Who Should I Start? Pat Freiermuth or Ben Sinnott

Saturday, December 20, 1:33 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth was effective in Week 15, catching three passes for 45 yards, and will hope to stay involved in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. Though the Lions have struggled against the pass this season, the majority of production they have allowed has come from opposing wide receivers. Still, this isn't necessarily a matchup to avoid, especially given the game's healthy projected point total. The concern for Freiermuth remains his volatile role, as Pittsburgh continues to split opportunities fairly evenly among him, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers in deep formats who are desperate at the position could look to stream Freiermuth in hopes of a touchdown, but the 27-year-old should be left on waiver wires in most redraft leagues.

Thursday, December 18, 7:22 PM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott played a season high 58.6% of the snaps and ran 38.5% of the routes in the Week 15 win over the New York Giants, with Zach Ertz (knee) now out for the season with a torn ACL. The second-year tight end caught his lone target for an explosive 36-yard gain on the team's second-to-last drive of the game. Sinnott ran a crisp route to create separation versus Giants safety Jevon Holland and hauled in the catch before picking up some yards after the catch. Sinnott was still behind John Bates in both snaps (69%) and routes (50%), so the young tight end is still looking to earn the full-time role as the receiving tight end with Ertz sidelined. His usage should continue to tick up on Saturday against the Eagles, with Washington eliminated from playoff contention. With third-string TE Colson Yankoff (ankle) ruled out, Sinnott could see more snaps with the Commanders thin at tight end, but he is a risky fantasy option in Week 16, profiling more as a desperation TE2 in deep leagues.