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 150 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 three tight ends near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Dallas Goedert
- Tyler Higbee
- O.J. Howard
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
Dallas Goedert ($4,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel): Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) at Arizona Cardinals (48.5 total)
Dallas Goedert has been a model of consistency for Philadelphia so far, with four to six targets in each game and at least nine DraftKings points in every contest. He saw six targets in last week’s rainstorm en route to 72 yards on five catches. He also had a drop which may have resulted in a touchdown if he hauled it in.
He shows some big play ability from the tight end position, averaging 15.0 yards per catch on the year. Goedert hasn’t reached his ceiling yet, but with how bad the tight end position is, a ceiling performance from Goedert could be useful this week. Especially with big dogs Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews off of the main slate, Goedert is one of the top dogs.
The Arizona Cardinals have gotten trounced by opposing tight ends this year, giving up the third-most fantasy points to the position. They have had to play the likes of Travis Kelce, Darren Waller, and Tyler Higbee this year which is three of the tougher matchups in the league. However, Goedert isn’t far off of those guys at all, especially the latter two.
Dallas Goedert leads our Tournament Model this week and ranks in the top four in Points/Salary.
Tyler Higbee ($4,300 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel): Los Angeles Rams (-5.5) vs. Dallas Cowboys (43 total)
Tyler Higbee is getting used far differently than he has in years past, as he leads all tight ends in targets with 38 while being tied with Travis Kelce for the league lead in receptions at 26. He’s run a route on 84.7% of team dropbacks, good for second in the league. Higbee has had 8.9+ DraftKings points in all four games this year, with a season-high 17.3 last week against the 49ers.
Higbee has yet to find the end zone this year, showing his ceiling hasn’t been seen yet. Most of Higbee’s targets have come around the line of scrimmage, as Stafford has had to get rid of the ball quickly due to some shaky pass protection. Higbee has also seen eight red zone targets on the year, meaning the touchdowns are surely coming.
Dallas is a stingy defense, as they’ve given up merely 7.8 DraftKings points per game to opposing tight ends and a lowly 3.7 yards per target. The matchup is tough, but Higbee’s usage is rivaled by few tight ends in the league.
Higbee is the leader in Points/Salary at the position and leads our Cash Game Model, as well as Chris Raybon’s Pro Model.
O.J. Howard ($2,600 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel): Houston Texans (+7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (43.5 total)
There seems to be a changing of the tides for the Houston Texans’ tight end room, as O.J. Howard played on a season-high 75.4% of snaps, running a route on 65% of team dropbacks. Howard saw five targets, hauling in two of them for 27 yards. Brevin Jordan is set to miss again, so we don’t have to worry about him returning and taking work away from Howard.
Howard started the year hot, catching two touchdowns in Week 1 before going silent in Weeks 2-3. He commanded 30% of the team’s air yards in Week 4, proving himself a capable threat in the intermediate to deep parts of the field. His average depth of target was 14.6 yards, showing he isn’t just a dink-and-dunk tight end.
Jacksonville has been pretty tough on opposing tight ends, ranking fourth in catch rate on the year. Dallas Goedert was able to rack up 72 yards on five catches last week. However, Logan Thomas, Gerald Everett, Kyler Granson, and Mo Alie-Cox combined for only 93 yards on eight catches over the previous three weeks. The matchup isn’t easy, but Howard is quite cheap.
Howard leads Sean Koerner’s Pro Model this weekend.
Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Pat Freiermuth ($4,100 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel): Pittsburgh Steelers (+14) vs. Buffalo Bills (46.5 total)
Despite being a part of one of the more lackluster offenses in the league, Pat Freiermuth has been one of the better fantasy tight ends in the league. He has 12+ DraftKings points in three of four games, including a season-high 15.5-point performance last week against the Jets. Freiermuth trails only Mark Andrews in target rate per route run on the year.
He was tied for the team lead with four targets after Kenny Pickett entered the game. He caught three of four targets for 36 yards. The matchup isn’t anything to write home about, as Buffalo is allowing a league-low 48% catch rate to opposing tight ends, and 4.1 yards per target. They also just locked up Mark Andrews, who had 15 yards on two catches.
Tyler Conklin ($3,700 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel): New York Jets (+3) vs. Miami Dolphins (45.5 total)
The quarterback change didn’t seem to have too much of an effect on Tyler Conklin. He saw five targets from Wilson, catching three balls for 52 yards. It was his first game without double-digit DraftKings points, but no means to worry. He still ran a route on 73% of team dropbacks, and he’s seen 29 targets on the year.
The matchup with Miami is exploitable, as they’ve allowed 8.3 yards per target and a 5.7% touchdown rate on the year. They’ve surrendered the 5th-most DraftKings points to opposing tight ends, but most of that is due to Mark Andrews’ 28.7-point performance back in Week 2.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Understanding Ceiling Projections for NFL DFS Tournaments
NFL DFS Showdown: Lineup Optimizer Rules and My Favorite Angle in Chargers vs. Chiefs
Steelers-Browns Same Game Parlay: NFL Player Prop Picks, Over/Under, More, Using Parlay IQ for Thursday Night Football
Week 4 NFL DFS Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
