One of my favorite fantasy football rules is also one of the easiest to violate: Draft for value and figure out the lineup later.

That philosophy is how I ended up with Brock Bowers and Dalton Kincaid on one roster this season, then Trey McBride and George Kittle on another.

I didn’t enter either draft intending to collect tight ends like Infinity Stones. Each time, the board simply reached a point where the second tight end was more attractive than another running back or receiver.

For years, starting two tight ends was fantasy football’s version of wearing socks with sandals: technically allowed, but guaranteed to get you mocked.

It also felt counterintuitive. After spending years trying to avoid the tight end wasteland, why would you voluntarily use a “flex” spot on another one?

This season, that decision isn’t nearly as uncomfortable.

Through four weeks, the overall TE18 is averaging 9.7 PPR points per game. The WR37 is at 10.1. The RB26 sits at 9.6.

That’s four-tenths of a point separating all three.

The position is deeper, offenses are leaning more heavily on multi-tight end personnel and the waiver wire still includes players capable of providing immediate routes, targets and red-zone opportunities.

There are still premium running back handcuffs I want on my bench, but most need an injury before their ceiling becomes useful. Many available receivers, meanwhile, are fighting for inconsistent targets in crowded or inept passing games.

Tight ends increasingly offer a cleaner path to immediate production.

Maybe this really is the year of the flex-tight end.

That doesn’t mean blindly starting two every week. It means the old rule against doing it no longer makes much sense.

Fantasy football is ultimately a game of value.

And right now, there’s more of it at tight end than we’re accustomed to seeing.

Priority targets

— RB Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (ESPN: 58%; Yahoo: 61%): Charbonnet has already been ruled out against San Francisco as he continues recovering from knee surgery, but Jadarian Price landing on IR clears another obstacle from his eventual path to touches. His history as a goal-line producer still makes him my preferred rest-of-season bet in Seattle.

— QB Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 16%): If you need options just in case Lamar Jackson sits this week, Brissett gets a Detroit defense that has surrendered 1,308 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes through four games. He already has games of 277 and 280 passing yards this season, making him a viable one-week streamer in a matchup that could force Arizona into elevated volume.

— WR Tyreek Hill, Free agent (ESPN: 28%; Yahoo: 23%): Hill is a pure upside stash while we wait to learn where he signs and when he can realistically return from last season’s knee injury. Kansas City’s injuries at receiver create an obvious potential reunion, and attaching Hill to Patrick Mahomes for the fantasy stretch run is enough upside to justify the roster spot.

— TE Mike Gesicki, Bengals (ESPN: 10%; Yahoo: 7%): This is exactly why I’m shopping the tight end aisle. Gesicki already has three TDs on only 15 targets, and injuries to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could dramatically expand his role against Miami. Even if one returns, Gesicki carries enough red-zone equity to stream; if both sit, he could become one of Joe Burrow’s primary targets.

— D/ST Bears (ESPN: 38%; Yahoo: 59%): Chicago’s defense has quietly become more than a desperation stream, allowing only 28 points over its last three games while producing eight sacks and three takeaways.

Other top targets

— QB Kirk Cousins, Raiders (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 23%): Cousins has thrown multiple TD passes in every game and has 1,026 yards with 11 TDs through four weeks while averaging 36 pass attempts per game. At this point, he is graduating from streamer to legitimate QB1 consideration.

— QB Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 10%): Rodgers has produced 591 passing yards and six TDs over his last two starts, with FantasyPros charting his average depth of target at 8.7 yards after it sat at 6.0 last season. Indianapolis has surrendered 1,090 passing yards through four games, making Rodgers another viable Jackson replacement.

— QB Jameis Winston, Giants (ESPN: 3%; Yahoo: 4%): Winston threw for 250 yards and three TDs against Arizona, along with the obligatory two interceptions that come with the experience. Washington’s secondary has already been vulnerable to explosive passing performances, making Winston a high-variance streamer if you need ceiling more than safety.

