Tight Ends Start 'Em, Sit 'Em and Fantasy Football Trends for Week 8 (2025)

October 23, 2025

Rob's tight end fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em picks for Week 8 of the 2025 season. Who should I start at tight end for fantasy football in Week 8 lineups?

This week, we'll be talking about several tight ends likely on your waiver wire who are starting to make noise. Oronde Gadsden, Dalton Schultz, Colston Loveland, Cade Otton, and Evan Engram are showing signs of being usable players in the next few weeks. Does that mean they'll become weekly starters?

Most likely not, but few tight ends are! They have certainly played their way into streamer status, and there's upside for much more with some of them. We'll break down these waiver-wire tight ends to determine whether you should buy or sell them. You can also find my Week 8 tight end rankings here, as well!

This article will also be posted to Reddit. If you have a question about a particular tight end or would like me to review one, please feel free to stop by and let me know. Please be sure to use the promo code "BOOM" to receive a 10% discount on any of our premium subscriptions.

Is Oronde Gadsden For Real?

I'm not sure if that's the question we should be asking ourselves. Put another way, I'm not sure that question is the most impactful. The real question should be, if he is for real, do we really want to miss out on all the fun because we were skeptical? You may think he is for real. You may think he's a flash in the pan. You may have no idea. The truth is, no one knows, but that doesn't really matter. Not right now anyway. The only thing we have to ask right now is, if he is for real, are you going to kick yourself for not being aggressive in getting him?

The answer to that question is most likely yes. We'll look back and say, "All the signs were there! How was I so blind?!" That's the truth, too, because when a fifth-round rookie tight end pops off for 17 targets, 14 receptions, 232 yards, and a touchdown over two weeks, we should immediately be paying attention.

6 catches. 156 yards. 1 TD.

What a day for the rookie Oronde Gadsden 🙌

INDvsLAC on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/bpN7XuSpos

— NFL (@NFL) October 19, 2025

Gadsden didn't play in Weeks 1-2, but logged a 42.3% route share in Weeks 3-5. That increased to 75.0% in Weeks 6-7. This is the biggest reason we've seen such a change in his production: his efficiency hasn't increased dramatically. In Weeks 3-5, his target rate was 19%. His target rate increased slightly to 21% in Weeks 6-7. However, because his route share increased so significantly, his target volume did, as well.

He averaged 3.7 targets per game in Weeks 3-5, but this doubled to 8.0 in Weeks 6-7. Some of this should be taken with a grain of salt, however. That's because over the past two weeks, Justin Herbert had 93 pass attempts, for an average of 46.5. In the five games prior, Herbert had averaged 35.6 pass attempts per game. It should also be noted that in Week 6, Quentin Johnston was inactive.

Over the past two weeks, Gadsden's target share is 17.2%. For the season, among all tight ends, this would be the 11th-highest, right ahead of Tucker Kraft at 17.0%. Gadsden has averaged 3.09 yards per route run and 14.5 yards per target over the past two weeks, numbers that are guaranteed to decrease. That is irrelevant. It doesn't need to stay that high. While Gadsden has averaged 17.6 half-PPR PPG the past two weeks, his expected PPG average was 14.7.

Even that "lesser' number would be incredibly useful in fantasy football. Zach Ertz and Sam LaPorta are tied for TE11 with an 8.6 half-PPR PPG. That should tell you that Gadsden's PPG average, even his expected half-PPR PPG average, can fall significantly and still be a useful fantasy football tight end.

There are many reasons to buy into Gadsden. First, he's been incredibly efficient and has flashed in a big way despite his rookie status. His offense and quarterback also increase his ceiling. Herbert is one of the best passers in the NFL, and the Chargers have been one of the most pass-happy offenses, which helps offset the intense target competition in Los Angeles.

Will that target competition result in some games where Gadsden might struggle to get enough targets? Yes. Is that true for every tight end? Also, yes. We've seen his ceiling, however, and it's worth chasing! So, is Gadsden for real? It looks that way, but even if you're doubtful yet, recognize the potential because the ceiling is enticing.

Are We Buying Dalton Schultz?

We should be, but it'd be a lot easier if the Houston offense, and specifically C.J. Stroud, showed signs of life. Regardless, when it comes to tight ends, beggars can't be choosers. For the season, Schultz is averaging 6.0 targets per game, which is the seventh-best mark among tight ends. Brock Bowers is third in targets per game at 6.5, placing Schultz that close to being top-three. Among 38 tight ends with 15 targets, Schultz is tied for eighth with a 23% target rate.

This is tied with Harold Fannin Jr., everyone's favorite diaper dandy tight end. Right above him at 24% are Bowers, Dalton Kincaid, and the great Tyler Warren. The downside for Schultz is that he's just 19th in total routes run and has a 67.5% route share, ranking 17th-best among tight ends. If his route share were to increase, his fantasy value would surely follow. Could that happen?

Nico Collins suffered a concussion in Week 7, so if he were to miss Week 8, Schultz's route share could increase in the short term. Outside of Collins, receivers Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, Xavier Hutchinson, and Jaylin Noel have struggled. Schultz has been Stroud's No. 2 target. Could that lead to more opportunities? It certainly could!

Schultz is tied for 11th with a 15.2% air yard share and is seventh in target share at 18.3%. He has been efficient with those opportunities, as well. His 1.84 yards per route run average ranks ninth and is better than every other Houston pass-catcher other than Collins. Schultz's 7.9 yards per target average is second only to Higgins for the Texans. Could the fact that he's been Houston's Stroud's second-favorite and the team's second-best pass-catcher lead to more routes? Yes, and making that bet is logical.

Schultz's expected half-PPR PPG is 10.3, tied for eighth. This is more than three points above his actual half-PPR PPG average. Why is that? He has yet to catch a touchdown. While we shouldn't expect too many touchdowns given the ineptitude of the Houston offense, we also shouldn't expect zero. Should we buy Schultz? Yes! We should be buying him for several reasons. It's reasonable to expect Schultz's role and opportunities to increase. He'll likely catch a touchdown sooner or later.

What do the Tampa Bay Injuries Mean for Cade Otton?

In short, more targets. From 2024-2025, there have been six games that Mike Evans has missed. He is now out for most of the remaining portion of the regular season with a broken collarbone. Chris Godwin is still dealing with a lower leg injury. He was inactive last week, and we haven't heard much information about the injury or his return date. There have been four games in the past two years where both Evans and Godwin were inactive.

As shown in the table above, injuries to Evans and Godwin have significantly impacted Otton's production. If Godwin remains out, fantasy managers should view Otton as a borderline TE1. However, it is important to note that in 2024, Tampa Bay did not have Emeka Egbuka. If Godwin returns, Baker Mayfield will still have two quality receivers with Egbuka and Godwin.

So, when we look at the row of "No Evans", some of these games came in 2024 when Egbuka was yet at Ohio State. Just looking at 2025, there have been two games in which Godwin and Evans were inactive (including Week 7, when Evans left early). Otton had an 87.3% route share, an elite number. He also sported a 20.5% target share, resulting in 7.5 targets per game.

His expected half-PPR PPG during this stretch is 10.6, while his actual half-PPR PPG is 8.8. Based on these numbers, fantasy managers should view him as a high-end TE2 once Godwin returns and a top-12 tight end for as long as Godwin remains out. Before the injuries, he was barely a TE2, so what do the injuries do? A whole heck of a lot! Otton should be viewed as Jake Ferguson-lite without Evans and Godwin.

Colston Loveland Breakout Game on the Horizon?

Cole Kmet was injured early in the second quarter of last week's game, running just two routes in the quarter. In quarters 2-4, Loveland had a 66.7% route share. Despite the loss of Kmet, that's still lower than fantasy managers would like to see. However, Loveland ran 12 routes during this span, which was third on the team, behind only Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore.

Some of the lower route share could be attributed to a mid-game change in operating procedure with Kmet's injury. Also, Chicago ran the ball at will against New Orleans, limiting New Orleans' pass volume. In Week 8, they'll play the Baltimore Ravens and their elite offense. Chicago's offense will unlikely have that luxury, and if Kmet remains out, they'll have a full week to get Loveland involved in the game plan.

