The C.R.E.A.M of the crop (the highest salaries). If you’re looking to spend money on a TE we recommend:
From bear to blue chip, Jordan Reed is my top tight end play for week 10. Reed is Kirk Cousin’s favorite target, ranking 2nd on the team in targets, despite missing 2 games with a concussion. He also leads the team in red zone targets with 12, catching 6, and converting 4 touchdowns. The Saints nonexistent pass defense allows nearly 300 passing yards per game and has been torched by Marcus Mariota and Eli Manning in the last 2 weeks. With a Vegas total of 50, this one should be another airshow against the Saints, with plenty of scoring opportunities. The way I see it, why would you pay double the salary for Gronk, when Reed gives you the same 2TD upside for nearly half the price? Get Reed in your lineups, and use the savings to get another of our blue chips at a different position.
“Bull” is inspired by a Bull Market on Wall Street. If you’re looking for a high ceiling with a moderate salary:
Tight end is the most volatile position in the NFL. Posting a dud at tight end can drain the potential from any lineup. We don’t necessarily have to hit a home run, we just need to reach value. Kyle Rudolph is in a great spot to do just that I week 10. Rudolph only has 2 catches a game in each of the last 3, but we all know anything can happen against the Raiders. Last Jesse James added his name to the long list of tight ends with touchdowns against the Raiders this season. Rudolph is 3rd on the Vikings in targets, and 1st in red zone looks. If Crockett Gilmore can go for 5-88-2, it’s certainly reasonable for Rudolph to post 5-50-1 and crush value in week 10.
If you’re looking for near minimum salary with the potential to out perform the Blue Chip market:
There isn’t a lot of deep value at tight end this week, but Scott Chandler will go under the radar as a good value against the Giants. Gronk gets so much attention as the top tight end in New England, and rightfully so, but, Scott Chandler has been quietly productive in the red zone. Chandler has 7 red zone targets on the season, converting 3 into touchdowns. The Giants rank 30th in points allowed to tight ends and have allowed 4 touchdowns. We will need a touchdown for Chandler to reach value, but with the Patriots pedal to the metal offense, and the highest Vegas team total of the week, the opportunity will be there.
“Bear” also draws inspiration from Wall Street. Stay away this week:
The Injury bug has bit the Steelers hard this season. With Big Ben out once again, Heath Millers numbers will likely dip. Weeks 4-8, when Ben missed, Landry Jones and Mike Vick just didn’t look his way. During that stretch, Miller’s targets were 3, 2,3,1,2. It’s impossible to produce when the ball isn’t thrown your way. Expect a heavy dose of Deangelo Williams in Pittsburgh Sunday, but don’t expect a lot of points. Vegas has a game total of just 41 for both teams. This is a spot I am going to avoid.
