The C.R.E.A.M of the crop (the highest salaries). If you’re looking to spend money on a Tight End we recommend:
Antonio Gates is priced as a mid-tier tight end, but is set to produce as a WR1 for the Chargers, making him my top value play of the week. Kennan Allen is out for the season, leaving the Chargers with a receiving corps of Malcolm Floyd, Stevie Johnson, and Dontrelle Inman. Allen was leading the league in targets, so there are plenty of looks to go around. I believe the majority of those targets will go to Gates. Gates was limited last week with a sprained MCL, playing only 50% of snaps, but is probable heading into Monday night. He is tied for 5th in the league for red zone targets among tight ends, with 8, in only 3 games. He is also getting targets between the 20s with a total of 34 on the year, converting on 22. With over 7 catches per game, Gates has a high floor, and
“Bull” is inspired by a Bull Market on Wall Street. If you’re looking for a high ceiling with a moderate salary:
The Colts head into week 9 facing the stingiest defense in football. Teams have struggled to even move the ball and score points against the Broncos, but one way there has been relative success is by targeting tight ends. Travis Kelce and Eric Ebron each had over 50 yards receiving, and Gary Barnidge hauled in 2 scores. Fleener could also be the biggest beneficiary of the firing offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton. Rob Chudzinski, heavily involves tight ends will take over as primary play caller. Dwayne Allen still comes as a threat to Fleener’s, production, but Fleener clearly has the TE1 role locked in, out snapping Allen in each of the last 4 games. The Colts run plenty of 2 tight end sets in the red zone and Luck is looking his way. Fleener ranks 8th in the league in red zone targets, with 8, catching 6 for 2 touchdowns. Look for the Colts to attack the Broncos with Coby Fleener over the middle of the field.
If you’re looking for near minimum salary with the potential to out perform the Blue Chip market:
Tyler Eifert: 9-104-2
Crocket Gilmore: 5-88-2
Gary Barnidge: 6-105-1
Martellus Bennett: 11-83-1
Ladarius Green: 4-45-1
Don’t overthink it. Get Heath Miller in your lineups. Miller struggled mightily with Ben Roethlisberger out with injury, but he is back, and likes to look Miller’s way. Miller saw over 10 targets in 2 out of 3 games where Big Ben was healthy this season. Miller posted stat lines of 8-84-0 week 1 against the Patriots and 10-105-0 in week 8 against the Bengals. With Le’veon Bell out for the season, look for the Steelers to pass early and often against Oakland’s secondary that bleed passing yards all season. You can get Miller in your lineups for next to nothing on Draftkings, which allows you to fit the stars that can put up a massive score.
“Bear” also draws inspiration from Wall Street. Stay away this week:
Halfway through the season no one has underachieved more than Eddie Lacy, though he is still priced as a top tier running back. He was able to salvage a small amount of value by sneaking into the end zone Sunday against the best defense in the league. This could cause public perception to think Lacy is ready to produce at the level he should but I don’t see it happening again Sunday. Carolina’s defense seems to struggle against quick one cut running backs, who can rip off big plays, and Eddie Lacy does not fall into that category. Lacy is averaging less than 4 YPC and has only found the end zone twice this season. At his price tag, Lacy would need about 12 Fanduel points and 18 DK points to even be considered as a viable option in cash games. He has scored less than 10 points 3 times this season and his top score is only 18, providing a low floor and ceiling.
