expect a season high in targets for the rookie Saturday in London. He also could reach the end zone for the first time.
Pitts is my No. 11 tight end this week, but should only be in your lineup if you are in a league that requires starting tight ends and if you are desperate for production at the position.
Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah appears to be a candidate for a breakout campaign in 2021. Uzomah ranks 15th in fantasy points amongst tight ends. He scored twice and gained 95 yards on five catches in Week 4.
This week, the Bengals face the Green Bay Packers. The Packers allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends through four weeks. They also allowed either 90 receiving yards or a score to the position in three of their four games.
The Bengals could trail in this game, which will likely lead to more pass attempts. Look for the Packers to put most of their defensive focus on the Bengals outside receiving threats. I expect Uzomah to bring in at least six catches and score Sunday in Cincinnati.
Week 5 fantasy football tight end rankings
1. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. IND
2. Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins at TB
3. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs. BUF
4. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders vs. CHI
5. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions at MIN
6. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys vs. NYG
7. Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills at KC – HOT
8. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at CAR
9. Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. MIA
10. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers at AZ
11. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. NYJ
12. C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals vs. GB
13. Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers vs. CLE
14. Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts at BAL
15. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots at HOU
16. Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers at CIN
17. Evan Engram, New York Giants at DAL
18. Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns at LAC
19. Noah Fant, Denver Broncos at PIT
20. Maxx Williams, Arizona Cardinals vs. SF
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