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If you’re a DFS player, you know that a successful lineup has to have a solid combination of big-name star power players that are known commodities with a few high-upside players that provide a little more bang for your buck.
If you pay up for a big name in your daily fantasy lineup, you definitely cannot afford for that player to put up a dud of a game in your lineup.
So here are the tight ends that will likely provide some of the best and worst value for Week 7. (Values from DraftKings).
BEST: Evan Engram (NYG) - $6,500
Engram has returned to practice this week following a Week 5 knee injury. For Engram and the New York Giants, his return couldn’t come at a better time as he’s set to face off against the Arizona Cardinals and the league’s worst defense against opposing tight ends. Make sure you monitor Engram’s practice designation this week, but if he plays in Week 7, he’s an absolute must start after Austin Hooper just continued the trend of putting up big numbers against the Cardinals with 117 yards and a touchdown.
WORST: Darren Waller (OAK) - $4,700
On the flip side of that spectrum is Darren Waller of the Oakland Raiders who are set to face off against the Green Bay Packers, whose defense is showing more and more that they’re one of the top units in the NFL. Currently, the Packers are ranked 6th-best against opposing tight ends, and Waller hasn’t shown yet that he’s of the elite status that can beat any defense stacked up against him. His 71 average receiving yards per game is inflated with a Week 3 game where he logged over 134 yards and he’s still yet to score in 2019. Avoid him this week.
BEST: Mark Andrews (BAL) - $4,900
Mark Andrews didn’t have to do much for the Baltimore Ravens last week as Lamar Jackson rushed for what felt like 1,000 yards in the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Still, when all was said and done, Andrews finished with 99 receiving yards on six receptions. This week, the Ravens face off against Seattle Seahawks who will likely do a better job of containing Lamar’s legs but will struggle at covering Andrews as a receiver. At $2,000 cheaper than the most expensive tight end available this week, he’s a solid value play if you splurge elsewhere in your lineup.
WORST: Eric Ebron (IND) - $3,900
If you’re looking for value, don’t go too cheap, though. Ebron comes another $1,000 cheaper than Andrews this week, but for good reason. Ebron entered the 2019 preseason as a fantasy darling and breakout candidate before Andrew Luck’s surprising retirement shocked the NFL world. Players like Marlon Mack and TY Hilton (when healthy) haven’t dropped off too much with Jacoby Brissett at the helm, but none have dropped off to quite the degree as Eric Ebron. Engram’s caught two touchdowns this season and has failed to top even 50 receiving yards in a single game in 2019. Against the Houston Texans who rank 4th-best against opposing tight ends, there’s no reason to think Ebron is able to buck the trend in Week 7.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is cdunnz) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.