When we talk about tight ends, upside doesn’t often come to mind. A large part of their value is dependent upon reaching the end zone but they don’t have upside in the way a wide receiver has. Seeing a tight end go for 100-plus yards just isn’t something that will happen often unless you are dealing in the truly elite territory. Fifty yards and a touchdown is a perfectly reasonable expectation from your tight end, and that means your budget should be allocated accordingly. Just make sure you are paying for the production you are getting though.
This doesn’t mean you should never look towards the higher end options if the situation dictates or the salary cap allows, but tread carefully here. There is a fine line to walk between risk and reward as you can’t afford taking a zero from a lineup spot. At the same time, you don’t want to spend any more than necessary at the risk of other positions.
For those who have yet to subscribe, what are you waiting for? Until then you will get one free pick to whet your appetite. It appears that Hunter Henry ($4,500 DK, $5,900 FD) has reached a consistent level of production. Last week was Henry’s fifth game out of six in which he caught four passes. This time those four receptions went for 48 yards as the tight end also caught his third touchdown pass of the season. It was the second straight week in which Henry caught a touchdown pass in what certainly is a positive development as Justin Herbert is really coming into his own with the Chargers. This week’s game looks to be a high scoring affair in Buffalo and it comes against a Bills team that is in the top-five in points allowed against tight ends so far this season. With 66 targets we know that Henry has a role in the Los Angeles and that should lead to another successful week.
Subscribers can now expect to get six more picks as we take a closer look at some more tight ends at varying price points who deserve our attention this week along with a few from whom we should keep our distance. And not all will break the back either which will leave plenty of room for help at other positions. So, keep on going and take a look at what we have to offer.
There is Travis Kelce ($7,000 DK, $8,000 FD) and there is everyone else at the tight end position. The same applies to his salary but Kelce is cheaper than the elite options at running back and wide receiver. It goes without saying that it likely will be a shootout between Kansas City and Tampa Bay this week and Kelce is often a part of whatever offensive success the Chiefs have. Kelce is coming off a 127-yard performance against the Raiders in which he caught eight passes including his seventh touchdown of the season. With 66 receptions for 896 yards on the season there is no doubting Kelce’s ability or production as he is looking for his fourth straight 100-plus yard performance.
With five consecutive games of less than 50 yards, Darren Waller ($6,000 DK, $7,100 FD) has been underperforming but he did pick things back up last week against the Chiefs. Waller showed what he is capable of as he caught all seven of his targets for 88 yards and his fifth touchdown of the season and that success should continue against the Falcons in a favorable match-up this week. With 83 targets for 60 receptions and 519 yards we know that Waller is a large part of Las Vegas’ offense and the skill and talent are here as well. Waller is in prime position to capitalize this week as Atlanta has struggled to defend opposing tight ends.
To say I have been back and forth on Chris Herndon ($2,800 DK, $4,600 FD) this season would be an understatement. This week though he is essentially free and also entering Sunday on a high note after catching his first touchdown of the season. Herndon was only targeted three times last and caught just two passes for 32 yards but it was a good sign to see him get into the end zone. Entering the season there was a great deal of buzz surrounding Herndon but that has gone unfulfilled. As the Jets look towards next year they are going to want to see they have at the tight end position and Herndon could be a big part of that. For this week it doesn’t cost much at all to find that out and things should be looking up for Herndon as the touchdown reception is a likely confidence boost.
All of a sudden the Giants are favored to win this week and their offense is rounding into shape coming off their bye. No one will ever confuse Daniel Jones with being elite but New York does have some fantasy value. Tight ends have had success against the Bengals so far this season and Evan Engram ($4,500 DK, $5,600 FD) will likely be no different this week. With just two receptions for 15 yards last week against Philadelphia certainly wasn’t true though as Engram is also suffering from a healthy Giants’ wide receiving corps. Engram has just 347 yards on the season with 154 of those yards and 16 receptions coming in the three weeks prior to his most recent effort.
At their prices it is hard to go wrong with most tight ends. That doesn’t mean some aren’t better than others though and Rob Gronkowski ($4,400 DK, $6,200 FD) is one option I am avoiding this week. Tampa Bay simply has too many offensive weapons at the receiving position to carve out much of a consistent role for Gronkowski. Over his last four games, Gronkowski has just nine receptions for 119 yards. While he does have two touchdown receptions in that span there is just not enough to feel good about here.
Three catches for 36 yards over three games are not a recipe for DFS success. Without Drew Breesit is hard to know what to expect out of the New Orleans offense and Jared Cook ($3,500 DK, $5,800 FD) is no exception. With Cook not really having success prior to Brees’ injury there really is nothing to see here.
