Below are our updated Week 9 tight end rankings for full-PPR scoring. Each projection factors in DraftKings team totals, opponent matchup data and depth chart snap shares across the full slate.
Week 9 TE Rankings
Rankings are for full-PPR scoring.
Opp Rank = opponent ranking in DK fantasy points allowed to the position (1st = toughest, 32nd = most generous), blending 2025 full-season data with limited 2026 results.
Projected points blend 2025 per-game DK fantasy averages with 2026 weekly performance, adjusted for opponent matchup, game environment, snap share and expected game script.
| Rank | Player | Matchup | Last Week | Projected | Opp Rank | DK Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Bowers † | LV @ SF | 28.2 | 20.7 | 12th | $7,900 |
| 2 | George Kittle | SF vs. LV | — | 19.4 | 29th | $6,000 |
| 3 | Trey McBride | ARI @ SEA | 20.2 | 17.3 | 6th | $7,700 |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta | DET @ MIA | 6.5 | 13.5 | 30th | $5,100 |
| 5 | Tyler Warren † | IND vs. DAL | 5.8 | 13.1 | 21st | $4,600 |
| 6 | Isaiah Likely | NYG @ PHI | — | 12.8 | 2nd | $5,000 |
| 7 | Travis Kelce † | KC vs. NYJ | 11.7 | 12.7 | 19th | $4,900 |
| 8 | Tucker Kraft | GB @ NE | 17.3 | 11.9 | 10th | $5,500 |
| 9 | Harold Fannin Jr. | CLE @ NO | 27.4 | 11.7 | 25th | $4,700 |
| 10 | Colston Loveland † | CHI vs. TB | 12.5 | 11.0 | 23rd | TBD* |
| 11 | Mike Gesicki | CIN @ ATL | 17.6 | 10.7 | 18th | TBD* |
| 12 | T.J. Hockenson | MIN vs. BUF | 15.8 | 10.5 | 13th | TBD* |
| 13 | Dalton Kincaid | BUF @ MIN | 18.6 | 10.3 | 1st | TBD* |
| 14 | Brenton Strange | JAX @ BAL | 7.5 | 9.7 | 16th | $7,400* |
| 15 | Hunter Henry † | NE vs. GB | 6.0 | 9.5 | 3rd | $4,500 |
| 16 | Juwan Johnson | NO vs. CLE | — | 9.3 | 20th | $4,200 |
| 17 | Dallas Goedert | PHI vs. NYG | 7.2 | 9.1 | 9th | $4,400 |
| 18 | Michael Mayer | LV @ SF | 10.3 | 9.1 | 12th | $3,400 |
| 19 | Dalton Schultz | HOU @ LAC | — | 8.8 | 4th | $3,200 |
| 20 | Kyle Pitts Sr. | ATL vs. CIN | 2.6 | 8.7 | 27th | TBD* |
| 21 | Tyler Higbee | LAR @ WAS | 2.4 | 8.6 | 31st | $3,700 |
| 22 | Jake Ferguson † | DAL @ IND | 0.0 | 7.9 | 22nd | $3,900 |
| 23 | Darren Waller | CAR vs. DEN | 2.1 | 7.5 | 26th | $3,300 |
| 24 | Mason Taylor | NYJ @ KC | 4.9 | 7.5 | 28th | $3,100 |
| 25 | AJ Barner | SEA vs. ARI | 4.3 | 7.2 | 24th | $3,800 |
| 26 | Greg Dulcich | MIA vs. DET | 8.3 | 7.2 | 32nd | $3,100 |
| 27 | Mark Andrews † | BAL vs. JAX | 4.4 | 6.0 | 8th | $4,400* |
| 28 | Tommy Tremble | CAR vs. DEN | 2.9 | 5.9 | 26th | $2,600 |
| 29 | Eli Raridon | NE vs. GB | 1.5 | 5.8 | 3rd | $3,500 |
| 30 | Chig Okonkwo | WAS vs. LAR | 4.2 | 5.7 | 7th | $3,600 |
* Thursday Night, Madrid, Sunday Night and Monday Night salaries shown are FLEX prices from DraftKings Showdown contests, which use a Captain/FLEX format with different salary structures than the Sunday Main classic slate.
† Designations have not been released.
Injuries to Monitor
- Brock Bowers † (Calf): Was a full participant last Thursday and played in Week 8, catching seven passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Monitor this week’s practice reports.
- Tyler Warren † (Groin): Returned from a two-game absence in Week 8 and led the Colts in targets. Monitor this week’s practice reports.
- Travis Kelce † (Ankle): Played in Week 8 without a designation. Monitor this week’s practice reports.
- Colston Loveland † (Neck): Played Monday night without a designation. Chicago is on a short week before hosting Tampa Bay on Sunday night.
- Hunter Henry † (Foot): Left in the first half of Week 8 and was ruled out in the fourth quarter. Eli Raridon played 93% of the offensive snaps.
- Jake Ferguson † (Ankle): Was ruled out early in the Week 8 overtime loss to Arizona with a low ankle sprain. His practice participation Wednesday through Friday will determine his availability.
- Mark Andrews † (Hand): Was a full participant Monday on Baltimore’s first Week 9 injury report. Lamar Jackson is out, and Jesse Minter said Tyler Huntley (toe) “probably” won’t play Thursday, leaving undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano in line to start.
DraftKings DFS Value Plays
Sam LaPorta ($5,100) — Lions @ Dolphins
Game environment: Lions -7, O/U 50.5 (27.5 team total)
Last week: 6.5 DK points vs. MIN
2025 PPG: 11.9 DK fantasy points (9 games)
Projected DraftKings points: 13.5
LaPorta ranks fourth at the position for $900 less than George Kittle. Miami has allowed 19.3 DK points per game to tight ends this season, well above the league average of 14.1, and ranks 30th against the position. Detroit’s 27.5-point team total is tied for the third highest on the Sunday Main slate. He has drawn 44 targets in seven games, and two quiet weeks have kept his salary well below Kittle, Trey McBride and Brock Bowers.
Harold Fannin Jr. ($4,700) — Browns @ Saints
Game environment: Browns +2.5, O/U 43.5 (20.5 team total)
Last week: 27.4 DK points @ PIT
2025 PPG: 11.7 DK fantasy points (16 games)
Projected DraftKings points: 11.7
Fannin’s target volume has spiked with 21 targets, 16 catches and 245 yards over his last two games. New Orleans ranks 25th against tight ends and has allowed 17.1 DK points per game to the position this season. Cleveland’s team total is modest, but a 2.5-point spread points to a competitive game, and he ranks ninth at the position for less than Isaiah Likely, Travis Kelce or Tucker Kraft.
Michael Mayer ($3,400) — Raiders @ 49ers
Game environment: Raiders +10, O/U 51.5 (20.5 team total)
Last week: 10.3 DK points @ NYJ
2025 PPG: 5.7 DK fantasy points (13 games)
Projected DraftKings points: 9.1
Mayer has played 81% of the snaps and caught 15 of 18 targets for 180 yards over his last three games. Las Vegas is a 10-point road underdog, a script that should keep the Raiders throwing into the second half. He ranks 18th at the position and costs less than every Sunday’s main tight end ranked above him.