— WR Keon Coleman, Bills (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 5%): Coleman finally broke through with six catches for 116 yards and a TD, and DJ Moore’s aggravated shoulder injury could create substantially more perimeter opportunity. Coleman already owns one of Buffalo’s larger route shares, so this isn’t simply chasing last week’s box score. If Moore sits, Coleman immediately enters the WR3/flex conversation with legitimate TD upside.

— WR Khalil Shakir, Bills (ESPN: 62%; Yahoo: 42%): Shakir caught seven of eight targets for 82 yards Sunday and should benefit if Moore’s shoulder injury further condenses Buffalo’s target tree. He offers less weekly explosiveness than Coleman, but his stable slot role makes him the safer PPR option.

— WR Malik Washington, Dolphins (ESPN: 28%; Yahoo: 31%): Washington continues surviving Miami’s ugly passing environment, catching all five of his targets for 67 yards despite the Dolphins completing only nine passes Sunday. Through four games, he has a team-high 27.2% target share, giving him a cleaner path to PPR production than most receivers still available.

— WR Tre’ Harris, Chargers (ESPN: 6%; Yahoo: 9%): Harris played 93% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps Sunday, and Ladd McConkey’s aggravated foot injury could turn that playing time into significantly more targets. Patrick Surtain II also injured his ankle against the 49ers, which could dramatically change what initially looked like a brutal matchup against Denver this week.

— WR Makai Lemon, Eagles (ESPN: 54%; Yahoo: 49%): Lemon has only 10 catches through four games, but he drew six targets Sunday and Philadelphia’s offense is suddenly dealing with injuries to Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert. The production hasn’t arrived yet, but the first-round rookie remains too talented to abandon just as potential opportunity is increasing.

— WR Antonio Williams, Commanders (ESPN: 7%; Yahoo: 6%): Williams played a season-high 68.8% of Washington’s offensive snaps and drew eight targets against Indianapolis, though he caught only three for 21 yards. Terry McLaurin’s hamstring injury keeps the door open, and a Jayden Daniels return would make those opportunities much more valuable.

— WR Dohnte Meyers, Bengals (ESPN:

— RB Emanuel Wilson, Seahawks (ESPN: 50%; Yahoo: 49%): Wilson is the better short-term addition after turning 24 touches into 120 yards from scrimmage and two TDs against the Chargers while playing 60% of Seattle’s offensive snaps.

— RB Will Shipley, Eagles (ESPN:

— RB Jaylen Wright, Dolphins (ESPN: 26%; Yahoo: 31%): Wright technically started against Minnesota but managed only seven yards on five carries while Ollie Gordon II supplied the backfield’s biggest play. His 4.38 speed still provides the home-run element Miami lost with De’Von Achane, but consider him an upside stash until the workload clarifies.

— RB Brian Robinson Jr., Falcons (ESPN: 27%; Yahoo: 31%): Robinson turned 14 carries into 62 yards and three TDs Monday night, giving him four scores over the last two games and reinforcing that Atlanta is willing to use him near the goal line even with Bijan Robinson healthy. Pro Football Focus has the backfield split holding around 65% of the snaps for Bijan and 35% for Brian, enough to give Robinson occasional standalone value while making him one of fantasy’s more valuable premium handcuffs.

— RB Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (ESPN: 28%; Yahoo: 36%): Allgeier ripped off a 22-yard TD Sunday, and Jeremiyah Love’s lower-leg injury could turn his premium-handcuff value into immediate usefulness. If Love misses Week 5, Allgeier has enough proven volume and goal-line ability to enter the RB2/flex conversation.

— RB Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (ESPN: 18%; Yahoo: 35%): Mitchell turned 15 touches into 63 yards Sunday while playing 26 snaps, essentially matching Omarion Hampton (25) and Kimani Vidal (25) in a backfield that has flattened into a true committee. His 4.37 speed is an ideal fit for Mike McDaniel’s wide-zone scheme — essentially the De’Von Achane role — and Hampton’s early-season ball-security issues have helped keep the door open. Mitchell’s receiving usage and explosive-play ability give him the most appealing weekly ceiling of the trio, even if the touch distribution remains frustratingly even.

