In this piece, I highlight tight ends who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
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Top NFL DFS Tight End Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are two tight ends near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Dallas Goedert
- Hayden Hurst
We’ll discuss why these two are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other tight ends.
Top Model NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Dallas Goedert ($4,100 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers (46.5 total)
Dallas Goedert had an impressive touchdown on the opening drive last week to kick off one of his best fantasy performances of the year, catching five balls for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also was close to finding paydirt for a second time, as he was tackled on the three-yard line.
Goedert actually has the toughest matchup of all tight ends on the weekend, as San Francisco has allowed the 10th-fewest DraftKings points to opposing tight ends. However, Goedert comes in at a very cheap price, and he has averaged 1.87 yards per route run and 7.6 yards per catch on the season.
He leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus and is tied at the top in Points/Salary. His salary opens up a lot of roster constructions this week, and he’s flashed a high ceiling that can occasionally compete with some of the top dogs.
Goedert is the top option in our Cash Game and Tournament Model and Chris Raybon’s Pro Model.
Hayden Hurst ($3,000 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (+1.5) at Kansas City Chiefs (48 total)
Hayden Hurst has consistently seen his role increase at the right time, with five, six, and six targets in the past three weeks. He caught five of six targets for 59 yards and a touchdown last week and should’ve had a second touchdown if Joe Burrow’s pass was a little more on target.
Hurst has quietly been second on the team in target share since Ja’Marr Chase returned from his injury, seeing a target on 20.6% of his routes with Chase back. Hurst got hurt when these teams played in Week 13, but he had two catches on three targets for 12 yards before getting hurt.
The Chiefs have actually been solid to opposing tight ends, allowing merely 6.8 yards per target. Evan Engram had been scorching hot and was held to merely five catches for 31 yards last week. However, Hurst is cheap and very involved in this offense, warranting him as a good play.
He’s tied atop the position in Points/Salary and is the top option in Sean Koerner’s Pro Model.
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Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Travis Kelce ($7,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5) vs. Cincinnati Eagles (48 total)
Travis Kelce reminded everyone last week why he is the top dog at the tight end position, catching 14 of 17 targets for 98 yards and two touchdowns. It was his third 30-point DraftKings game of the season and was a nice way to break him out of his two-game slump.
You shouldn’t need too much reasoning at this point to play Kelce, but he has the best matchup of all tight ends on the weekend. Cincinnati has allowed the 23rd-fewest DraftKings points to opposing tight ends, with all three other defenses ranking in the top 15.
Kelce is a great target this weekend.
George Kittle ($5,200 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel): San Francisco 49ers (+2.5) at Philadelphia Eagles (46.5 total)
George Kittle is looked to in pivotal moments by this San Francisco offense, and he seems to have a strong connection with Brock Purdy. Kittle caught five balls for 95 yards last week, scoring double-digit DraftKings points for the fifth time in six games.
Kittle is a very boom-or-bust DFS player, which is exactly what you look for when trying to win a tournament. The matchup is certainly difficult,t as Philadelphia has allowed merely 6.6 yards per target to opposing tight ends. They have allowed an average of five yards after the catch to tight ends, so maybe Kittle could make some big plays with the ball in his hands.
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