Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Cade Stover

Saturday, December 20, 4:02 PM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride remains a top fantasy option despite a difficult matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. On paper, it may appear that the odds are stacked against McBride. Not only is he facing a Falcons defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but he could also face additional competition if Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel, questionable) returns from his two-game absence. However, McBride has consistently established himself as matchup-proof this year, so he should feast despite facing Atlanta. Furthermore, he could still lead the team in targets and catches, even if Harrison does return to the mix. In total this year, the 26-year-old has 105 catches, 1,071 yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He is on track to finish this year as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues after finishing 2024 as the TE2. McBride has especially benefited from the presence of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. In full-PPR leagues, he averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game with Kyler Murray (foot) as the starter, and a whopping 23.3 fantasy points per game with Brissett as the starter. We should expect more otherworldly, video-game numbers from McBride this week. He's the undisputed TE1 in this week's fantasy rankings and should be a must-start as the fantasy playoffs continue.

Saturday, December 6, 6:57 AM

Houston Texans tight end Cade Stover had a new role in Week 13, serving as the team's short-yardage specialist and taking four carries for three yards in addition to catching both of his targets for 16 yards as the team's second tight end. Stover's four carries came on 3rd- or 4th-and-one situations, and he converted two of the four chances for first downs. Three of the carries came in the red zone, and he has the potential to score a short-yardage touchdown in the package if the opportunity arises in the coming weeks. Stover has played three games this season and has six catches for 38 yards, so he's a little involved in the passing game as well. The second-year tight end from Ohio State is only the No. 48 TE in RotoBaller's rankings in Week 14 against the Chiefs, so he can be left on the waiver wire in most formats, but it is interesting that he's getting short-yardage work since it does raise his potential production.