Fantasy football is basically just a game of high-stakes musical chairs, and by Week 12, the chairs are splintering. Honestly, if you aren't feeling a bit of vertigo looking at the tight end landscape right now, you probably aren't paying attention. We’ve hit that brutal stretch where bye weeks and "minor" hamstrings start to dictate who makes the playoffs and who spends December looking at mock drafts for next year.
The Week 12 tight end rankings look a lot different than they did in September. Remember when we thought Sam LaPorta was a locked-in TE1 every single week? Life comes at you fast.
👉 See also: ACC Football Scores from Yesterday: Why the Silence is Actually Huge News
The Elite Tier: No Questions Asked
There are really only three guys right now who let you sleep soundly at night.
Trey McBride is the absolute sun in the Arizona Cardinals' universe. With Jacoby Brissett under center, McBride has turned into a target vacuum. He’s coming off back-to-back monsters—9 for 127 and 10 for 115. When a guy is seeing 12 targets a game, you don't care who the opponent is. But it just so happens he’s facing a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that ranks 30th against tight ends. It’s almost unfair.
Then there’s George Kittle. The man is a walking highlight reel who also happens to be Brock Purdy’s favorite safety valve. He’s fresh off a two-touchdown performance against Seattle. This week? He gets a Carolina Panthers defense that couldn't stop a light breeze, let alone a 250-pound human who runs like a deer.
Brock Bowers rounds out the "Big Three." Even with the Raiders' quarterback situation being a total mess, Bowers is out here breaking rookie records. He’s essentially a jumbo wide receiver. If you have him, you start him. Period.
Why Hunter Henry is the Week 12 Wildcard
Here is where things get interesting. Most "expert" lists will have Hunter Henry somewhere in the middle, but if you look at the data, he’s a top-five play this week.
New England is heading into a matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are currently the worst-ranked defense in the league against tight ends. They’ve allowed 12 touchdowns to the position already. Twelve! That’s more than some teams have total passing touchdowns.
Henry hasn't been a world-beater lately, but volume is king. He’s averaging about seven targets over his last five starts. With Drake Maye looking more comfortable, Henry is the primary red-zone threat. If you’re looking for a "boom" game from a non-elite name, this is the one.
The "Start at Your Own Risk" Group
Fantasy is often about avoiding the landmines. Dalton Schultz is a name that looks good on paper but feels like a trap this week.
- C.J. Stroud is still sidelined with a concussion.
- Davis Mills is under center.
- The Buffalo Bills allow the fewest PPR points to tight ends in the entire league (around 5.8 per game).
Schultz might see eight targets, but if they only result in 40 yards and zero touchdowns, he’s going to sink your week.
Similarly, Mark Andrews has been a rollercoaster. He’s been incredibly touchdown-dependent since Lamar Jackson returned from his brief injury stint. He only had 32 yards last week. Yeah, he’s scored in three of the last four, but if that touchdown doesn't come, you're looking at a 5-point floor. The Jets' defense is struggling, but they still have the athletes to bracket a veteran like Andrews.
Streaming Gems and Deep Sleepers
If you’re desperate, and let’s be real, most of us are, look at AJ Barner in Seattle.
With the Seahawks often playing from behind, Barner has suddenly become a factor. He just put up 10 catches for 70 yards. That’s elite usage for a guy who was likely on your waiver wire two weeks ago. The Titans are a middle-of-the-pack matchup, but if Sam Darnold continues to check down, Barner is a PPR goldmine.
Theo Johnson for the Giants is another one to watch. Jaxon Dart is back at quarterback, and the last time they played together, Johnson went for 75 yards. Detroit is a high-scoring environment. If the Giants are forced to throw 40 times to keep up, Johnson is going to be the beneficiary of those garbage-time yards we all love so much.
Making the Call for Your Roster
When you're finalizing your lineup for Sunday, don't just look at the names. Look at the defensive tendencies.
Next Steps for Your Week 12 Strategy:
- Check the Weather: Several games in the Midwest are looking windy, which usually funnels targets to short-area tight ends rather than deep-threat receivers.
- Verify the QB: If Jaxon Dart or Brock Purdy have any late-week setbacks, drop their respective tight ends down two spots in your personal rankings.
- Monitor Hunter Henry: He is the highest-upside "cheap" play available in most daily fantasy formats and a must-start in season-long leagues over guys like Dalton Schultz.
- Ignore the "Projected Points": Those numbers are often based on season averages that don't account for recent coaching changes or defensive scheme shifts. Trust the target share and the matchup.
The tight end position is a wasteland, but a little bit of context goes a long way. Stick to the volume, trust the elite guys, and don't be afraid to bench a "big name" for a better matchup.