Fantasy Football Week 10 Tight End Start Decision: Mike Gesicki, Mark Andrews, Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Trey McBride and More

After putting together a quarterback start decision, the biggest start/sit decisions involving Thursday night players are at the tight end position, so let’s talk about them.

We’ll pit Mike Gesicki and Mark Andrews up against T.J. Hockenson, Sam LaPorta, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Kyle Pitts, Trey McBride, Dallas Goedert and Jake Ferguson.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Season Stats

Gesicki has 353 yards and two touchdowns on 30 receptions and 36 targets this season. He’s scored in double figures for fantasy points in two straight games, and is coming off his best outing in week 9. Gesicki has been a better fantasy performer with Tee Higgins out of the lineup, and Higgins is doubtful for Thursday’s game.

Andrews has 289 yards and four scores on 24 catches and 29 targets. He’s coming off a poor fantasy outing, but had four games in double digits before that. Isaiah Likely won’t be active on Thursday, meaning Andrews has a clearer path to fantasy production.

Hockenson had 27 yards on three grabs and four targets in his first game of the season in week 9. He played just 45% of the offensive snaps, but that should improve in time.

LaPorta has just 300 yards and two scores on 22 catches and 26 targets for the season. His only double-digit fantasy outings this season have been when he’s caught a touchdown.

Henry has 414 yards and a score on 39 receptions and 53 targets. He’s scored in double figures in four straight games, and has at least five catches and six targets in three straight.

Smith is up to 302 yards and a touchdown on 30 catches and 40 targets. He’s scored in double figures in three of the past four games. Smith has at least six targets in those four games.

Pitts has 430 yards and three scores on 30 receptions and 43 targets. He’s coming off a fantasy dud, but scored in double figures the previous four weeks. 

McBride has 481 yards, but no touchdowns, on 45 grabs and 60 targets this season. He has scored in double digits in five straight contests.

Goedert is working his way back from a hamstring injury, but is trending up as the practice week begins. He has 301 yards, but no scores, on 24 receptions and 29 targets. He scored in double figures in weeks 3 and 4 before getting injured early in week 6.

Ferguson now has 334 yards, but no touchdowns, on 38 receptions and 52 targets this season. He scored in double figures last week, but missed the mark the two weeks before that.

Week 10 Matchups

Gesicki and Andrews square off on Thursday night. It’s a favorable matchup for Andrews, as Cincinnati’s defense gives up 15 fantasy points per week to opposing tight ends. It’s a slightly above-average test for Gesicki, as Baltimore allows 13 points per week. 

Goedert and Ferguson are also part of the same game this week. It’s a below-average matchup for both guys, as Dallas allows 10 fantasy points and Philly eight.

Hockenson takes on the Jaguars, who give up 13 points a week. LaPorta faces the Texans, who give up only six points - that’s the toughest matchup on paper.

Henry faces the Bears, who are an average matchup. Chicago allows 12 points per week. The Rams are an above-average matchup for Smith, with LA allowing 15 points a week.

Pitts takes on the Saints, who are an average matchup for TEs and allow 11 points per week. McBride has a tougher test against the Jets, with New York giving up nine points.

Projections and Starting Recommendations

McBride is projected for 13 PPR fantasy points, the most among this group of tight ends. Ferguson is projected for 11 points, while Pitts and Andrews are at 10 each. 

Hockenson, Henry, Smith, LaPorta and Gesicki all check in at eight fantasy points. Goedert sits at six points, but that could also increase if he’s cleared to play.

This is a tricky group of tight ends to assess. There’s some underachievers this season to consider, along with some injured TEs (and some other big-time injuries on some of their rosters). Here’s what I came up with:

As long as Higgins is out on Thursday night, I’m taking a gamble and playing Gesicki over everyone else. He’s coming off a big game and usually produces in the games Higgins isn’t a part of. You can see more of why I like Gesicki in the Thursday night starting options story.

I’d take McBride next. The matchup isn’t the best, but he’s been pretty solid of late. I take him over the next guys because of his higher ceiling.

I’d take Pitts here. Last week was disappointing, but he’d been rolling before that. I think he gets back on track this week.

Give me Andrews here. Not having Likely to contend with is big, but I’m not super high on him because of the possible emergence of Diontae Johnson tonight.

I’d take Hockenson here. I think the Vikings will keep expanding the workload for him as weeks pass, and the matchup is favorable enough to give him a start.

I like Smith after that. Again, a really favorable matchup is calling me here, and I think Smith will put up solid numbers on Monday night.

I’d take Henry here. I’m usually higher on Henry than most, and am again this week. He’s another sneaky good starting option, and in a pretty good matchup.

I’d have Ferguson here. I’m nervous about him with no Dak Prescott around. The matchup is also tough. I’d do my best to avoid him in starting lineups.

LaPorta slots in here for me. He’s underperformed all season, and now has a brutal matchup ahead. I’d also try to avoid playing him.

Goedert takes the final spot for me, but that’s because of his injury concern. If he’s cleared, but limited, I’d take him last. If he has no limitations and A.J. Brown is out with his injury, Goedert would slide up behind Hockenson.