Who Should I Start? Theo Johnson or Harold Fannin Jr.

Tuesday, October 7, 10:26 PM

New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson is a risky, touchdown-dependent stream for the Thursday night matchup, despite his emergence as a key red-zone weapon. Johnson, the TE16 in fantasy with 7.08 fantasy points per game, has found the end zone three times this year, a figure made remarkable by the fact that rookie QB Jaxson Dart's only career touchdown passes have all gone to the tight end. This connection is vital, as Johnson operates with a high 75.4% snap share on his 15 receptions and 22 targets, but the Philadelphia Eagles present a brutal challenge. They rank as the 4th toughest fantasy defense against tight ends, allowing just 7.82 points against per game. Furthermore, the Eagles' elite 3rd-ranked red zone defense, which boasts a 42.9% Defense Red Zone TD Rate, significantly lowers the odds of Johnson continuing his unsustainable touchdown pace, making him a desperation play.

Tuesday, October 7, 7:20 PM

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. continued his hot start to the season in a Week 5 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. Fannin caught all four of his targets for 13 yards and a touchdown. The rookie tight end gave fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel his first NFL passing touchdown with a one-yard grab in the first quarter. Fannin has now caught 21 passes for 173 yards and one touchdown through five games as he has established himself as a top target in Cleveland. He will now head on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 6. The Steelers have been quite generous to tight ends this season, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position through four games. Fannin is looking like a low-end TE1 heading into Week 6.