As fantasy football heads into the final stretch, tight ends are surprisingly stepping up their game. Names like Jonnu Smith, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, and David Njoku are proving to be critical assets for fantasy owners. Although the roster of effective tight ends differs from preseason predictions, the depth at this position is starting to shine through in Week 14.

This guide breaks down the top 20 tight ends you should either start or sit, categorizing them into must-start, strong start, preferred streamer, and desperation start. Additionally, we’ll highlight the tight ends facing favorable or unfavorable matchups this week, crucial for those aiming to bolster their playoff chances.

Must-Starts

1. Brock Bowers 2. Trey McBride 3. George Kittle 4. Travis Kelce 5. David Njoku 6. Jonnu Smith 7. Sam LaPorta

Strong Starts

8. T.J. Hockenson 9. Jake Ferguson 10. Evan Engram

Preferred Streamers

11. Tucker Kraft 12. Dalton Kincaid 13. Cade Otton 14. Will Dissly 15. Pat Freiermuth

Desperation Starts

16. Mike Gesicki 17. Cole Kmet 18. Juwan Johnson 19. Kyle Pitts 20. Grant Calcaterra

Matchups to Upgrade

Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions)