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The tight end position was actually exciting in Week 14! For a position that usually doesn’t separate itself from the rest of the field, we had some big time performances from names like Zach Ertz, Noah Fant and Tyler Higbee. Jared Cook was on his way to a massive day against the 49ers before leaving with a concussion. To soften the blow, he did catch two touchdowns on his only two targets and 64 yards.
Hopefully, Week 15 will bring some of that production at the tight end position. We do have some expensive options to consider above the $4K range, so lets dive into what we could see. Salaries via DraftKings.
David Njoku (CLE) - $4,200
It’s hard to justify paying up for Njoku when quite frankly, what have you done for us lately? After being sidelined for the majority of the season, Njoku finally made his way back last week and was used sparingly, playing on 37% of the snaps while receiving three targets. Not great right? Of course not, so what are we doing here?
Well, the Browns are playing the Cardinals and according to the fantasy flow chart (which doesn’t actually exist) you must play opposing tight ends against the Cardinals. I’m sure you’re already aware but the Cardinals have allowed the most fantasy points to this position by a large margin. Allowing a massive 20.6 per game, teams have averaged 75 receiving yards and scored 13 touchdowns to their tight ends. For comparison, the Seahawks have allowed the second most fantasy points for an average of 16.7 with an average of 70 receiving yards and six touchdowns scored. You won’t feel great about using Njoku because of his lack of production but the matchup is worth it.
Noah Fant (DEN) - $4,100
I don’t think anyone was more excited about the change in quarterback to Drew Lock than Fant was in Week 14. Before exiting with a foot/hip injury, Fant caught all four of his targets for 113 yards and a touchdown, good for 24.3 DKFP against the Texans. While he’s still questionable to play against the Chiefs, it’s a fantastic matchup if he’s healthy.
The Chiefs have been very tough against opposing wide receivers and have really shut them down. However, tight ends have been a different story and the Chiefs are allowing an aveage of 15 DKFP, 62 receiving yards and four touchdowns scored. While we want to see if Lock and Fant can start connecting on a more regular basis, Week 14 certainly opened the possibilities. In a game where the Broncos are +9.5 underdogs, one would envision a lot of throwing from Lock, who as I mentioned, could struggle to hit his wide receivers. Njoku has the better matchup but Fant feels a bit safer coming off his big week.
Zach Ertz (PHI) - $6,000
If people are looking to pay up at tight end, Ertz is likely where eyes are going to land. He’s coming off that 30.1 DKFP game against the Giants after making nine receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns, one of which gave the Eagles the win in overtime. After a very sluggish span during the middle of the season, Ertz is seemingly coming back to life, averaging 21.8 DKFP over his last five games.
Week 15 brings a matchup against the Redskins, who have allowed four touchdowns to opposing tight ends over the last four weeks and an average of 18.8 DKFP in that span. After seeing a total of 10 red zone targets through the first 10 weeks of the season, Ertz has been peppered with nine over the past three weeks, including six last week. While it’ll feel enticing to save some salary and take someone like Njoku or Fant, Ertz has found his way back into a routine where he provides a safe floor and the high upside we’ve come accustomed too when rostering him.