Last week, six tight ends scored more than 20.00 fantasy points, led by Dalton Schultz (10/130/1). Cade Otton (24.00) finished second, followed by Cole Kmet (23.50). The best tight end over the past three weeks has been Taysom Hill (20.12 FPPG). Here are the top five players by scoring average after nine weeks in PPR formats:

• Travis Kelce (15.63)
• T.J. Hockenson (14.63)
• Mark Andrews (13.86)
• Sam LaPorta (13.80)
• Cole Kmet (12.06)

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 8 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 10 DFS: QB Report.

Top Tier Options

Mark Andrews, BAL (DK – $6,900/FD – $7,300)

Even in a blowout game against the Seahawks, Andrews caught a season-high nine passes for 80 yards on 10 targets. He averaged 16.95 fantasy points in PPR formats over his last six starts, highlighted by two winning outputs (25.00 and 22.30). On the downside, Andrews averaged only 6.9 targets. His best game (5/80/2) came in Week 4 vs. the Browns.

Cleveland has the best tight end defense (19/155/2 on 28 targets). They held seven opponents to fewer than 6.00 fantasy points (CIN – 3/17, PIT – 1/2, TEN – 3/7, SF – 1/1, IND – 1/-6, SEA – 2/32, and ARI – 3/22). The Browns played well defensively in three games (3, 3, and 0 points allowed) while showing much more weakness on the road (88 points over three matchups). They have 26 sacks, requiring the tight end to help in pass protection on some plays.

The Ravens’ offense has been exceptional over their last three games (106 points), leading to 13 touchdowns and five field goals over 34 possessions. Baltimore runs the ball well, especially in scoring (15 touchdowns). Andrews will have some chances at the goal line, but he needs a wide open game to fill his salary bucket. Not ideal for his salary, but I can’t dismiss him. 

George Kittle, SF (DK – $6,1000/FD – $6,300)

A chaser game in Week 8 led to Kittle setting season-highs in catches (9), receiving yards (149), and targets (11), lifting him to sixth in tight end scoring (94.50 fantasy points). Over eight starts, he has been a losing investment in four matchups (3/19, 3/30, 1/9, and 1/1) while receiving 12 combined targets in those games. His best three days came at home (7/90, 3/67/3, and 9/149). The injury to Deebo Samuel bumped up his value over the two previous weeks.

The Jaguars rank 25th…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

The injury to Zach Ertz was a big win for Trey McBride investors in Week 8. He was the top-scoring tight end (25.50) in PPR formats while finishing with his best career game (10/95/1). George Kittle (23.90), Taysom Hill (22.90), and T.J. Hockenson (20.80) were the only other players to score more than 20.00 fantasy points. Five other tight ends scored between 17.50 and 19.80 fantasy points. Here’s a look at the top five tight ends after eight weeks by scoring average:

• Travis Kelce (17.04)
• T.J. Hockenson (14.73)
• Sam LaPorta (13.80)
• Mark Andrews (13.46)
• George Kittle (11.81)

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 8 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 9 DFS: QB Report.

Top-Tier Option

Mark Andrews, BAL (DK – $6,800/FD – $7,500)

With Travis Kelce off the main slate on Sunday, Andrews has the highest salary at tight end at DraftKings and FanDuel. His targets have been low in five (5, 5, 6, 6, and 5) of his six starts, leading to no game with impact catches (six in Week 5) or yards (high of 80 in Week 4). Andrews posted his best fantasy point games (25.00 and 22.30) when he scored twice in each matchup. In 2022, Baltimore gave him double-digit targets in five contests, leading to four winning days (9/104/1, 8/89/2, 8/89/1, and 7/106/1).

Seattle sits 12th in tight end defense (30/342/1), with the worst showing coming last week vs. the Browns (5/83/1). They played two teams with weakness at tight end (CAR – 3/34 and CIN – 2/9). The Seahawks’ defense struggled over their first three games (30, 31, and 27) in points allowed. Over the last four games, they allowed 50 combined points and only five touchdowns.

Andrews appears to be overpriced in the daily market in Week 9, suggesting he’s only in play if using him with Lamar Jackosn and hoping for a much higher-scoring game than expected. Ultimately, Seattle needs to jump out to a big lead to force the Ravens to attempt more passes.

