Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or T.J. Hockenson

Saturday, November 1, 1:21 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith has seen underwhelming utilization this season and will hope to turn things around at home against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9. The Colts have allowed the fourth-most receptions and fifth-most fantasy points per contest to opposing tight ends, opening the door for Smith to contribute in this matchup. Still, it remains difficult to predict how opportunities will be distributed among the crowded Steelers' tight end room. Between Smith, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington, Smith is the most viable fantasy option, but none can be relied upon with confidence. The 30-year-old checks in as the TE21 in RotoBaller's Week 9 rankings.

Friday, November 7, 5:59 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson should be considered a low-end TE2 option with his team taking on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10. The veteran burned his former team, the Detroit Lions, with a touchdown catch last week, but Minnesota completed only 14 passes for 143 yards behind first-time starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, albeit in a big victory. The Ravens currently rank 10th against half-PPR tight ends, and Baltimore has held its past three opponents to an average of 13 points. In McCarthy's three starts this year, Hockenson has a total of 10 targets, and there could be more bumps in the road with what is effectively a rookie quarterback learning on the fly. Hockenson is still a distant third in the Vikings' passing game pecking order behind receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, so relying upon the tight end is a tough sell this week.