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.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
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.
- Travis Kelce
- Evan Engram
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
Travis Kelce ($7,700 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-9) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (53 total)
Travis Kelce had a fairly lackluster end to the season, combining for just 21.1 DraftKings points in the team’s final two games. He had less than 12 DraftKings points in four of the final six games after coming in below that number just once in the first 11 games.
Kelce was solid against Jacksonville in Week 10, catching six of seven targets for 81 yards and a touchdown en route to 20.1 DraftKings points. The Jaguars have allowed the highest yards per target to opposing tight ends, the third-highest yards per catch, and the third-most yards after the catch to opposing tight ends. Who has the most yards after the catch at the tight end position? Travis Kelce.
Kelce laps the position in Projected Plus/Minus and has a ceiling that few can reach. His ceiling projection is 13 points higher than the next closest tight end, which makes him a no-brainer to lead our Tournament Model.
He’s also the top option in Chris Raybon and Sean Koerner’s Pro Models.
Evan Engram ($4,300 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) at Kansas City Chiefs (53 total)
Evan Engram has been a staple of Jacksonville’s passing game, and he was once again last week in a very pass-heavy game script. Engram saw 11 targets, catching seven balls for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Engram didn’t do much when these teams first played, catching just three balls for 14 yards on four targets. His role in this offense has grown since then, and he’s seen seven or more targets in five of the past seven games. He had poor performances in a blowout victory over Jacksonville and a gross game against Tennessee. Outside of those two games, Engram has been dynamite.
The matchup is nothing special, as Kansas City has allowed just a 62.6% catch rate to opposing tight ends, as well as 6.9 yards per target. They have allowed the eighth-highest touchdown rate, so maybe Engram could find paydirt.
Engram is tied with Kelce at the top of the position in Points/Salary. He’s the top option in our Cash Game Model.
Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Dalton Schultz ($4,200 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel): Dallas Cowboys (+4) at San Francisco 49ers (46.5 total)
Dalton Schultz came to play last week in Tampa Bay, catching seven of eight targets for 95 yards and two touchdowns in an absolute trouncing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Schultz has consistently been one of Prescott’s top targets, and he’s now found the end zone four times in the past three weeks.
Schultz has been an ultimate boom-or-bust tight end, with 13+ DraftKings points in seven games and single-digit points in nine games, including less than four points in four games. The matchup is tough, as San Francisco has allowed the fifth-fewest yards per target to opposing tight ends and the eighth-lowest touchdown rate.
Hayden Hurst ($3,200 DraftKings, $5,000 FanDuel): Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) at Buffalo Bills (49 total)
Hayden Hurst started to become involved since returning from injury in Week 17, and he had solid usage last week against Baltimore. He had a big fumble, but he still caught four of six targets for 45 yards. He also had a touchdown reversed on replay, which could’ve given him a far bigger fantasy score. He’s an attractive option in potentially the most exciting game environment of the weekend.
Buffalo has allowed the second-fewest yards per target to opposing tight ends and gave up their first touchdown of the year to a tight end last week. He did have two catches for 25 yards on the opening drive when these teams were playing in Week 17 before the game was called, so he could potentially find the same production here.
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