Dec 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (86) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Highmark Stadium.

We have made it through the final bye weeks in 2025 and it's time for Week 15, with all 32 teams back in action in time for the fantasy football playoffs.

George Kittle, Brock Bowers, and Trey McBride are a luxury to roster, as the other teams that don't roster one from that trio often have to make difficult decisions at the tight end spot every week.

Unfortunately, breakout rookie tight end Tyler Warren is dealing with a quarterback room in flux. The shocking news is that the Colts signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad on Dec. 9, and the 44-year-old could potentially be throwing passes to Warren as early as Sunday.

The good news is that there are multiple tight ends we feel confident starting and sitting this week. Whether you have clinched a spot or are still battling to stay out of last place, inserting the best tight end into your lineup this week could pay dividends.

Here is a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at tight end in Week 15 of the fantasy football season:

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 15 TEs

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers

One of the most popular waiver wire pickups in 2025 was Johnson, and managers will be privy to insert him in lineups this week. The threat of Taysom Hill taking opportunities away seems to be diminished and Alvin Kamara remains injured.

Johnson has come on strong since the Saints turned to QB Tyler Shough in Week 8. In his five games since then, the veteran tight end has 22-260-2 receiving on 27 targets. In his three games since the Saints traded away Rashid Shaheed, Johnson has served as the No. 2 pass catcher (75% route rate). He's set up for a bounce-back week when the Saints host the Panthers, who have allowed (63.8) yards per game to the position (sixth-most) and the and tenth-most fantasy points per game to the position. In the first meeting against Carolina in Week 10, Johnson finished as TE3 on the week with 92 yards and a score. Start the veteran in Week 15.

Theo Johnson, New York Giants vs. Washington Commanders

The Giants' second-year tight end has been a boom-bust option since Malik Nabers went down with a season-ending injury, but he can be trusted this week when the Giants host the struggling Commanders. Jaxson Dart will continue to look for Johnson who has a 22% red zone target share. Expect Dart to continue to look for his athletic 6-foot-6, 259-pound tight end with quick throws. Johnson tied his season-high with eight targets in his first game with Dart healthy and Mike Kafka as the interim head coach.

Fantasy managers searching for upside at the position can start Johnson against the Commanders' defense, which has allowed the fifth-most PPR points per game to tight ends, including the second-most scores. Johnson could be in line for a big day if he finds the end zone.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots

Kincaid returned in Week 14 against the Bengals, playing for the first time since he injured his hamstring in Week 10. He finished as TE8 in PPR scoring, posting four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. He leads all tight ends, averaging 14.8 yards per catch.

He's emerged as the top option in the Bills' passing game and Josh Allen has leaned on him in the red zone. He was the TE8 before his injury and is a start again in a massive Week 15 matchup when the Bills battle the Patriots in a game that will likely decide the winner of the AFC East.

The Bills will likely lean on Kincaid against New England, which has allowed the sixth-most receptions and ninth-most fantasy points per game to the position. The third-year tight end caught six passes for a season-high 108 yards in the Week 5 meeting with the Patriots.

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Start your tight ends against the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed a league-high 24.11 PPR points per game and a league-high 15 touchdowns to the position, including two last week to Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox in Buffalo, who both finished among the top 10 at the position. This game has the second-highest total of the week (51.5), so expect plenty of scoring chances.

If Andrews is rostered and you're looking for a deep league flex option, Isaiah Likely is the top steamer of the week and is available in 94% of Yahoo leagues. Andrews is tough to trust most weeks, but the matchup is too good to leave him on the bench.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 15 TEs

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

The veteran in New England was near entering must-start status but the matchup in Week 15 causes hesitation for Henry. Drake Maye is blossoming into an MVP candidate, but a matchup with the Bills is challenging for Henry to find success.

The Bills have allowed the fewest receptions (37) and fewest yards (441) to opposing tight ends. They've allowed a league-low 7.33 PPR fantasy points pr game to the position, and Henry finished as the TE27 when these two met back in Week 5. You should arrange to keep Henry out of lineups this week.

Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chargers' rookie tight end is a recommended sit for the third straight week. He hasn't finished better than TE28 in five weeks and he recently posted a season-low one catch for seven yards. He should be benched again this weekend when the Chargers take on a desperate Chiefs team at Arrowhead.

The Chargers will likely lean on running backs Omarion Hampton and Kimani Vidal to keep Mahomes and the Chiefs' offense off the field. Los Angeles's offensive line is dealing with multiple injuries and the tight ends have been tasked with more blocking assignments as a result.

Additionally, Kansas City has given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends, so the 22-year-old should be left on the bench in 10-12 team leagues this week in this letdown spot for the Bolts.

Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em, Week 15

Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:

→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 15.

→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you a lot of points. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 15.

→ The wide receiver position is one of the deepest each season. Set yourself up for success in Week 15 with start 'em, sit 'em advice for wideouts.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em tight ends: Week 15 fantasy football

Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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