The season has enough sample size to draw conclusions about NFL offenses and player utilization. However, the fantasy season is barreling toward the business section of the calendar, where at least 2-3 teams in a league are looking toward 2025 already. Here are the key NFL and fantasy observations at the tight end position:

Buffalo

Dalton Kincaid has warmed after a slow start to the season. His four highest target totals have been in the last four games. His 1.72 yards per route run (YPRR) and 23% target per route run (TPRR) combination points towards a top-12 finish this season if continuing. Kincaid's one touchdown is holding him back, fantasy-wise. His 2.00 YPRR and 23% TPRR was a strong initial outing with Amari Cooper joining the passing game.

Cincinnati

Monitor Mike Gesicki vs. Erick All Jr.. as the season progresses. Gesicki is averaging 18 routes per game (RPG) and All is 12 RPG. However, All's 21% TPRR is superior to Gesicki's 17% and All's routes are rising, while Gesicki is slipping of late.

Cleveland

David Njoku is set to be a massive impact player with Amari Cooper's departure. Njoku is 1.51 YPRR and 24% TPRR on the season but surged to 27% TPRR last week. The passing game is reeling, so expect plenty of comeback mode like in Week 7.

Detroit

Sam LaPorta's swoon to start the season continued in Week 7. His 10% TPRR on the season has been one of the biggest surprising stats of the entire position after his breakout rookie season in 2023. LaPorta has sagged behind Jameson Williams in the passing game pecking order and LaPorta is stuck on one touchdown through six games. LaPorta is trending towards needing Williams (which will happen for two games, thanks to Williams' PED suspension) or Amon-Ra St.Brown out of the lineup for a surge to strong TE1 production.

Jacksonville

Evan Engram has been outstanding in his two games since returning to the lineup, and Brian Thomas Jr. and Engram co-existed with strong games in Week 7. Engram's 2.15 YPRR and 29% TPRR are an elite combination for a fantasy ceiling.

Kansas City

Noah Gray is set to become a viable option with the injuries continuing at wide receiver. Gray's 2.13 YPRR and 17% TPRR are encouraging. Expect more two-tight end sets with Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown out for the season and JuJu Smith-Schuster mending a hamstring.

Las Vegas

Brock Bowers continued his torrid pace in Week 7. No Jakobi Meyers (injury) and Davante Adams (traded) resulted in 2.38 YPRR and 33% TPRR were above even his lofty season-long averages. Bowers is the entire passing game. His elite production is actually held back by just one touchdown as well.

San Francisco

Like David Njoku and Brock Bowers, expect George Kittle to be a dominant market share option with injuries and wide receiver absences around him. Kittle's 2.16 YPRR and 24% TPRR combination is in concert with historical elite tight end seasons. Brandon Aiyuk being out for the season is a critical loss but a benefit to Kittle continuing his nearly 17 PPG pace.

Strength of Schedule

The Footballguys powerful strength of schedule tool is up and running now here.

Looking at the next four weeks, here are the notable tight end schedules:

Next Month's Best Schedules

• +8.5 PPG: Bills
• +7.8 PPG: Broncos
• +5.9 PPG: Vikings
• +5.0 PPG: Raiders
• +4.4 PPG: Browns

T.J. Hockenson's return is imminent with quality matchups in Weeks 8-10 if he debuts in that zone. Brock Bowers and David Njoku need little help considering their market share, but enjoy two of the best schedules over the next month.

Next Month's Worst Schedules

• -9.3 PPG: Cowboys
• -4.6 PPG: Colts
• -4.1 PPG: Chargers
• -3.9 PPG: Steelers
• -3.8 PPG: Chiefs

Jake Ferguson is a critical element for the Cowboys with their WR2 question marks, but the schedule turns tough for Ferguson with clearly the worst aPPG schedule over the next month. Will Dissly has been impressive in two straight games as a streamer with Hayden Hurst out of the lineup.

Check out all of Chad Parsons' content at Footballguys.