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Week 4 Tight End Preview: Who Can Fantasy Players Trust?

Top Fantasy TEs for Week 4

Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 4 TE Rankings.

Vikings vs. Steelers

In Dublin, Ireland

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings

Hockenson had his best performance last week catching five passes for 49 yards and a TD. The Vikings were in a blow out and running the ball often, but Hockenson was still involved. The Steelers have given up the second highest TD rate to TDs in the league so far. The return of Jordan Addison could stifle Hockenson a bit, so he is more of a TE2 this week.

Jonnu Smith, Steelers

Smith and Pat Freiermuth are eating into each other’s snaps and routes, making neither a great play. Smith has been efficient catching 12 of 13 targets so far, but he will need a TD to pay off. The Vikings have been solid against TEs so far this year, so Jonnu is a low-end TE2 at best.

Commanders at Falcons

Zach Ertz, Commanders

Ertz enters Week 4 as the No. 7 TE in PPR leagues. He caught 9-of-13 targets for 90 yards and a TD in each of Washington's first two games. Even with Marcus Mariota under center, Ertz remains a strong, top-10 play this week. However, keep in mind that the Falcons boast the league's No. 1 fantasy defense against TEs so far this season.

Kyle Pitts, Falcons

Pitts ranks second among TEs with a 91% route rate. He also ranks seventh with 19 targets and fifth with 15 receptions. That usage makes him a strong weekly option at a position with little depth. This week, Pitts gets a good matchup at home against a Washington defense allowing 13.8 PPR points per game to TEs, which is the 11th-most. 

Saints at Bills

Juwan Johnson, Saints

Among TEs, only Jake Ferguson has topped Johnson in PPR scoring this season. Don’t be on that type of finish in January, but a huge 87% route rate (and 24% target share) suggests TE1 production is sustainable. Johnson should benefit from boosted pass volume, as New Orleans enters as a huge underdog.

Dalton Kincaid, Bills

Kincaid’s delivered for fantasy managers in two of three games. That stretch includes a pair of scores – plus a solid 24.2% target share. His 61% route rate remains suboptimal. But there’s plenty of TD appeal at home against an 0-3 Saints squad. 

Browns at Lions

Sam LaPorta, Lions

LaPorta’s past two weeks combined to fall one target short of his Week 9 total. But that’s gonna be life with the TE in a loaded offense. This week’s matchup with Cleveland has a chance to push some volume toward the passing game. The Browns arrive as the league’s No. 1 rush defense by DVOA after throttling Chase Brown, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs the first three weeks. Of course, LaPorta will remain a volatile option, especially in a game that finds his Lions heavily favored.

David Njoku, Browns

Njoku has remained ahead of rookie teammate Harold Fannin in playing time through three games, and he led the team in targets last week for the first time this season. But Cleveland has featured a different target leader each time out and limited passing production every time. Njoku and Fannin limit each other’s upside, while the strong play of Detroit’s defense so far adds downside risk.

Harold Fannin, Browns

Fannin still leads his team in catches through three weeks, but his targets, receptions, and yards have fallen each of the past two games. The role remains positive vs. his third-round rookie status, but a limited offense plus David Njoku’s presence and a well-performing Detroit defense limit Fannin’s Week 4 appeal.

Titans at Texans

Chig Okonkwo, Titans

Okonkwo has, quietly, been a consistent contributor. He's seen 6 targets in back-to-back games and snagged 3-plus balls in all three of Tennessee's games. However, there's not much upside. Okonkwo has only scored three TDs in his last 37 games. This week is a modest matchup for Okonkwo, making him a low-end TE2 with limited ceiling. 

Dalton Schultz, Texans

Last week, Schultz saw a season-high in targets (6) and receptions (5), but was still held under 9 PPR points. Tennessee defends TEs well, and Schultz hasn't had much success against them. He's averaged just 4.6 PPR points per game in his last three matchups with the Titans. That, and the emergence of Christian Kirk in the slot, make Schultz an unappealing TE2. 

Panthers at Patriots

Hunter Henry, Patriots

Henry caught eight passes last week for 90 yards and 2 TDs. That followed a one-catch game for 9 yards. His inconsistency and TD dependency make him a tough start, but the Panthers are struggling against TEs, giving up 9.7 yards per target, near the bottom of the league. Trust Henry as a top-10 TE option. 

Eagles at Buccaneers

Dallas Goedert, Eagles

Goedert made a quiet return to the lineup last week (two targets, 1 catch). But he jumped back to full playing time (91% snap share). This week sends the Eagles to Tampa to face a defense that perennially plays the run tougher than the pass. The Bucs have limited opponent TE production overall, but they also faced Dalton Schultz and Mason Taylor the past two weeks. Kyle Pitts hit them up for a 7-59 receiving line in Week 1. Goedert’s a fine option on a day that could feature more Philly passing volume.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers

No Mike Evans and a likely limited Chris Godwin present opportunity for Otton vs. Philly. He caught 5+ passes in three straight games last season with Evans and Godwin out. Of course, Godwin is expected to play this time around. And Eagles LB Zack Baun presents a coverage challenge over the middle. So Otton falls well short of being exciting. But he’s an option if you’re reaching for any upside.

