T.J. Hockenson vs. Jauan Jennings: Week 4 fantasy football start-sit verdict
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is the better Week 4 fantasy football starter over wide receiver Jauan Jennings against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday because the veteran owns the larger target share and the softer coverage matchup.
Minnesota ruled out receiver Justin Jefferson with a sprained ankle, and tight end Josh Oliver went on injured reserve with a torn biceps. Hockenson has nine catches for 76 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets, while Jennings has one catch for one yard.
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T.J. Hockenson gains snaps without Oliver
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson against the Los Angeles Rams | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oliver played 24 snaps at Tampa Bay before his injury, and his move to injured reserve left Hockenson and second-year tight end Gavin Bartholomew as the only tight ends on the 53-man roster. So the 6-foot-5 veteran should stay on the field in nearly every personnel grouping.
Hockenson caught four passes for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 win over Green Bay, then caught three of four targets for 29 yards at Chicago. However, he managed two catches for 11 yards on four targets at Tampa Bay, even after Jefferson left on the opening drive.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said a full week of preparation without Jefferson should help the rest of the offense.
“I think it’s better for the rest of the group, knowing the plan, knowing where they’re going to align, knowing how we’re going to call personnel groupings to get certain guys in the spots we want,” O’Connell said.
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Why has Jauan Jennings struggled early?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings (14) and wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Minnesota signed Jennings to a one-year, $8 million deal, and the 29-year-old has three targets in two games. He drew one target in the Week 1 win over Green Bay, then missed Week 2 after a death in his family.
Jennings played 47 snaps at Tampa Bay, second among Vikings receivers behind wide receiver Jordan Addison, but averaged 0.04 yards per route run. Still, O’Connell indicated the veteran will line up in more spots without Jefferson.
“Jauan being out there and being asked to do a little bit more than just the position he’s gotten the reps at throughout the week of a game plan,” O’Connell said.
That expanded role gives Jennings more routes, but Addison sits first in line for the vacated targets after he caught five passes for 90 yards and a 41-yard touchdown once Jefferson exited.
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Dolphins matchup favors Hockenson over Jennings
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez (10) with the ball after making an interception against the Kansas City Chiefs | Sam Navarro-Imagn
Miami allows 19.1 fantasy points per game to receivers, one of the five lowest totals in the league. They allow 13.5 per game to tight ends, 11th-most. Tight end George Kittle caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins, and Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce added two catches for 59 yards and a score last week.
Dolphins rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez figures to draw Hockenson in coverage, and he has allowed a 63.3 passer rating with an interception. Minnesota also averages a league-low 238.3 yards per game, so neither pass catcher carries a safe floor.
Hockenson belongs in lineups as a low-end starter at tight end in 12-team leagues, and his target share makes him a better flex option than Jennings. The former 49ers receiver fits only in deep leagues until his route volume turns into catches.
Dolphins at Vikings kicks off at 4:05 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium.
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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.