Tight end production has been brutal this season with even the most reliable options producing very inconsistent weeks. With very few options to count on, one strategy to consider trying is going with an ultra-cheap play that comes with upside. While these bargain TE plays listed are high-risk, there are reasons to have hope that they can put together a good week even though they come at bargain salaries.
If you’re looking for an ultra-cheap flex play, it’s also worth remembering that no wide receiver or running back has a salary under $3,000, so these tight ends can also be extremely cheap options at your flex spot to give you more salary cap flexibility elsewhere.
Here are five punt plays I like at tight end in Week 4 that come with good ceilings even though they’re high risk. In season-long leagues, you can snag some of these bargain TEs on the waiver wire if you’re desperate at the position.
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Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers ($2,700)
Now that Andy Dalton ($5,300) has brought the power back to the Panthers’ offense, Tremble is an intriguing punt play. He’s extremely cheap under $3,000 and has served as the team’s top tight end since Ian Thomas (calf) is on IR.
Tremble missed Week 1 with his own injury but has played the last two weeks, catching three passes in each game. He finished with 23 and 29 receiving yards, so he hasn’t racked up a ton of yardage yet, but he is involved enough to be a punt play.
Tremble isn’t known as a great blocker but the film shows significant improvement in Week 3. Without Adam Thielen (hamstring) and with Diontae Johnson ($5,600; groin) questionable, there could be more targets available for the big tight end this week against the Bengals.
Cincinnati hasn’t given up a tight end touchdown yet this season but has given up a total of 11 caches for 99 yards.
Elijah Higgins, Arizona Cardinals, ($3,100)
I wrote up Higgins as a strong tight end play for this week with Trey McBride (concussion) ruled out. In his limited work in the first three weeks of the season, Higgins snagged all four of the passes thrown his way for a total of 41 yards.
The Cardinals’ matchup with the Commanders is expected to be one of the highest-scoring contests of the week, and getting Higgins at just over $3,000 leaves you plenty of salary to spend up in other spots.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars ($3,100)
I also wrote about Strange as a good starting option since he’ll continue to play this week in place of Evan Engram (hamstring). Strange caught his second NFL touchdown last week and has totaled 11 targets in his two games filling in for Engram.
Strange has a little more down-field potential than the other options on this list, but he also has a lower floor since the Jaguars offense has struggled so badly this season coming into its matchup with Houston on the road.
Jordan Akins, Cleveland Browns ($3,000)
With David Njoku (ankle) still sidelined, Akins is set up to make another start for the Browns. He was quiet in Week 2 in his first start in place of Njoku but drew seven targets last week against the Giants, catching four passes for 29 yards. Those seven targets tied him for second on the team with Jerry Jeudy ($5,200) behind only Amari Cooper ($6,300).
While the Browns continue to try to find their rhythm on offense, Akins should continue to be a solid check-down choice for Deshaun Watson ($5,400). He should get enough targets to return some value, especially since the Raiders have given up over 50 yards per game to opposing tight ends so far this season.
Erick All Jr., Cincinnati Bengals ($2,500)
If you really want to go cheap, All is actually an interesting play since the Bengals are in a favorable spot against the Panthers and All is carving out a role for himself even though he’s operating as the Bengals’ third tight end.
The fourth-round rookie from Iowa only played 12 snaps (24%) in Week 1 but that jumped to 52% in Week 2 and 34% in Week 3. In each of his last two games, he has been targeted four times, even though he hasn’t been on the field as much as Mike Gesicki ($3,500) or Drew Sample ($3,000). When given the chance, All has caught every one of his targets, totaling eight catches for 54 yards against the Chiefs and Commanders.
This week, All and the Bengals face the Panthers, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. The Panthers have given up two tight end touchdowns this season and an average of 51 yards per game to the position. In this matchup, All will be a great source of leverage and savings. He’s a punt play that gives you lots of extra salary to spend in other spots and still provides the potential to deliver some solid fantasy points of his own.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is z.thompson) 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 do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. 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.
