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There aren’t many tight ends worth choosing from in these wild card matchups. The only players with enough usage to feel good to somewhat good about rostering are Jared Cook, Dallas Goedert, Jacob Hollister and Josh Perkins. Jonnu Smith, Irv Smith Jr. and Kyle Rudolph are worth looking into but consistency is a problem.
Dallas Goedert, Eagles ($5,200)
If Zach Ertz plays I’ll be shocked, as his kidney injury isn’t something to mess around with and I doubt they do anything more than make the Seahawks prepare for Ertz by making him a game-time decision. That should leave Goedert as the top target for Carson Wentz once again. With Ertz out last week Goedert has 12 and 10 targets in the last two games with Ertz injured and out. Greg Ward and Boston Scott are second in targets with 12 in that span. The workload is better than any other tight end going and his matchup isn’t bad either, as Seattle has given up the second-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, including 19 receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown to Ertz and Goedert in Week 12.
Jared Cook, Saints ($4,900)
Cook is a start for sure this week, but I’m a little worried about his matchup, as the Vikings rank first in DVOA against tight ends, buoyed by safety Anthony Harris’ strong play this season. Cook and Drew Brees have been too good together to drop him too far down though, as he’s been a Top-3 fantasy tight end in the second half of the season and his price isn’t outrageous. We need to temper expectations, but with so few options, going with the stud option is better than getting too risky.
Joshua Perkins, Eagles (2,900)
The Eagles targeted their tight ends 22 times the last time the Seahawks came to town and they will likely need to give them another healthy bombardment of targets this week, as they are down to the dregs at receiver. Last week with Ertz out, Perkins picked up some slack and caught 4-of-6 targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. A similar game isn’t out of the question this week and at just $2,900, he can be a good cost saver for your lineups.