Who Should I Start? T.J. Hockenson or Pat Freiermuth

Monday, October 20, 10:27 PM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was among the many at U.S. Bank Stadium who was not thrilled that his apparent fourth-quarter touchdown catch was overturned by replay on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. The big tight end made an acrobatic play in which he caught the ball in the air, though it came in contact with the ground while in his hands as he fell to the turf. He juggled as he turned over, regathered, and stayed in bounds, but replay determined the play -- called a touchdown on the field -- should be overturned. "New York can't call in and say it's not a catch when every other ref out there says it is," Hockenson told reporters after the game. "That's all there is to it. It's just crazy." Hockenson finished with a solid six catches for 49 yards, but the touchdown that wasn't surely irked a few fantasy managers as well.

Friday, October 17, 12:29 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth caught four of his five targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns during Thursday's Week 7 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. His touchdowns came on 19-yard and 68-yard receptions, the latter of which gave Pittsburgh a late lead (that they would ultimately relinquish). Freiermuth had not yet posted a fantasy performance with more than 6.1 fantasy points this season (PPR), so Thursday's breakout was admittedly unexpected. It should give fantasy managers optimism moving forward, but there's no denying that the 26-year-old continues to face competition at the tight end position. Fellow tight ends Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington each scored touchdowns on Thursday night, too, offering Aaron Rodgers plenty of options when he's looking to target big, physical receivers in the passing game. As a result, managers should view Freiermuth as a low-end TE2 for Week 8.