9) Sam LaPorta vs. Vikings
The Lions enter this game against Minnesota after having a week off for their bye. LaPorta is involved, along with Jameson Williams, as the secondary pass-catching options from week to week for Jared Goff after Amon-Ra St. Brown. The targets may be inconsistent, but I believe he should bounce back to around 6 targets like he had in weeks 5 and 6, before dropping to just 3 in week 7. In those weeks, his 6 targets were enough to give him 5 receptions and a touchdown in each game, placing him easily within the top ten at the position. Unless you have another option listed above, LaPorta is about as reliable a tight end option as you can find.
10) Kyle Pitts Sr. vs. Patriots
Pitts was heavily involved last week with Kirk Cousins under center, but that likely had more to do with Drake London’s absence than the change at quarterback. Hopefully, Michael Penix will return this week, but that remains uncertain as he has been limited in practice while working his way back from a knee injury. Drake London has also been limited due to the hip injury that caused him to miss Week 8 for the Falcons and will be a game-time decision this weekend as Atlanta faces the first-place Patriots. Pitts is set up for a solid matchup against a New England defense ranked 29th DVOA against the tight end position, in a game script that should have the Falcons throwing throughout all four quarters. Pitts has always had the talent to be an elite fantasy option, and he may actually be working his way back into the conversation this season. Start him this week unless you have other options above.
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