Who Should I Start? Mark Andrews or Pat Freiermuth

Saturday, October 4, 2:44 PM

After recording just two catches over the first two weeks of the season, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has 13 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns across his last two games. Unfortunately for Andrews, he'll be catching passes from backup quarterback Cooper Rush instead of Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who will miss Week 5 with a hamstring injury. The Ravens also have a tough matchup against the Houston Texans, whose defense has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (790) and second-fewest number of passing touchdowns (three) in the NFL. Finally, there's the possibility that Andrews will lose playing time with Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely getting closer to full strength after missing the first three weeks of the season. In Likely's first game in the lineup in Week 4, Andrews played 56% of Baltimore's offensive snaps after playing at least 75% of the snaps in each of the first three weeks. Andrews should be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 5.

Friday, September 26, 9:13 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has been quiet to start the season and will look to get back on track against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4. While the Vikings have been middle-of-the-pack against opposing tight ends through three weeks, Freiermuth could see a boost in opportunities given Pittsburgh's injury report. Fellow tight end Jonnu Smith (hip) and running back Jaylen Warren (knee) are questionable to suit up after practicing in a limited capacity on Friday. Each has been a reliable short-area target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, so if either of them misses this international bout in Ireland, Freiermuth would likely absorb some of those looks. Fantasy managers should monitor the situation, but in a matchup that projects to be low-scoring, Freiermuth remains a risky play and is best considered a stash or backup option.