In quarters 2-4 of last week, Loveland had a 17.6% target share. He had the same number of targets as Odunze and Moore. That is encouraging! He led the team in catches during this time, catching all three of his targets. His 2.00 yards per route run average was encouraging.

Much of Loveland's potential hinges on Kmet's availability. From Weeks 1-6, Loveland's route share stood at just 33.3%. Comparing that to the 66.7% it was at this past weekend with Kmet, and fantasy managers should be optimistic that better days are on the horizon.

Ben Johnson didn't have much of update on Tyrique Stevenson (shoulder) or Cole Kmet (back), other than to say he didn't have long-term concerns.

Considered both guys " more day-to-day, week-to-week."

— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) October 20, 2025

Odunze has struggled since the team's bye week, and Moore has been a non-factor all year. If Kmet misses this week and Loveland takes advantage, we might look back and say, "This is the week Loveland's breakout season started." Maybe not, but maybe...

Evan Engram Making some Noise...

Engram signed with the Broncos in the offseason, which prompted plenty of excitement among fantasy managers. Denver was seen to have only Courtland Sutton, so many thought Engram could operate as Bo Nix's No. 2 target. In the first two weeks of the season, those expectations could not have appeared more incorrect, but things have since taken a turn. Engram was inactive in Week 3, but his splits before and after that game are very different.

While his route share is still far too low, Engram's production is starting to come along. That could bode well for the second half of the season. Despite running a route on just 55% of the team's pass attempts, Engram has managed to average 7.6 half-PPR PPG, which is actually lower than his expected half-PPR PPG of 9.7. Considering that Engram is still not running that many routes, his production is impressive.

This all starts with his elite 26% target share. If Engram's route share were to increase even to just 65%, Engram could flirt with top-12 numbers, which was the hope and expectation when he signed with Denver. For the season, Engram has a 13.4% target share and 49.6% route share. Engram is the only tight end in the NFL with a target share above 13.0% and a route share below 60%.

Engram has never been a good blocker, and as he's gotten older, that skillset hasn't aged well. That will hurt his playing time and, to a lesser extent, his route share. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect his route share to be above 75%. However, given his target-earning ability, evidenced by his strong target rate, his route share would only need to increase to 65% for him to be a high-end TE2.

If it were to flirt with 70%, Engram could flirt with low-end TE1 numbers. That may sound like ifs and buts, and it is to some extent. However, Denver signed Engram for a reason. They had a vision for him, and we may just now be starting to see it. If his strong production over the past few weeks leads to more routes (it very well could), Engram could become very interesting.

Engram now has four straight weeks with six or more targets and at least four receptions. However, he has yet to generate more than 50 yards in any game. He's generally not used down the field, and he's never been a tackle-breaking player, so he's better in full-PPR leagues. Still, he's someone desperate tight end managers should take note of in all scoring formats except standard.

Week 8 Rankings

1. Tyler Warren vs Titans

2. Jake Ferguson at Broncos

3. Tucker Kraft at Steelers

4. Dalton Kincaid at Panthers

5. George Kittle at Texans

6. Dallas Goedert vs Giants

7. Mark Andrews vs Bears

8. Dalton Schultz vs 49ers

9. Travis Kelce vs Commanders

10. Kyle Pitts Sr. vs Dolphins

11. Cade Otton at Saints

12. Oronde Gadsden II vs Vikings

13. Harold Fannin Jr. at Patriots

14. Colston Loveland at Ravens

15. T.J. Hockenson at Chargers

16. Evan Engram vs Cowboys

17. Hunter Henry vs Browns

18. Theo Johnson at Eagles

19. Zach Ertz at Chiefs

20. Mason Taylor at Bengals

21. Noah Fant vs Jets

22. Juwan Johnson vs Buccaneers 

23. Isaiah Likely vs Bears

24. Jonnu Smith vs Packers

25. Chig Okonkwo at Colts

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