Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Kyle Pitts Sr.

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.

Tuesday, November 4, 10:48 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. drew another seven targets in Week 9's 24-23 loss to the Patriots, converting them into four catches for 38 yards. While his continued involvement in the passing attack has been a welcome change compared to the underwhelming production of the past few seasons, it hasn't amounted to much for fantasy, as the 25-year-old has just a single touchdown on the season. Also, although he's on pace for 91 receptions, which would obliterate his previous career high of 68, the 6-foot-6 tight end is pacing for 812 yards, which would be more than last season's 602 yards but would fall well short of his career high of 1,026 that was set in his rookie season of 2021. Still, with two more red zone targets this past Sunday, the fifth-year pro could be on the verge of his big breakout performance of 2025, and he'll get a favorable matchup against the Colts in Germany this week versus a defense that's yielded a touchdown to an opposing tight end for four straight weeks now.