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.
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 to take 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. The Rams are going to do their best to ensure they don’t get beat by Devante Adams, this should open up space for Robert Tonyan ($4,200 DK, $5,900 FD). Tonyan doesn’t always see high volumes, but he is a red-zone favorite of Aaron Rodgers. You don’t always need much from your tight end, so if you can get 40+ yards and a touchdown while saving money for other positions, that is a win.
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It is going to be really hard to avoid Travis Kelce ($8,600 DK, $8,800 FD). In cash games, you will want to play into his chalk, and in GPP, he is worth paying up for as a top receiver, tight end or not. The Browns gave up 500 passing yards to the Steelers last week and their passing offence pails in comparison to the Chiefs. Another week, another big game for Kelce.
During the regular season, the Buccaneers gave up the 10th most points to Tight Ends on both DK and FD, insert Jared Cook ($4,000 DK, $5,500 FD). The Saints are likely to throw the ball a lot, as Tampa Bay is tough to run the ball against. I expect we will see a higher than usual volume of targets to Cook this week, as the Saints look to spread the ball around, and the focus of the defence will be firmly placed on Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas.
The weakness of the Bills defence all year has been covering tight ends. Mark Andrews ($5,800 DK, $7,200 FD) has yet to have a really big game, but this could be the week as the Bills gave up the 5th most fantasy points to tight ends during the regular season. Andrews could be a nice differentiator in your GPP lineups this week.
We shouldn’t forget about the Browns this week. Austin Hooper ($3,000 DK, $4,500 FD) saw eleven targets last week against the Steelers, and he very well sees that many again this week going against the Cheifs in what should be a shootout. The focus of this game will be on the Chiefs, but the Browns have put up big passing yards at times this season, and the Cheifs don’t defend tight ends particularly well. If you’re looking to fade Kelce, don’t look past Hooper.
