Who Should I Start? Trey McBride or Tucker Kraft

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.

Monday, November 3, 12:07 PM

Tests on Monday confirmed that Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (knee) suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee in Sunday's Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's a massive blow to the Packers and fantasy managers, as Kraft was in the midst of a breakout campaign in 2025. The 25-year-old former third-round pick will now finish his third year in the NFL with 32 catches on 44 targets for 489 yards and six touchdowns in eight games played. Kraft was coming off a massive seven-catch, 143-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Week 8 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Kraft now done for the year, Luke Musgrave becomes a waiver-wire target for fantasy managers in need of help at the TE position. Receivers Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden should also see more targets in the passing game going forward.