— TE T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (ESPN: 55%; Yahoo: 29%): Hockenson exploded for 13 catches and 119 yards with Justin Jefferson sidelined, while Josh Oliver’s move to IR keeps his route participation elevated. If Jefferson remains out, Hockenson isn’t merely a TE1 — he’s exactly the type of second tight end worth considering in the FLEX.

— TE Hunter Henry, Patriots (ESPN: 44%; Yahoo: 48%): Henry rebounded with five catches for 62 yards and now gets a Raiders defense that has already allowed five TD receptions to tight ends. New England’s injuries at receiver could further concentrate Drake Maye’s short and intermediate targets, giving Henry both floor and red-zone appeal.

— TE Brenton Strange, Jaguars (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 27%): Strange caught seven of eight targets for 95 yards against Cincinnati, providing the type of volume worth chasing at tight end. Philadelphia presents a much tougher Week 5 matchup, so add him for the role without feeling obligated to immediately chase last week’s production.

— D/ST Bengals (ESPN: 17%; Yahoo: 23%): Miami has yet to exceed 13 points in a game, has surrendered 11 sacks and committed five turnovers. Cincinnati has produced four sacks in three of four games, making this one of Week 5’s cleaner matchup streams.

— D/ST Cowboys (ESPN: 6%; Yahoo: 16%): Dallas has produced only four sacks and two takeaways, so this recommendation is entirely dependent on Tampa Bay’s quarterback situation. If Baker Mayfield remains sidelined and rookie Jalon Daniels starts again, the Cowboys become usable because Daniels threw two interceptions and took three sacks in his first NFL start.

— D/ST Commanders (ESPN: 4%; Yahoo: 1%): Washington gets the full Jameis Winston experience after he has thrown three interceptions and taken nine sacks since replacing Jaxson Dart. Winston can absolutely burn a fantasy defense with explosive plays, but his turnover and sack volatility creates exactly the ceiling streamers should chase.

Drop candidates

— QB Marcus Mariota, Commanders: Mariota suffered another MCL sprain Sunday — the second injury to the same ligament this year — and is expected to miss time. Washington was already hoping to get Jayden Daniels back for Week 5, which eliminates both Mariota’s immediate value and most of the upside in waiting for him.

— WR Michael Pittman Jr., Steelers: Pittman ran 32 routes on 51 snaps Sunday and still managed only two catches for 15 yards on four targets. He hasn’t exceeded five targets in a game this season. That is a lot of cardio for somebody occupying a valuable fantasy bench spot.

— RB J.K. Dobbins, Broncos: Dobbins hasn’t topped 49 rushing yards or scored a TD through four games, while RJ Harvey’s 10-catch performance Sunday highlighted the difference in their receiving ceilings. I’d rather use the roster spot on a higher-upside handcuff in shallow PPR leagues, although Dobbins remains a reasonable hold in deeper or standard formats.

— TE Darren Waller, Panthers: Waller managed only three catches for 36 yards Sunday and now disappears during Carolina’s Week 5 bye. With several tight ends offering stronger route volume and immediate usability on waivers, this is a good year to churn the position rather than wait on Waller’s name value.

— WR Pat Bryant, Broncos: Bryant showed some life with three catches for 47 yards before suffering an ankle injury that is expected to sideline him for multiple weeks. Use an IR spot if you have one, but standard redraft managers shouldn’t burn an active bench slot on an injured secondary receiver.

More online

Need help setting your lineup? Look for Eddie Brown’s weekly Fantasy Football Start/Sit Guide at sandiegouniontribune.com before the first NFL game each week, typically on Thursdays, with matchup-by-matchup advice on who to start, sit and stream.

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