Week 9 Fantasy PPR Rankings: Tight end

Matt Lutovsky

Week 9 Fantasy PPR Rankings: Tight end image

There actually are some key differences between our standard fantasy tight end rankings and our Week 9 TE PPR rankings, and it comes in the form of a high-floor vs. high-ceiling argument. Zach Ertz and Mark Andrews have both disappointed lately, but we know they're integral to their teams' respective offenses. However, both have unfavorable matchups this week. Conversely, Greg Olsen, T.J. Hockenson, Vance McDonald, Jack Doyle, and Eric Ebron have proven to have low floors, but they all have matchups with teams in the top eight in fantasy points per game allowed to TEs. Who would you rather start?

For most owners, this is simply a thought experiment. It's possible you have more than one of these TEs, but it's more likely you have no choice but to start the only one you own. If anything, you're just happy some of these mid-tier tight ends have better outlooks this week. If you have Ertz (vs. Bears) or Andrews (vs. Patriots), it's unlikely you're going to sit them despite their poor showings in recent weeks. Ertz, in particular, is worrisome, as his catches are down and Dallas Goedert is siphoning more targets, especially in the red zone. Still, are you really going to take a chance on a waiver-wire sleeper over someone who was probably your third- or fourth-round pick? 

WEEK 9 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

As you can see in our rankings, we're slotting the perceived "higher-floor" TEs, or, more accurately, the more proven TEs, ahead of the favorable-matchup, boom-or-bust players. The extra two or three catches Ertz and Andrews could get won't help them outscore, say, Hockenson or McDonald, if they get into the end zone, but the risk-reward balance swings toward the usually higher-volume players.

WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS: Running backWide receiver

As far as deep sleepers, the matchups are also favorable for Noah Fant (vs. Browns) and Luke Willson (vs. Buccaneers), but in PPR, they're even riskier because of their TD-or-bust natures. Jonnu Smith (@ Panthers) is interesting if Delanie Walker (ankle) is once again out, as he should see a bunch of targets again. He might actually be underranked here, so don't be afraid to start him, especially if you had Walker.

WEEK 9: Waiver wire | FAAB planner | Trade valuesSnap counts

Reminder: Check back for updates during the week. For individual TE player analysis, check our standard TE rankings.

WEEK 9 DFS LINEUPS:
Y! cash | Y! GPP | DK cash | DK GPP | FD cash | FD GPP

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Week 9 PPR Rankings: TEs

MORE WEEK 9 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup builder

These rankings are for full-point PPR leagues.

Rank Player
1George Kittle, SF @ ARZ
2Darren Waller, OAK vs. DET
3Evan Engram, NYG vs. DAL
4Travis Kelce, KC vs. MIN
5Hunter Henry, LAC vs. GB
6Zach Ertz, PHI vs. CHI
7Mark Andrews, BAL vs. NE
8Greg Olsen, CAR vs. TEN
9T.J. Hockenson, DET @ OAK
10Vance McDonald, PIT vs. IND
11Jack Doyle, IND @ PIT
12Cameron Brate, TB @ SEA
13Eric Ebron, IND @ PIT
14Jonnu Smith, TEN @ CAR
15Darren Fells, HOU vs. JAX (in UK)
16Noah Fant, DEN vs. CLE
17Jimmy Graham, GB @ LAC
18Chris Herndon, NYJ @ MIA
19Luke Willson, SEA vs. TB
20Benjamin Watson, NE @ BAL
21Jason Witten, DAL @ NYG
22Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. CHI
23Kyle Rudolph, MIN @ KC
24Tyler Kroft, BUF vs. WAS
25Irv Smith Jr., MIN @ KC
26Demetrius Harris, CLE @ DEN
27Ricky Seals-Jones, CLE @ DEN
28Mike Gesicki, MIA vs. NYJ
29Trey Burton, CHI @ PHI
30Jeremy Sprinkle, WAS @ BUF

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.