Mid-Tier Options

Dallas Goedert, PHI (DK – $4,800/FD – $5,800)

Over the past month, Goedert has been an every-other-week player (8/117/1, 5/42, 5/77/1, and 4/36), with his best outcomes coming in odd weeks. The Eagles gave him seven targets or more in five of his last seven starts. Last year, he posted two dull games (2/22 and 3/67) vs. the Cowboys. 

Dallas ranks 20th…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

The top five tight ends in Week 7 were all chalk players. Travis Kelce (12/179/1) posted an impact game, leading to him opening up a 27.50 fantasy point lead in tight end scoring. Darren Waller (7/98/1) finished second, followed by Mark Andrews (4/63/2), T.J. Hockenson (11/86), and Dallas Goedert (5/77/1). The best two outlier tight ends with uptick games last week were Taysom Hill (5/68/1) and Dalton Kincaid (8/75). Here’s a look at the top five tight ends after seven weeks based on fantasy points per game in PPR formats:

• Travis Kelce (17.79)
• T.J. Hockenson (13.86)
• Mark Andrews (13.39)
• Sam LaPorta (12.96)
• Darren Waller (79.00)

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 8 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 8 DFS: QB Report.

Top Tier Option

Travis Kelce, KC (DK – $8,400/FD – $9,000)

After a slow start to the season in yards (26, 69, 60, and 67), Kelce started to make bigger plays over the last two games (three catches of 20 yards or more, with two reaching the 40-yard mark). He scored more than 20.00 fantasy points in three consecutive games, highlighted by his production in Week 7 (12/179/1). Over the last three weeks, Kelce has 31 catches for 370 yards and two touchdowns on 33 targets (93.9% catch rate). In Week 6, he had nine catches for 124 yards on nine targets against the Broncos.

Denver ranks 28th defending tight ends (42/486/3 on 50 targets). Their biggest failures came against Washington (7/89/1), Chicago (10/111/2), and Kansas City (11/138). The Broncos’ pass defense allows 8.4 yards per pass attempt, with quarterbacks tossing 16 touchdowns over seven games.

Kelce has an insanely high salary, one that he reached in fantasy points once in 2023 (35.90) and twice in 2022 (33.50 and 35.50). He is the clear No. 1 receiving option for Kansas City (nine targets or more in five of six games). I can’t dismiss a pair of scores and an active role in catches and yards, but his price point requires more creative roster building with fewer outs shining at the backend of the player pool at other positions. 

Mid-Tier Options

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

Only two tight ends (Travis Kelce – 9/124 and Dalton Schultz – 4/61/1) scored more than 15.00 fantasy points in Week 7. The Falcons’ tight ends continue to produce winning stats over the past two weeks (Kyle Pitts – 7/87 and 4/43/1 ~ Jonnu Smith – 6/67 and 4/36/1), pushing them to the top 12 in tight end scoring for the season. Ten tight ends scored between 10.00 and 15.00 fantasy points. 

Here’s a look at the top five tight ends after six weeks:

• Travis Kelce (88.60)
• Sam LaPorta (79.50)
• T.J. Hockenson (77.40)
• Mark Andrews (71.40)
• Cole Kmet (67.10)

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 7 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 7 DFS: QB Report.

Top Tier Options

Travis Kelce, KC (DK – $8,000/FD – $8,500)

Despite missing one game and playing through some injuries, Kelce regains the top-scoring seat at tight end heading into Week 7. He has a floor of nine targets on four starts while gaining momentum over his last two matchups (10/67/1 and 9/124). The Chiefs only had him on the field for 59% and 69% of their plays over this span (66.4% for the season – 79.8% in 2022). Last year, Kelce had one impact game (6/115/3) against the Chargers on the road (5/51 at home), with the same theme in 2021 (10/191/2 @ LAC – 7/104 in KC). 

Los Angeles ranks 10th in tight end defense (19/187/1 on 29 targets) while facing four opponents with low-ranking options (MIA – 3/44, TEN – 4/35, LV – 1/11, and DAL – 1/15). The Chargers did have issues covering T.J. Hockenson (8/78) and the Vikings’ tight ends (10/82/1 on 13 targets) in Week 3. 

Kelce hasn’t delivered a game that was three times his current salary at DraftKings in 2023 (24.20, 33.50, and 35.50 last season). The latter two outcomes are needed to fill his salary bucket in Week 7. His path isn’t far off from an 8/100/2 game, so keep an open mind about playing him in the DFS market. 

