Introduction: Why these week 13 TE rankings matter
The stretch run is here, and every lineup decision matters. If you play fantasy football, these week 13 TE rankings will help you decide who to start, who to stream, and which tight end sleepers to target on the waiver wire. Tight ends often swing matchups because of scarce depth and volatile usage; a single red zone touchdown can win you a week. Read on for practical tips, matchup-based start ’em/sit ’em guidance, and clear advice for both PPR and standard scoring leagues.
How we evaluate tight ends for week 13 (methodology)
Ranking tight ends isn’t just about name recognition. We weigh several factors to produce reliable TE rankings for Week 13:
- Target share and targets per game: A TE’s weekly floor is closely tied to how many targets they see. Higher target volume equals steadier points, especially in PPR formats.
- Red zone usage and touchdowns: Tight ends are often red zone favorites. We factor in red zone targets and history in scoring opportunities.
- Matchup strength: Some defenses struggle vs. tight ends; others lock them down. Matchup context drives start/sit decisions.
- Snap share and route participation: True pass-game workhorses route nearly every snap. Snap share informs reliability.
- Injury reports and practice participation: Last-minute injuries and limited practices can change rankings quickly; check the injury report before kickoff.
- Scoring format: We separate PPR (Point Per Reception) vs. standard scoring guidance where relevant.
Example: A tight end seeing 6–8 targets per game with heavy red zone involvement and a 70%+ snap share will generally rank higher than a name with a big ceiling but inconsistent usage.
Top TE rankings for week 13: Who to start
Below are our top recommended tight ends for Week 13. These are designed for most leagues but read the notes for format-specific tweaks.
- 1. Travis Kelce — Elite target volume, red zone leader. Start in every format unless injury news says otherwise.
- 2. Mark Andrews — Heavy involvement and consistent red zone looks; PPR gold.
- 3. T.J. Hockenson — Routes, targets, and red zone presence make him a weekly starter.
- 4. George Kittle — When healthy, big-play ability plus target share; check injury updates.
- 5. Dallas Goedert — Reliable role in the offense and favorable matchups often push him into top-5 territory.
- 6. Kyle Pitts — High ceiling based on usage; boom-or-bust but worth starting in most PPR formats.
- 7. Pat Freiermuth — Safety blanket for his QB with consistent targets and red zone trust.
- 8. Evan Engram — Active in the passing game and valuable in PPR leagues.
- 9. Dalton Schultz — Volume-driven starter when matchup leans his way.
- 10. Tyler Higbee — Touchdown upside and steady snaps keep him in play.
Tips: If you play standard scoring and face a tough matchup for a lower-floor TE, consider a higher-floor streaming option. In PPR, target volume often trumps touchdown variance.
Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em by matchup: practical guidance
Matchup context changes everything. Below are start/sit suggestions and the reasoning behind them.
- Start if: The tight end faces a defense that allows high yards per reception to TEs, ranks poorly in coverage, or gives up many red zone targets to opposing TEs. Also, start if the TE commands 6+ targets per game.
- Sit if: The opponent ranks top-8 in tight end pass defense, the TE is touchdown-dependent with low target share, or the player is on a limited practice report.
Examples:
- Good matchup: A mid-tier TE going against a team that allows a high rate of tight end fantasy points. Expect a safe floor and start.
- Poor matchup: A touchdown-reliant TE versus a stingy unit that shuts down opposing TEs — consider a streaming TE or a safer flex option.
Tip: In Week 13, focus on teams still fighting for playoff positioning — their offenses tend to be less conservative and more pass-happy, increasing TE opportunity.
Streaming tight ends and waiver wire targets for week 13
Short on TE depth? Streaming the position is a common strategy. Look for these characteristics when scouring the waiver wire:
- Immediate target opportunity due to injury to a teammate.
- Favorable matchup against a defense that struggles to cover tight ends.
- Recent uptick in snap share or route participation.
Potential waiver targets (streaming candidates and sleepers):
- Undrafted breakout candidate: A backup tight end who started seeing more snaps after an injury — check practice reports and snap counts.
- Matchup-based stream: Pick up a TE facing the league’s worst tight end defense that week for a one-week play.
- Handcuff/replacement: If a top TE is banged up, the backup may be a temporary league-winner — monitor injury status carefully.
Example roster move: If your starter is on a questionable tag and your league has limited bench space, add a short-term streamer with a favorable Week 13 matchup to hedge risk.
