Fantasy managers continue to reassess the tight end position each week, and Week 9 is no exception. Using a 12 PPR points-per-game benchmark for must-start status, six tight ends have met that threshold year-to-date: Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Isaiah Likely, George Kittle, Tyler Warren, and Sam LaPorta. Harold Fannin and Travis Kelce sit just below the line but remain in the conversation.
Kyle Pitts Concerns
Over the past month, Colston Loveland (14.0 PPR), Kyle Pitts (13.5), and Tucker Kraft (13.1) have joined the elite group while LaPorta has fallen out. Since Michael Penix took over at quarterback, Pitts averages 10.5 PPR fantasy points per game, but that production is heavily touchdown-dependent. In the same span, he ranks 13th in receptions and 18th in yards among tight ends despite playing every game. His yardage equals that of AJ Barner and his catch total matches Dallas Goedert, who has appeared in only four of the last six weeks. Consequently, Pitts is no longer viewed as a must-start option and sits outside the top 12 for Week 9.
Key Statistics
Several numbers highlight the Week 9 landscape: LaPorta still ranks second among tight ends with eight red-zone targets; Kelce posted 11.7 PPR points in Week 8, his best since September; Terrance Ferguson held a 26.7% target-per-route rate earlier this season; Fannin has run 259 routes, second only to McBride; Loveland has seen 28 targets in three games since Caleb Williams returned; and Eli Raridon played a season-high 91.7% of snaps in Week 8.
Waiver Wire Targets
Two streamers stand out: Eli Raridon (NE) could step into Hunter Henry's role after Henry's foot injury, offering a favorable matchup against Green Bay; Dalton Schultz (HOU) provides a solid bye-week replacement with touchdown upside in a matchup versus the Chargers.
DFS Recommendations
George Kittle is the top DFS play against the Raiders, projected for 14.1 points with the best matchup and highest implied point total among the elite trio. He has scored at least 16 PPR points in five of his last six games. As a contrarian option, Greg Dulcich (MIA) faces a Detroit defense allowing 27.1 PPR fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends and has recorded at least five targets in four straight games.
Full Week 9 projections for every position are available via Sportsline, with updates throughout the week.
