Week 12 Fantasy Football Rankings: TE, K, DEF

Dalton Schultz looks for another TE1 outing, Taysom Hill returns from bye vs. the Falcons, and Isaiah Likely settles into Mark Andrews’ shoes.

Other positions: Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver

Updated 11/25 at 10:00 AM ET. Added Gerald Everett.

Week 12 Tight Ends

TE Notes: I don’t usually write about Travis Kelce because what is there to say, but it’s certainly notable he’s been held under 60 yards three straight starts as Patrick Mahomes struggles to find viable targets. Kelce does remain efficient for a tight end from a yards per route run perspective. This seems like a slump that should snap against the Raiders. … Not even the return of Justin Jefferson would be enough to knock T.J. Hockenson from the top three at tight end. His “easy mode” targets are too valuable for backup QB Josh Dobbs. … Rarely does a plan goes as well as “surely the Bills will have to target Dalton Kincaid with Dawson Knox on the shelf.” No. 2 in tight end receptions (26) and fourth in TE yardage (243) over the past month, Kincaid has a glorious matchup in the Eagles’ pass-leaky defense. … The TE3 by average points despite his relative lack of targets, George Kittle’s big plays are too difficult to ignore in this part of the board.

The three tight ends to outgain Dalton Kincaid over the past month are Kelce, Hock and … Trey McBride. You could rank McBride TE3 overall and not be wrong. The Rams are not a foreboding Week 12 matchup. … As Jacob Gibbs and Jakob Sanderson point out, Sam LaPorta’s targets have taken a hit with the Lions’ backfield back at full strength. He is still receiving enough high-value touches and raw overall looks to remain in the mid-range TE1 ranks, but TE3/4 seems a bit ambitious for the time being. … Dalton Schultz has no idea why you are still writing checks, but he will gladly cash them in points per reception formats. … The poorest man’s George Kittle, Cole Kmet pops up for volume and big plays at irregular intervals. That did not include last month against the Vikings, but everyone’s least favorite TE1 has earned weekly top-12 treatment. … The TE5 by both total and average PPR points over the past three weeks, Jake Ferguson has a dreamy Turkey Day matchup against the Commanders.

Taysom Hill finally rolled snake eyes in Week 10. He’ll be back at the table following the Saints’ bye. The Falcons permit the sixth most “tight end” fantasy points. … Evan Engram was already struggling for ceiling. It’s possible his floor can’t withstand the healthy return of Zay Jones. … At least for one week, David Njoku was Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s checkdown target du jour. For whatever reason, the Broncos surrender the most tight end fantasy points. … Did you miss Kyle Pitts? The Saints are an unlikely spiked week spot but perhaps embattled coach Arthur Smith will come out of his open date realizing he should target his best players. … Pat Freiermuth was a one-catch disaster in his Week 11 return. For Week 12 you can place a TE2 bet on post-Matt Canada improvement and a big-play allowing Bengals defense. … Fantasy managers are excited to dust off their Isaiah Likely optimism, but there is ample reason to believe Mark Andrews’ lost targets will first filter to Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers. Likely has always played a lot in Andrews’ absence. Produce? That’s another story.

Week 12 Kickers

Week 12 Defense/Special Teams