PPR vs. standard scoring: how rankings shift
The scoring format changes evaluation:
- PPR: Target-heavy, reception-dependent TEs climb the ranks. A TE who averages 5–7 catches per game gets a big boost in PPR leagues.
- Standard: Touchdown-bound TEs with lower reception counts but red zone involvement gain value. A one-score game can vault a TE into top performance.
Example adjustments:
- If a TE is a frequent check-down target (5+ catches per game), bump them up in PPR-specific rankings.
- If a TE has poor reception numbers but leads the team in red zone looks, they may be more valuable in standard scoring due to touchdown upside.
Injury report, bye weeks, and last-minute lineups
Week 13 often brings injuries and late scratches. Use these best practices:
- Check the injury report every morning: A limited practice can become a full game-time decision.
- Monitor inactives lists: They are released about an hour before kickoff and can make or break a lineup.
- Have a bench plan: Keep at least one viable TE on your bench or be ready to stream from the waiver wire.
Example scenario: Your TE is questionable with a nagging ankle injury. If your backup is a viable streamer with a good matchup, consider the switch to reduce downside risk.
DFS and tournament strategy for week 13 tight ends
Daily fantasy requires a different approach than season-long leagues. Here are practical DFS tips for TE selection:
- Salvage value: Prefer mid-priced TEs who are heavily involved in their passing game. They offer the best floor/ceiling balance.
- Stacking: If you roster a high-volume QB, pairing him with his TE can be an efficient way to increase correlation and upside.
- Captain/flex strategy: Use a boom TE as a captain in GPPs if the matchup screams potential for a touchdown-heavy game.
Example picks: If a middle-priced TE faces a defense that gives up the most fantasy points to the position, that TE becomes a high-value play for tournaments and cash games.
Red zone targets, usage, and what to watch in Week 13
Target-area matters. Here’s what to prioritize when evaluating tight ends:
- Red zone targets per game: Track how often a TE is targeted inside the 20-yard line — these are touchdown opportunities.
- Target-to-snap ratio: A TE turning a 60% snap share into 6+ targets per game is a true focal point of the offense.
- Quarterback tendencies: QBs who look for tight ends on checkdowns or in the short passing game improve TE floor.
Tip: Use weekly stat splits and route participation charts (when available) to identify which TEs are trending up in each area. Trends matter more than single-game outliers.
Practical tips for managers using these week 13 TE rankings
- Set alerts for injury practice reports and inactives on game day.
- Prioritize target volume in PPR; prioritize red zone usage in standard leagues.
- When in doubt, start the higher-floor TE if you need a safe weekly score; start the boom TE if you need a big win.
- Check matchup-based streaming options early — good ones get picked up fast on the waiver wire.
- Use matchup indices to compare opposing defenses’ performance against tight ends going back several games, not just the last week.
FAQ: Week 13 TE rankings
1. How often should I check these rankings before kickoff?
Check the rankings and injury reports the morning of kickoff and again after inactives are released (roughly one hour before the first game). Practice reports change quickly and can alter start/sit decisions.
2. Should I prioritize PPR or standard advice in this article?
The article provides guidance for both formats. If you play PPR, emphasize target-heavy TEs and reception volume. In standard scoring, weigh red zone usage and touchdown probability more heavily.
3. Are streaming tight ends a reliable strategy in Week 13?
Yes — if you choose a streamer with a favorable matchup or a TE who recently saw an uptick in targets due to injury or role change. Streaming works best when you have good matchup data and flexible waiver priority.
4. How do injuries to wide receivers affect TE value?
If WRs are injured, tight ends can see increased targets as QBs shift to shorter and safer reads. That scenario often boosts TE floor and PPR value.
5. What’s the best way to decide between two tight ends for my start?
Compare target volume, red zone opportunity, matchup strength, and injury status. If still close, favor the TE with higher target consistency for PPR leagues and the one with red zone history in standard leagues.
Conclusion
These week 13 TE rankings combine target data, matchup analysis, red zone usage, and injury context to help you make a confident start ’em/sit ’em decision. Whether you’re locking in a top-tier tight end, streaming from the waiver wire, or chasing a high-ceiling DFS play, focus on targets, snap share, and matchup. Check injury reports and inactives on game day, and use the tips above to maximize your chance of winning in Week 13.
Good luck — set your lineup with confidence and monitor late-breaking news to turn these rankings into wins.