Start Elijah Higgins over Will Kacmarek — Week 1 Start/Sit Verdict

Higgins edges Kacmarek on availability, but neither TE has a usable floor

Elijah Higgins gets the narrow nod because he is healthy, while Will Kacmarek carries a questionable tag in a similarly difficult matchup. Kacmarek does offer the better game environment, but his blocking role gives that advantage little fantasy value; Higgins' move-tight role behind McBride is also too thin to trust. The margin is effectively about availability, not upside, so both remain sits and Higgins is only the less risky choice.

What flips it: Kacmarek being cleared without a snap limitation.

AI editor

Elijah Higgins

TEARIvs LAC

1.31.92.6 Projected Points

Sit· high

Will Kacmarek

TEMIAvs LV

1.31.92.4 Projected Points

Sit

Why Elijah Higgins

Sit· high

TE2 and converted receiver. Move-tight end role with rotational snaps behind McBride.

2.6 projected points on a 6% target share, plus a top-5 DvP matchup and a 17.0 implied total as 11.5-point dogs — unstartable TE.

His clean status matters more than a modest scoring gap in a matchup where neither role offers much volume.
The converted-receiver background gives Higgins some receiving-path appeal, but McBride keeps his weekly floor fragile.

The call

The usage isn't there: 43% snap share with just a 6% target share over 16 games means he's a blocking-first TE, not a receiving option worth a lineup spot.
Vegas paints an ugly picture — 11.5-point underdog with a 17.0 implied total, so there are few touchdowns to go around and the passing volume that does come won't funnel to him.
The Chargers rate 5 of 32 in DvP vs tight ends (softest = 32), so even the projected 2.6 points has little upside baked in.
Questionable tag adds pure downside risk to a floor that's already near zero — any waiver TE with a defined route role beats this.

Why Will Kacmarek

Sit

Backup TE in blocking role. In-line contributor with minimal receiving usage.

Sit — projects TE52 this week: LV is the 5th-toughest matchup vs TEs, Questionable on the latest report.

Miami’s friendlier game script is the clearest path to value if Kacmarek’s role expands.
His in-line blocking assignment leaves little receiving upside, and the questionable tag compounds an already narrow floor.

Head-to-head stats

Metric	Elijah Higgins	Will Kacmarek
Projected points	1.31.92.6	1.31.92.4
Opponent vs position	LAC · 5 of 3217-game sample	LV · 5 of 3217-game sample
Receptions	3 of 32	3 of 32
Receiving Yards	4 of 32	3 of 32
Receiving TDs	9 of 32	9 of 32
Targets	2 of 32	3 of 32
Anytime TD	9 of 32	9 of 32
Target share	6%(2025)	—
Reception share	8%(2025)	—
Implied total · spread	17.0+11.5	19.3+3.0
Depth chart	TE2	TE2
Snap share	43%(2025)	—
Injury designation	—	Questionable