Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Cade Otton

Friday, October 31, 4:34 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson should be viewed as a TE2 option when he takes on his former team, the Detroit Lions, in Week 9. It's been a disappointing season so far for Hockenson, who hasn't quite looked the same since an ACL tear in late 2023 and now ranks as the No. 22 fantasy tight end at the halfway point of this season. None of the Vikings played well in a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, but Hockenson had just three targets, two catches, and 26 yards receiving. The veteran tight end and the Vikings will now turn back to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed the past five games with an ankle injury. In McCarthy's two starts this year, Hockenson had just four catches for 27 yards, and both of those took place before receiver Jordan Addison returned from a suspension. With the Vikings struggling and Hockenson set to be the team's third option, at best, he should be played only in formats that start two tight ends.

Friday, October 31, 11:02 AM

With his team dealing with multiple wide receiver injuries, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton seemingly had a golden opportunity to emerge as a heavy target-earner in Week 8 against the New Orleans Saints. Instead, Otton turned in a modest performance, recording four catches for 40 yards on five targets. Tampa Bay will remain without Mike Evans (collarbone) following its Week 9 bye, but wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) could make his return in Week 10 against the New England Patriots. Star running back Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) could also be back in the mix, which would likely take some short-area targets away from Otton. Otton should still provide a relatively stable floor for fantasy managers when Tampa Bay returns from its bye, but he may have missed his highest-upside window of the season.