In this piece, I highlight tight ends that 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 as the projections 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.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace. Projections from One Week Season and Establish the Run are available if you’re a subscriber to those specific sites (our optimizer is a separate add-on feature).
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
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.
- Trey McBride
- Evan Engram
We’ll discuss why these two are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other tight ends.
Try Our New SimLabs Tool!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new NFL DFS simulations tool! Try SimLabs for FREE while it’s still in beta.
Top Model NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Trey McBride ($4,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel): Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams (45.5 total)
Trey McBride didn’t light up the stat sheet, but his underlying usage was still very strong last week. He played every snap and had a 24% target share. He’s now seen nine and seven targets in Kyler Murray’s two games back from injury. His solid run began even before Murray took over, as he had a 25.5-point performance back in Week 8.
Los Angeles has allowed the ninth-most DraftKings points to opposing tight ends, and the Arizona tight ends had a solid outing when these teams last played. McBride and Zach Ertz combined to catch six of 10 targets for 84 yards. Ertz can be activated off of IR, but as of now, it appears that he won’t suit up this week.
McBride leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus and is tied atop the position in Points/Salary.
He’s the top option in our Cash Model.
Evan Engram ($4,200 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel): Jacksonville Jaguars (-1.5) at Houston Texans (47.5 total)
We’re still waiting on Evan Engram‘s first touchdown of the season. He’s coming off of two poor performances, with 5.2 and 6.9 DraftKings points over the past two weeks. He doesn’t have much of a role close to the goal line, with just 7.4% of the team’s red zone targets.
However, this matchup shapes up nicely, as Houston has allowed the most receptions per game and the eighth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing tight ends. In my opinion, Engram is still underpriced, and our models agree. He’s tied at the top in Points/Salary, and ranks second in Projected Plus/Minus.
These two led our models last week, and strong usage but a poor box score led to their prices remaining similar.
Engram is the top option in our Tournament Model, as well as Sean Koerner and Chris Raybon’s Pro Models.
Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Travis Kelce ($8,200 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-8.5) at Las Vegas Raiders (43 total)
It feels like it’s been forever since we’ve had Travis Kelce on a main slate. He caught seven of nine targets for 44 yards and a touchdown last week against the Eagles. Kelce was scorching hot in the middle of the year but has hit a lull over the past three games. He’s caught 16 balls for 116 yards and a touchdown over the past three weeks. Those numbers would be moderate for other tight ends, but this is Travis Kelce.
Las Vegas has allowed the 13th-fewest DraftKings points to opposing tight ends on the year but the highest catch rate. We haven’t seen a Kelce ceiling game in a little while now, but it’s still in there.
David Njoku ($4,100 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel): Cleveland Browns (+1.5) at Denver Broncos (36 total)
David Njoku was peppered with volume last week, seeing 15 targets from Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He turned those 15 targets into seven catches for 56 yards. Njoku has quietly now had double-digit DraftKings points in five straight games.
Denver has allowed the most DraftKings points per game to tight ends, and we know Thompson-Robinson is likely to pepper Njoku. Most of his targets came around the line of scrimmage, so he’s reliant on volume to pay off. Njoku saw seven targets in Thompson-Robinson’s start back in Week 4, so it’s likely Njoku is peppered once again.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $100 deposit match.
My Favorite NFL DFS Tight End Leverage Pick(s)
Dalton Kincaid ($5,300 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel): Buffalo Bills (+3) at Philadelphia Eagles (48.5 total)
We’re keeping the Bills train rolling, with Dalton Kincaid checking in as my top tight end. I was torn between him and Njoku, but Kincaid’s offensive environment is far better, and I think he has the upside to actually separate at the tight end position.
He has double-digit DraftKings points in five straight games, and this is likely the last time we can play Kincaid with Knox inactive. This game environment is appealing, and Philadelphia has allowed the fourth-most yards per target, second-highest touchdown rate, and fifth-most DraftKings points per game to opposing tight ends.
He will certainly be one of the higher-owned tight ends of the weekend, but he’s appealing due to the game environment and ceiling. I’m also just very high on Buffalo’s passing game as a whole, and Kincaid is a big part of it.
