Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has struggled through the first three weeks of the NFL season, ranking just 19th in PPR leagues, and his upcoming matchup against the Tennessee Titans offers little optimism for fantasy managers. The Titans have shut down opposing tight ends effectively, allowing only 16.1 fantasy points across the board, with a mere six catches for 38 yards and no receiving touchdowns conceded to starting tight ends so far this year. Andrews’ production has been underwhelming, and this week’s contest at Tennessee looks unlikely to reverse that trend.
Andrews’ difficulties come despite being a primary target in Baltimore’s offense. The Titans’ defense has been particularly stingy against tight ends, making it a challenging environment for Andrews to find meaningful opportunities. His inability to generate consistent yardage or touchdowns has raised concerns among fantasy owners, especially with the Titans’ defensive record against tight ends being one of the best in the league.
Meanwhile, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland has faced his own set of struggles in 2026. After a rocky start to the season, Loveland’s performance has shown slight improvement, but a recent disappointment on Monday night against the Philadelphia Eagles highlighted his ongoing issues. Loveland appeared to score a touchdown only for it to be called back after video review showed he had tucked the ball instead of extending it over the goal line.
Despite quarterback Case Keenum playing one of his better games, the Bears’ offense favoured Kalif Raymond and Luther Burden III in terms of targets, leaving Loveland on the periphery. The next test for Loveland is a matchup against the New York Jets, whose defense ranks fourth-best in the league against tight ends through the first three weeks. This combination of factors makes him a questionable start for fantasy managers this week.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson presents a different challenge. He has been remarkably efficient with nine catches and three touchdowns on just 11 targets, but this touchdown rate is unlikely to continue at the same pace. Ferguson averages fewer than four targets per game, and with Dallas’ offense featuring multiple weapons, he is not the primary scoring option.
This week’s matchup against the Houston Texans is expected to be low-scoring. After conceding a heavy defeat to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills in Week 1, the Texans have tightened up, allowing just 39 points combined over the last two games against strong opponents Cincinnati and Indianapolis. Their defensive approach aims to slow down the game, further limiting Ferguson’s chances to score. Fantasy managers are advised to consider benching him for Week 4.
Mark Andrews, Colston Loveland, and Jake Ferguson all face tough defensive opponents that have limited tight ends’ production this season. Andrews’ matchup against the Titans, Loveland’s challenge against the Jets, and Ferguson’s game against the Texans each pose significant hurdles.
With these factors in mind, fantasy managers should evaluate their options carefully, as starting these tight ends in Week 4 carries considerable risk given their recent form and the defensive matchups ahead.
According to Yahoo Sports.
