Fantasy football: Otton, Hurst among 4 must-start tight ends for Week 3

1 of 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (88) is my No. 12 fantasy football play in Week 3. File Photo by Steve Nesius/UPI | License Photo
MIAMI, Sept. 20 (UPI) — Cade Otton and Hayden Hurst are among my four must-start tight ends for Week 3 of the fantasy football season. My Week 3 rankings for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers remain available for your preparation. These rankings will be updated for developments, including injuries. Advertisement
T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, Evan Engram and Travis Kelce lead my Top 20 rankings, which are listed below. Engram joins Otton, Hurst and Zach Ertz among my must-start picks for Week 3.
Those who roster Logan Thomas should monitor his status this week after the Washington Commanders tight end entered the concussion protocol in Week 2.
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Evan Engram
Engram is the No. 3 player in my Top 20 rankings. The veteran pass catcher totaled 106 yards on 11 catches through his first two games this season and continues to be a consistent part of the Jacksonville Jaguars offense. Engram logged five catches in Week 1 and another six grabs in Week 2.
This week, the Jaguars will face the Houston Texans. Engram, who is a Top 5 tight end in terms of fantasy points per game, should excel in this matchup against a defense that just allowed six catches for 80 yards and a score to Indianapolis Colts tight ends in Week 2.
He should remain in all lineups in leagues that require starting the position.
Zach Ertz
Ertz leads all tight ends — and all Arizona Cardinals players — with 18 targets this season. The veteran pass catcher ranks inside the Top 12 among tight ends for fantasy points per game. Ertz made six catches in each of his first two games this season. He totaled 56 yards in a Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants.
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This week, the Cardinals will meet the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are decent at defending tight ends, but I expect Ertz to draw at least eight targets in this game. He sits at No. 8 in my rankings, but could jump inside the Top 5 if he scores.
Hayden Hurst
Hurst sits at No. 10 in my Week 3 rankings. The Carolina Panthers veteran will battle the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday in Seattle.
The Seahawks allowed the fourth-most receiving yards to tight ends through two weeks. They surrendered five catches for 53 yards to Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta in Week 2. They allowed four catches and 70 yards to Los Angeles Rams tight ends in Week 1.
Hurst is a Top 5 performer at the position so far this season, among tight ends that played two games. He is likely a touchdown-or-bust play, but I like his chances to find the end zone against the Seahawks.
Cade Otton
Otton is my No. 12 play for Week 3. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass catcher secured just two of three targets in Week 1, but caught all six of his looks for 41 yards in Week 2.
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Look for the second-year player to gain at least 50 yards in Week 3, when the Buccaneers face the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Eagles own a strong run defense, but allowed the second-most passing yards and the most passing scores in the NFL entering Week 3. The Eagles also surrendered a league-high 17 catches, the most touchdowns (3), second-most yards (171) and the most fantasy points to tight ends.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson totaled 66 yards and two scores on seven catches against this defense in Week 2. The Eagles allowed eight catches for 92 yards and a score in Week 1 to New England Patriots tight ends.
Otton is a fringe TE1 in leagues include at least 12 teams and require starting the position.
Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings
1. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings vs. LAC
2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens vs. IND
3. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. HOU
4. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs. CHI
5. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers vs. NYG
6. Darren Waller, New York Giants at SF
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7. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at TB
8. Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals vs. DAL
9. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns vs. TEN
10. Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers at SEA
11. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers at LV
12. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. PHI
13. Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears at KC
14. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons at DET
15. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots at NYJ
16. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams at CIN
17. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions vs. ATL
18. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys at ARI
19. Durham Smythe, Miami Dolphins vs. DEN
20. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints at GB
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense prevails against Cleveland Browns