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 atop the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Travis Kelce
- Dallas Goedert
We’ll discuss why these 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 ($6,600 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-6) at Arizona Cardinals (53.5 total)
Travis Kelce will turn 33 shortly, but he appears to be as dangerous of a receiving weapon as ever. With Tyreek Hill no longer in the equation, Patrick Mahomes could lean on his big man more than usual. Kelce topped 95 yards in all three postseason games last year and found the end zone in all three as well.
Kelce was simply a monster, again, last season. He had two performances of less than 17.7 DraftKings points from Week 1-11 and topped 20 DraftKings points eight different times. He also exploded on a Thursday night showdown against the Chargers, erupting for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns en route to 44.1 DraftKings points.
The Cardinals were stout against opposing tight ends last season, surrendering the third-fewest yards per game. However, they didn’t face the most impressive array of tight ends, matching up with none of Kelce, Andrews, Pitts, Waller, Gesicki, or Goedert last year. Few teams possess a tight end of Kelce’s caliber, so it’s hard to read too much about performances against other tight ends.
Kelce had a 21.7% target share last year, and with Tyreek Hill and his 25.4% target share vacating the offense, Kelce could see even more work. Mahomes will look to Kelce in critical moments, especially in the red zone. As long as Kelce doesn’t take a step back physically, he should be in store for another big season. In this exciting game environment this Sunday, we’re all in on Kelce.
Kelce leads one of our Pro Models, as well as our Cash and Tournament Models.
Dallas Goedert ($4,500 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-4) at Detroit Lions (48.5 total)
Dallas Goedert is looking to continue his run from the end of 2021, where he posted double-digit DraftKings points in four of his last five games, with two of 23+. He averaged 11.6 DraftKings points per game on the season and seemed to build up some chemistry with Jalen Hurts. Goedert commanded a 15.4% target share yet only found the end zone four times all season. Goedert could be due for some positive regression in the touchdown department.
In 2021, the Lions surrendered the fifth-most receptions to opposing tight ends and the second-most yards. They allowed the ninth-most DraftKings points per game to tight ends. Despite these poor numbers, only Mark Andrews topped 15 DraftKings points against Detroit with 18.9.
With the Eagles deploying a fairly run-heavy attack, Goedert doesn’t have an insanely high ceiling. However, he has chemistry with Hurts, and he has a big enough role in the offense where Hurts will look his way in passing situations.
Goedert leads one of our Pro Models on DraftKings. With a solid role in an offense that is expected to take a jump this year, we’re high on Dallas Goedert this weekend.
Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Mark Andrews ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-7) at New York Jets (44.5 total)
Although Travis Kelce seems to be the top dog at tight end, Mark Andrews is the reigning fantasy TE1 in DraftKings points. Andrews averaged 18.7 DraftKings points per game and is looking to pick up where he left off. Andrews showed a massive ceiling, with four games of 29+ DraftKings points. Andrews saw double-digit targets in eight games, and with Marquise Brown out of town, that number could go up.
This matchup is the epitome of “exploitable.” The Jets allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points to opposing wide receivers last year and allowed Dallas Goedert and Rob Gronkowski to top 20 DraftKings points. The only reason to be cautious is blowout risk. The Ravens sit as touchdown favorites, and a lop-sided contest could lead Baltimore to lean on the run heavily in the second half.
Kyle Pitts ($5,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): Atlanta Falcons (+5.5) vs. New Orleans Saints (43 total)
One of the most hyped-up prospects of all time enters year two, as Kyle Pitts looks to lead Atlanta’s offense. Pitts will have Marcus Mariota throwing to him this year, who was able to help Delanie Walker produce multiple valuable fantasy seasons. Walker had 800+ yards in all three seasons with Mariota. Walker was an amazing athlete, just like Pitts.
Pitts had a solid 2021, with seven double-digit DraftKings point performances and two games above 25 DraftKings points. “Bet on talent” is a common theme in Daily Fantasy Sports, and Kyle Pitts definitely fits that bill. The matchup with New Orleans is tough, but Pitts’ talent is undeniable.
Pitts is intriguing at low ownership.
Irv Smith Jr. ($3,400 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel): Minnesota Vikings (+1.5) vs. Green Bay Packers (47 total)
Irv Smith Jr. missed all of 2021 with a knee injury but is poised to perform in 2022. Smith Jr. had some solid scores in 2020, posting DraftKings scores of 15, 16.3, and 23.3 with Minnesota in 2020. Tyler Conklin led Minnesota’s tight end room last year with Smith Jr. out, but Conklin is now with the Jets
Green Bay got touched up by tight ends last year, giving up the 11th-most DraftKings points per game to opposing tight ends. Green Bay does have a talented defense, but their efforts will probably be tailored more towards stopping Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook, not Smith Jr. At such a cheap price, Smith Jr. doesn’t need much to pay off his salary.