Mid-Tier Options

Mark Andrews, BAL (DK – $5,700/FD – $6,900)

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

The tight end position was an area of strength for fantasy teams in Week 5. Six players scored more than 19.00 fantasy points (George Kittle – 3/67/3, Dallas Goedert – 8/117/1, Travis Kelce – 10/67/1, Logan Thomas – 9/77/1, Sam LaPorta – 3/47/2, and Dalton Schultz – 7/65/1). All outcomes propelled each player to the top 13 in tight end scoring. Here’s a look at the five scoring tight ends after five games in PPR formats:

• Sam LaPorta (71.90)
• Travis Kelce (67.20)
• T.J. Hockenson (66.40)
• Cole Kmet (64.20)
• Mark Andrews (60.50)

Also, here are the top plays this week via the Week 6 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 6 DFS: QB Report.

Top Tier Options

T.J. Hockenson, MIN (DK – $6,600/FD – $6,700)

Over the past two weeks, Hockenson only had seven catches for 75 yards with 11 targets. His last score came in his best game (7/66/2) in Week 2. He continues to gain short yards per catch (8.6) over his 15 games with the Vikings. Last year, Hockenson only had one catch for 16 yards on one target vs. the Bears. 

Chicago ranks 24th in tight end fantasy defense (34/282/2 on 40 targets), with Kansas City (8/78/1) and Washington (12/105/1) having the best success. Surprisingly, the Bears had the best defense against tight ends (56/596/8 on 82 targets) in 2022.

In his career, Hockenson has 29 catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns on 43 targets vs. the Bears. The loss of Justin Jefferson invites more chances and increased defensive attention. He doesn’t project well in Week 6 for his salary. A high-scoring game invites more chances, keeping in the mix at the top end of the tight end pool.

Sam LaPorta, DET (DK – $5,600/FD – $6,800)

LaPorta has been the best tight end in the league over the first five weeks, highlighted by his success in two games (8/84/1 and 3/47/3). He’s caught 80.6% of…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

Last week, Cole Kmet (7/85/2) and Mark Andrews (5/80/2) delivered impact games at tight end, moving them to third (49.00) and fifth (48.00) in tight end fantasy scoring in PPR formats. Thirteen players tight ends scored between 10.00 and 15.50 fantasy points. On the year, there have been only two other outcomes (Week 2 ~ T.J. Hockenson – 7/66/2 and Week 3 ~ Sam LaPorta – 8/84/1) higher than 20.00 fantasy points.

Here are the seven tight ends averaging more than 10.00 fantasy points in 2023:

• T.J. Hockenson (56.30)
• Sam LaPorta (52.20)
• Cole Kmet (49.00)
• Evan Engram (48.20)
• Mark Andrews (48.00 – one missed game)
• Hunter Henry (46.60)
• Travis Kelce (44.50 – one missed game)

Also, here are the top plays this week via the Week 5 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 4 DFS: QB Report and RB Report.

Top Tier Options

Travis Kelce, KC (DK – $7,600/FD – $8,789)

At DraftKings and FanDuel, Kelce continued to have a tier to himself in salary while not producing any games (4/26/1, 7/69/1, and 6/60) to support his cost. The Chiefs had him on the field for a season-high 79% of their snaps in Week 4 (64% and 61% over the previous two games). Kelce continues to gain short yards per catch (9.1 – 12.2 in 2022) while averaging 8.7 targets (8.9 in 2022). When at his best last year, he gained more than 100 yards in five starts with a floor of seven catches in nine of his 20 games played.

Minnesota played well against tight ends in three matchups (TB – 2/19, PHI – 6/22, and CAR – 1/7), but the Chargers (8/34/2) beat them for two scores by their second tight end (Donald Parham – 2/4/2). Overall, tight ends are gaining 4.8 yards per catch on five targets per game. The Vikings finished 11th in tight end defense (65/796/7 – 12.3 yards per catch). 

