Week 8 Fantasy Football: Start T.J. Hockenson or Sit Cade Otton?
The ongoing NFL season has fantasy managers making critical weekly decisions regarding their tight end lineup. For Week 8, two primary options are Minnesota Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Cade Otton. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of their performances and matchups for fantasy football enthusiasts.
Week 8 Matchup Overview
T.J. Hockenson and Cade Otton present intriguing choices for Week 8 fantasy football. Their current forms and matchups will heavily influence their respective values.
Cade Otton’s Recent Performance
Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has shown marked improvement in recent weeks. Initially struggling, he recorded only six receptions for 34 yards in the season’s first four games. However, in the subsequent three weeks, he averaged 65.7 receiving yards per game and secured four or more catches in each outing, ranking TE10 in PPR formats.
The Buccaneers face the New Orleans Saints this week. New Orleans has allowed the 13th most fantasy points to tight ends in PPR scoring this season. Notably, they have kept opposing TE1s under 40 receiving yards in six out of seven games. Despite this, the Saints have given up three touchdowns to tight ends in the last three games. Otton has been unable to score this season, having tied his career high with four touchdowns last year.
T.J. Hockenson’s Current Status
On the other hand, T.J. Hockenson has been a reliable target for the Vikings throughout the season. After an unremarkable start with only four receptions in the first two games, he has consistently logged at least four receptions in each of his last four games. In his latest game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded six catches for 43 yards, with a season-high nine targets.
This week, Hockenson faces the Los Angeles Chargers, who have been tough against tight ends in 2025. The Chargers currently allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in PPR formats, having limited opposing TE1s to under 20 receiving yards three times in their last four games. However, tight ends have found their way into the end zone against them, with three touchdowns allowed in the past four contests. Hockenson has only one touchdown this season.
Conclusion: Who to Start?
When evaluating who to start between T.J. Hockenson and Cade Otton for fantasy football Week 8, the analysis leans towards Otton. Despite facing challenging defenses, he has a more favorable matchup against the Saints compared to Hockenson’s matchup with the Chargers. Therefore, Otton is recommended as the safer option for fantasy managers looking to maximize their points this week.