Colts at Rams

Tyler Warren, Colts

Warren was listed as questionable for last week’s win over Tennessee. The good news is that he’s now off the injury report to face a Rams defense that hasn’t been tested by TEs this season (Dalton Schultz, Chig Okonkwo, Dallas Goedert). Trust the rookie as a TE1 option.

Jaguars at 49ers

Brenton Strange, Jaguars

Strange ranks second on the Jaguars in snap share (85%), route rate (75%), and target share (16%). He's tied for eighth among TEs with 13 grabs, including 3-plus catches in each of Jacksonville's three contests. This week, he's a mid-range TE2 facing the 49ers, who are allowing 12.9 PPR points per game to opposing TEs. 

Ravens at Chiefs

Mark Andrews, Ravens

Andrews only caught two passes over the first two weeks, but he had six catches for 91 yards and 2 TDs last week. He started slow last year too, but this slow start had Isaiah Likely on the bench for the first three weeks (and he may return this week). Andrews is TD-centric, but a potential shootout should increase his TD odds. He is a low-end TE1. 

Travis Kelce, Chiefs

Kelce just hasn’t produced so far this season. He had seven targets last week, but only caught four for 26 yards. He’s still on the field, but the targets aren’t coming his way. With Xavier Worthy back this week, that target rate could go down even more. The Ravens have allowed 20 catches to TEs so far this season, fifth most in the league. A shootout could get Kelce enough volume to be a low-end TE1.

Isaiah Likely, Ravens

Likely broke out last year against the Chiefs with 111 yards and 2 TDs. But he is returning from a foot injury that may limit his snaps. Likely has some TD upside, but he is only a low-end TE2 until we get a sense of his full role.

Bears at Raiders

Brock Bowers, Raiders

Bowers hasn't looked right the past two weeks and will continue to wear a knee brace for a couple more games, according to HC Pete Carroll. Bowers has been a full-go in practice this week for the first time since getting hurt in Week 1, though, so he's making progress. Keep him locked into fantasy lineups for Sunday's game against a Bears defense that can't stop anything. Chicago ranks 29th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to TEs and just coughed up a huge game to Jake Ferguson.

Cole Kmet, Bears

Kmet has run a route on 75% of Bears pass plays this season -- and 79% last week when TE Colston Loveland left early in the game with a hip injury. If Loveland misses Week 4, Kmet should again get ample playing time. But he's been targeted on just 8% of his routes so far, so it's tough to trust him as spot starter. The Raiders have also been the ninth-toughest matchup for opposing TEs by our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

Packers at Cowboys

Tucker Kraft, Packers

Kraft entered last week questionable with a knee injury suffered during the practice week. But he still played almost as large a snap share as he did the first two weeks (88% vs. 91-92%). And he hasn’t missed practices this week. That should make Kraft a fine play in a high-ceiling matchup with an awful Dallas pass defense. The Cowboys allowed passing explosions to the Giants and Bears the past two weeks. And Kraft showed us in Week 2 how high his ceiling can climb.

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

Ferguson became the short-range binky for Dak Prescott after CeeDee Lamb left last week’s game early. That marked the second straight week of 12+ targets and 9+ catches for the TE. Expect him to prove vital again this Sunday when Dallas (still without Lamb) faces an abusive Green Bay pass rush.

Jets at Dolphins

Darren Waller, Dolphins

Waller isn’t a lock to make his 2025 debut on Monday night. If he does, though, HC Mike McDaniel has already signaled it won’t be in a full-time role. Continue to take a wait-and-see approach with the veteran TE.

Bengals at Broncos

Evan Engram, Broncos

Engram's Broncos career has started with underwhelming playing time and a pair of injuries. He's set to return for Monday night's game vs. the Bengals after missing Week 3 with a back issue, but we'll need to see much more from Engram before trusting him in fantasy lineups.

Mike Gesicki, Bengals

TE Noah Fant will likely miss Monday night's game with a concussion, which should mean more routes and targets for Gesicki. That'd make him a potential TE1 spot starter ... if he had QB Joe Burrow. But with the Jake Browning-led Bengals implied for just 18.25 points in Denver, you're betting off avoiding Gesicki.

Next Up

Week 4 Matchups That Matter: Smash Spots For Rookie RBs

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Jared Smola, Lead Analyst

Jared has been with Draft Sharks since 2007. He’s now Lead Analyst, heading up the preseason and weekly projections that fuel your Draft War Room and in-season tools. He currently ranks ninth among 173 analysts in draft rankings accuracy.