Patrick Mahomes hasn’t hit his stride, partly due to his best weapon not being in form early in the year due to a knee issue. The Vikings’ defense will be on the field for many plays this week, giving Kelce his first chance in 2023 to deliver more than 100 yards receiving and double-digit catches. With a touchdown added to the equation, he’ll be in range to support his high price point. I sense a big week, but it will take some maneuvering to finish off the rest of the starting lineup, especially if paired with Mahomes…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

Heading into Week 4, there have been 25 touchdowns scored by tight ends. Donald Parham leads the way with three scores despite only having six catches for 32 on seven targets on the season. He’s been on the field for about 50% of the Chargers’ snaps. T.J. Hockenson leads tight ends in targets (28), followed by Sam LaPorta (22). 

In Week 3, only LaPorta (22.40) scored more than 20.00 fantasy points in PPR formats, thanks to a 45-yard touchdown. Nine tight ends finished between 10.90 and 19.90 fantasy points. Only two tight ends scored more than 20.00 fantasy points in a week.

Here are the top five tight ends after three weeks:

• T.J. Hockenson (51.90)
• Sam LaPorta (42.60)
• Hunter Henry (37.50)
• Evan Engram (35.30)
• Travis Kelce (32.50)

These are the only tight ends averaging more than 10.00 fantasy points per week.

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 4 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 4 DFS: QB Report and RB Report.

Top Tier Options

Travis Kelce, KC (DK – $7,400/FD – $7,800)

After three games, Kelce averaged 16.25 FPPG in PPR formats in PPR formats over his two starts. Last year, his season average was 18.88 fantasy points. That puts him about 14% behind his pace in 2022. The Chiefs had Kelce on the field for 61% of their plays last week due to a blowout game, down from 64% in Week 2. On the positive side, his light workload did make him look swifter versus the Bears. Kelce has done more of his work close to the line of scrimmage (8.6 yards per catch – 12.2 in 2022 and 12.7 in his career before this season). Patrick Mahomes looked his way 8.5 times a game in his two starts.

The Jets fell to 30th in tight end defense (16.97 FPPG) after getting beat by New England’s tight ends in Week 3 (5/108/1). Most of the damage came on a broken play touchdown (58 yards) to the Patriots’ third tight end (Pharaoh Brown – 2/71/1). Tight ends have 16 catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 21 targets against New York.

Kelce remains an edge at tight end due to his upside potential. But it does come with a price in the DFS market due to his high salary. He must score 30.00 fantasy points at DraftKings to be viable. That’s an outcome Kelce reached twice in 2022 (33.50 and 35.50). I don’t see the Jets pushing the envelope on the scoreboard, costing Kelce the follow-through needed to be an edge in the daily games in Week 4.

George Kittle, SF (DK – $5,100/FD – $6,300)

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

Two weeks into the 2023 season, only one tight end (T.J. Hockenson – 7/66/2) scored more than 18.00 fantasy points in PPR formats. His success moved him to first overall, followed by Hunter Henry (11/108/2). Here’s the ranking of the other top seven tight ends drafted this year:

• Travis Kelce (4/26/1 – 20th)
• Mark Andrews (5/45/1 – 12th)
• Darren Waller (9/112 – 5th)
• Dallas Goedert (6/22 – 40th)
• George Kittle (3/49 – 26th)
• Kyle Pitts (4/59 – 28th)

Zach Ertz leads all tight ends in targets (18).

Here are the top plays this week via the Week 3 DFS: Tight End Report. Also, check out the Week 3 DFS: QB Report.

Top Tier Options

T.J. Hockenson, MIN (DK – $6,500/FD – $7,500)

The theme for Hockenson in the Vikings’ offense had been the same over the first two weeks in 2023. He had been active in both of his starts (8/35 and 7/66/2) while working close to the line of scrimmage (6.7 yards per catch – 8.6 with Minnesota last year). Over his previous 75 catches, Hockenson gained more than 20 yards on only two plays.

This season, tight ends have seven catches for 79 yards on 12 targets vs. the Chargers. Their success was helped by facing two lower-tiered players (Durham Smythe – 3/44 and Chigoziem Okonkwo – 4/35). In 2022, Los Angeles finished 9th in tight end defense (63/874/5 on 103 targets) but gained 13.9 yards per catch.

The Chargers come into this matchup with massive concerns defending wide receivers (32/565/4) and Justin Jefferson staring them down on the other side of the line of scrimmage. Hockenson is slightly more attractive at FanDuel. Either way, he needs at least 25.00 fantasy points to be in play, requiring at least one score and long pass reception to push him over 100 yards receiving.

