Just in case you missed every NFL Week 8 broadcast or highlight reel, this past Sunday was National Tight Ends Day — a “holiday.”
The moniker was first coined by Jimmy Garoppolo in 2018. It happened during a win over the Lions, after touchdowns by Garrett Celek and George Kittle. According multiple reports, Kittle recalled the trio yapping it up on the sidelines when Jimmy G. said, “What is it? National Tight Ends Day?” And thus, a holiday was born.
Everywhere you looked Sunday, someone brought it up, and in almost every game, a tight end was celebrating in the end zone at some point. In total, 14 tight ends scored touchdowns — with Kyle Pitts and Cade Otton breaking plane twice.
For those fantasy managers who invested heavily in the position, it was euphoric. But is this a sign of things to come, or a one-off week that happens to coincide with a makeshift holiday?
If you drafted one of the top tight ends, you were finally rewarded. Pitts’ two touchdowns were an act of vindication for many, and Kittle’s 128 receiving yards capped off the day in style.
Four of the preseason top five found the end zone, and though Trey McBride didn’t score, nine catches for 124 yards is a pretty strong stat-line for a position most fantasy managers prefer to dismiss.
But the real question is how much of this is actually sustainable? Players like Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and now, after three straight weeks with a touchdown and finally leading Ravens tight ends in snaps, Mark Andrews are automatic starts each week. But where do we stand on the mid-tier tight ends?
Otton and David Njoku are probably the two best candidates to maintain their current level of play. With no Mike Evans or Chris Godwin, Baker Mayfield needs to lock onto someone with consistency, and Otton certainly fills that vacancy.
With Jameis Winston now slinging the rock in Cleveland, Njoku is likely to see more quality targets than he saw in any preceding game. Both were in extremely favorable matchups, but a quick glance at the upcoming schedule shows equally soft matchups ahead. Tucker Kraft and Evan Engram also have sustainability.
But the rest of the position remains matchup-based, at best. Mike Gesicki did well, but only in the absence of Tee Higgins. Adam Trautman wishes he could face Carolina every week, and if you had no idea who Nate Adkins or Brock Wright were before Sunday, don’t bother learning.
But there is additional hope on the horizon. Both T.J. Hockenson and Dallas Goedert are expected to return in Week 9. Goedert will see the defensively challenged Jaguars, and Hockenson will face the Colts, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Maybe you can get away with Noah Fant against the Rams.
Add them to the list of aforementioned tight ends and you’ve got yourself a top 12, even with Kittle on a bye. Anyone else you roster, start those tight end prayers now.
Betting on the NFL?
- Read our expert guide on how to bet on the NFL
- Check out the best NFL betting sites
- Get the BetMGM Bonus Code
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.
