usatoday
The tight end position in fantasy football remains a volatile and frustrating area, as the first four weeks of the 2026 NFL season have demonstrated. Even managers who thought they had a reliable starter are now dealing with weekly unpredictability. Tyler Warren exemplifies this inconsistency, as consistent production at the position is rare. The number of trustworthy tight ends is small and appears to be shrinking each week.
Only Brock Bowers, George Kittle, and Trey McBride can be confidently started without hesitation. Beyond them, numerous uncertainties exist. For most managers, selecting the right tight end each week has become a tiresome cycle of analyzing matchups, tracking targets, and relying on touchdowns. These decisions are made even harder in Week 5, with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs on bye, further reducing the player pool.
Still, a new week offers new chances. Whether managers are considering a borderline starter, looking at a waiver-wire addition, or simply hoping to avoid a dud, the following recommendations are designed to help. Below is an analysis of the Week 5 tight end start 'em and sit 'em options.
Start 'Em
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Thursday Night Football)
Ferguson's two-touchdown performance in Week 2 may be his ceiling, but the Thursday night game against Tampa Bay could give him his best opportunity to match it. He is clearly the third or fourth option in Dallas's passing game, behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. However, Ferguson remains a favored red-zone target for Dak Prescott. His limited targets can be problematic in some matchups and make him heavily dependent on touchdowns, but the Cowboys are expected to dominate at home and create many scoring chances. Dallas has the third-highest implied team total of the week at 28 points, suggesting multiple touchdown opportunities. The Buccaneers have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game (14.7) to tight ends over the first month. Ferguson is a viable starter this week.
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
At 31, Gesicki is off to a solid start in 2026, ranking as TE12 through four games. He now faces a favorable Week 5 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, a game in which the Bengals might be without Ja'Marr Chase (concussion) and Tee Higgins (adductor). The Dolphins defense has given up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends. Michael Mayer and George Kittle each finished as TE7 in their respective weeks against Miami; Travis Kelce had a TE11 finish, and TJ Hockenson recently exploited them for a TE1 finish. Gesicki is among the top streaming options for Week 5. The key factor to watch is the health of Chase and Higgins. If they are out or limited, Gesicki becomes a must-start.
Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns
Sadiq was the top tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft and the only player at his position taken in the first round in April. He is an exceptional athlete at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, capable of being a vertical threat—as shown by his combine performance, where he set the tight end record with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash and tied the record for vertical jump at 43.5 inches. He displayed that ability for the first time in Week 3 in Detroit, catching seven of eight targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. The Jets were an ideal landing spot for the 21-year-old, given the open target competition behind Garrett Wilson. Mason Taylor remains out with a thumb injury, and Adonai Mitchell's status is uncertain. The Jets offense struggled in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears, but a home matchup with the Browns on Sunday offers a good bounce-back opportunity.
Isaiah Likely, New York Giants at Washington Commanders
The Giants visit the Commanders on Sunday, and Likely should continue to be a primary target for Jameis Winston. Likely had a team-high 10 targets in Week 2 after Jaxson Dart left with an injury. In Week 3, weather heavily impacted the game plan, as the Giants attempted only 22 passes versus 33 rushing attempts. Likely then recorded a team-high 12 targets in Week 4. Washington is severely injured and has allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2026. Likely is currently overlooked after Dart's injury, but his role in the offense should not be questioned. He can be started with confidence.
Sit 'Em
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
Juwan Johnson has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers this season, but Week 5 looks like a tough spot to chase another big game. The Saints face a Vikings defense that has been one of the league's best through the first month. Minnesota ranks sixth in fantasy points allowed per game to tight ends entering Week 5. Johnson has shown a reliable floor, with at least 53 receiving yards in every game this season and seven-plus targets in three of four contests. However, his recent production should not overshadow the matchup. Brian Flores has his defense playing at an elite level. Johnson will have boom weeks, especially before rookie Jordyn Tyson makes his debut; this just won't be one of them. Johnson should be benched if a safer option is available.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday Night Football)
The Ravens veteran is a tough sell in Week 5, especially if Lamar Jackson misses Sunday night's game against Atlanta. Jackson is dealing with an ankle injury and currently has only an outside chance to play; if he sits, Tyler "Snoop" Huntley is expected to start. That would be a significant downgrade for Andrews, who has already averaged just 37.3 receiving yards per game this season. The matchup itself is also unappealing. Atlanta has been playing excellent defense, allowing the third-lowest dropback success rate in the NFL entering Week 5. The Falcons also have a strong safety group led by veteran Jessie Bates, making life difficult for opposing pass-catchers over the middle. While Atlanta's raw fantasy numbers against tight ends aren't elite, the combination of a strong secondary and a potentially limited Ravens passing attack makes Andrews a risky play. He is a sit for Week 5.
More Fantasy Football Advice
For additional fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em recommendations for Week 5, USA TODAY Sports provides comprehensive coverage:
- Need an edge under center? Check out the best quarterback options to start and sit in Week 5.
- A good running back makes all the difference, while a bad one can cost you. Here's who to start and sit in Week 5.
- The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 5 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.
- Defense (and special teams) can win championships—including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 5.
For more fantasy football analysis, check out the Sports Seriously NFL vodcast.
Originally reported by usatoday.