Mark Andrews, BAL (DK – $6,000/FD – $7,400)

In his first game back in action, Andrews was on the field for 79% of the Ravens’ snaps. He finished third for the week in tight end scoring (5/45/1) with a team-high eight targets. When at his best last season, he had four impact games (9/104/1, 8/89/2, 8/89/1, and 7/106/1) over the first six weeks. 

The Colts kept tight ends in check over the first two games (5/49 and 6/61). Both players (Evan Engram and Dalton Schultz) finished in the top 12 in tight end scoring in 2022. Indy struggled last year in three games…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.

The tight end position came up empty for too many fantasy teams in Week 1, highlighted by two star players (Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews) taking the week off. In addition, George Kittle (4.90 fantasy points) and Dallas Goedert (no catches) weren’t worthy of starting in any format. T.J. Hockenson (11.50 fantasy points) was the third-highest scoring option in PPR formats.

Six of the top 10 scoring tight ends were either undrafted or resided on fantasy benches.

• Hunter Henry (5/56/1)
• Hayden Hurst (5/41/1)
• Donald Parham (3/21/1)
• Blake Bell (2/12/1)
• Harrison Bryant (2/5/1)
• Adam Trautman (5/34)

Zach Ertz led all tight ends in targets (10) despite being questionable to play in Week 1. Logan Thomas (8), Durham Smythe (7), and Kylen Granson (6) ranked in the top 10 in targets despite being found in the free-agent pool in almost all 12-team league heading into Week 2. Here’s the total tight end production from Washington, Miami, and Indianapolis in 2022:

• Commanders – 60/518/2 on 98 targets
• Dolphins – 47/491/6 on 75 targets
• Colts – 75/803/6 on 108 targets

Indy had the best overall tight end opportunity of the three last year while throwing the ball over 600 times. The change at quarterback points to a minimum of 100 fewer throws. Also,  the Colts rotated in three options in Week 1. Here is the snap breakdown for their tight ends in 2022: Mo Alie-Cox (586), Kylen Granson (408), and Jelani Woods (334).

Last season, only five tight ends averaged more than 10.00 fantasy points per game in PPR formats (7 in 2021 and 6 in 2020).

Here’s a look at some tight ends on the main slate in Week 2 in the DFS market:

Also, check out FullTime Fantasy‘s  Week 2 DFS QB Report and Week 2 DFS RB Report.

Top Tier Options

Mark Andrews, BAL (DK – $6,300/FD – $8,000)

In the early projections, Andrews is the top-rated tight end for Week 2. But he is far from a lock to be a difference-maker after turning in a limited practice on Wednesday. Last year, he scored more than 20.00 fantasy points in four of his 14 matchups (25.70, 28.90, 22.90, and 23.60), but they all came over the first six weeks. Andrews also sat out Week 1 in 2022 but delivered an impact game (9/107/1) the following game vs. the Dolphins at home. He had two starts (8/89/1 and 5/73) against Cincinnati last season.

The Bengals (88/924/3) struggled to defend the tight end four times (7/115,10/96/1, 10/87, and 8/67/1) in 2022. The Browns’ tight ends had five catches for 41 yards and one score on six targets in Week 1.

Andrews comes into this week with risk in his role and potential snaps. At the same time, his higher salary requires 25.00 fantasy points to be worth the investment. If he plays, I don’t expect him to be a popular option, creating an edge ownership if he does pay off. I’m only taking a flier on him on teams with Lamar Jackson.

George Kittle, SF (DK – $5,300/FD – $6,200)

Kittle had a dull showing in Week 1 (3/19 on six targets) while being in the field for 69% of the 49ers plays. When at his best late in 2022, San Fran gave him 90% or more of their tight end snaps in 11 of his 18 games. His best success came over four games (4/93/2, 6/120/2, 4/23/1, and 4/29/2) late last season with Brock Purdy behind center. Kittle had five catches or more in only four matchups (5/47, 8/83, 6/98/1, and 6/120/2) with only one double-digit target game (10). 

The Rams finished 13th in…

WHO ELSE DOES SHAWN THINK ARE MUST-PLAY OPTIONS THIS WEEK?…

USE CODE: BLITZ50 FOR 50% OFF your first TWO MONTHS! —OR— Use save20 for 20% off our 6-month package!

DEADLINE THIS SUNDAY.

GO PRO! Join FullTime Fantasy.