Tight end is one of the most difficult positions to nail down each week. It’s a position where you can spend all the way up, pay all the way down, or look somewhere in between. Tight ends derive a bunch of their value from scoring touchdowns, which can be difficult to predict on a week-to-week basis.
In this piece, I highlight tight ends who stand out in our large suite of analytical fantasy tools, most specifically, our FantasyLabs Player Models. While the models are built for DFS contests, this is an all-purpose fantasy article with actionable information for all formats.
As news breaks throughout the week and we adjust our projections (powered by the award-winning expert ranker, Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change as the projections change. For updates, visit the models directly.
And don’t forget about the tools that FantasyLabs has to offer, like our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Or you can just use our NFL DFS sims to effortlessly create advanced lineups.
Finally, make sure to check out all the projections available for purchase within the FantasyLabs Models. Subscribers now have the option to purchase Derek Carty’s THE BLITZ from our Marketplace.
You can also combine them to create your own aggregate projections:
Top NFL DFS Cash Game Picks
Trey McBride ($6,800 DraftKings, $7,600 FanDuel)
McBride was the clear-cut No. 1 TE last season, racking up more than 252 points in 0.5-PPR scoring. No other tight end was above 166.8, so the gap between McBride and the rest of the field was massive.
McBride has a bit more competition for the top spot than he did last season, but there’s no reason he can’t finish as TE1 for the second straight year. He really took off with Jacoby Brissett under center, and he will helm the Cardinals’ offense to begin 2026-27. In Brisset’s 12 starts, McBride averaged 10.6 targets, 8.1 receptions, and 80.3 receiving yards per game. However, the biggest difference was the touchdowns. He struggled to find the paint with Kyler Murray under center, but he had 10 scores in just 12 games with Brissett.
The underlying usage supports his TD outburst. He had a 43% endzone share in his 12 games with Brissett. He had just a 13% mark in his first five games, and he was at 24% two years ago.
The Cardinals were also an extremely pass-heavy team with Brissett under center. That happens when you’re consistently losing – the Cardinals won just one of his 12 starts – but the team was still first in Dropback Over Expectation in that sample.
The Cardinals figure to be poor once again this season, and they’re the largest underdogs on the slate in Week 1. Another heavy dose of passing could be in the cards, making McBride a strong pay-up option. He owns the top median and ceiling projections at the position, and he’s No. 3 on FanDuel in projected Plus/Minus.
Michael Mayer ($2,900 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel)
While paying up for McBride is always appealing, it’s hard to ignore the value with Mayer. He was not expected to be a huge factor this week, but Brock Bowers had surgery seemingly out of nowhere. He’s going to miss at least the first week of the season, opening the door for Mayer to take over as the team’s No. 1 TE.
Not only that, Mayer might be the team’s No. 1 pass-catcher. The Raiders have arguably the weakest group of receivers in the entire league. Mayer had some solid performances in place of Bowers last season, including a 10-target, nine-catch outing vs. the Giants.
Mayer should also benefit from Kirk Cousins taking over at quarterback. The Raiders had putrid QB play last season, and while Cousins might not be a huge upgrade, he at least knows how to get the ball to the tight end. He helped Kyle Pitts put together a late-season breakout last year, so Mayer could be his favorite Week 1 target.
Mayer ranks first at the position in projected DraftKings Plus/Minus by a pretty comfortable margin. That comes with the top ownership projection at tight end, but he’s tough to avoid in cash games. He helps unlock a bunch of salary, which you can use to roster the top studs at running back and receiver.
Top NFL DFS Tournament Picks
Tyler Warren ($4,900 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel)
Warren is someone who could challenge McBride and Bowers for the top spot in fantasy this season. He had a solid rookie season, ranking fifth in terms of 0.5 PPR scoring. He was even better when playing with Daniel Jones, who will be back under center for the Colts in Week 1. Warren averaged 10.7 0.5 PPR points per game through the first 13 weeks of the season, compared to just 4.5 over the final five.
Warren also has the opportunity for a bit more volume in his second season. The team got rid of Michael Pittman this offseason, who had 111 targets last year. Alec Pierce could also be a bit limited in Week 1 after missing most of training camp, despite not carrying an injury designation.
Warren ultimately ranks first at the position in projected FanDuel Plus/Minus, and he’s No. 5 on DraftKings. He also owns the top Sim Labs optimal lineup rate for both sites.
Juwan Johnson ($3,700 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel)
Johnson may not have the same high-end ceiling as some of the top tight ends in fantasy, but the door is open for a strong start to the year. Johnson was quietly TE10 last season, and he should be the Saints’ clear-cut No. 2 pass-catcher in Week 1. Chris Olave will occupy the top spot, but No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson will start the year on the PUP list. That solidifies Johnson’s spot in the pecking order.
The Saints also draw a solid matchup in Week 1. They’re seven-point underdogs vs. the Lions, but Detroit’s secondary is a bit banged up at the moment. Both of their starting safeties have been ruled out, while they were forced to release Terrion Arnold. This game also has a 49.5-point total, which is the second highest on the slate.
Johnson ultimately stands out as an excellent value on DraftKings, where his $3,700 price tag comes with an 82% Bargain Rating. He ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Contrarian NFL DFS Tournament Picks With Upside
Tucker Kraft ($5,400 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)
Don’t forget just how good Kraft was before getting hurt last season. He racked up 32 catches, 489 yards, and six touchdowns through his first eight games, and only McBride scored more fantasy points at the position during that stretch.
There’s a chance that Kraft is a bit limited to start the year, but the Packers need him more than ever. The team lost both Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, while Josh Jacobs is suspended for the start of the year.
Kraft has the second-highest optimal lineup rate at tight end on DraftKings, and he’s projected for less than 7% ownership. That’s a nice combination for tournaments.
Harold Fannin ($4,200 DraftKings, $5,700 FanDuel)
I don’t blame you if you want nothing to do with the Browns. DeShaun Watson will make the start at quarterback, which seems like a disaster waiting to happen. His contract with the Browns will go down as one of the worst in NFL history.
However, Fannin is an absolute stud. He was a monster in college, and he turned in a strong rookie season. He did that despite poor QB play and having to split snaps with David Njoku. Fannin made up for it with his efficiency, earning a target on 24% of his routes run (tied for first at the position).
Fannin should see significantly more volume from a snaps and route standpoint with Njoku now in Los Angeles. It remains to be seen if any of his quarterbacks can get him the ball, but he still possesses solid upside.
Mark Andrews ($3,900 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel)
Andrews has flown under the radar all offseason, but he’s one of “my guys” heading into this year. Maybe he’s not the same player that he was in his prime, but he’s still just 30 years old. The Ravens believed in him enough to give him an extension in December, so I think he’s still got some gas left in the tank.
As long as that’s the case, Andrews could be poised for a big year. He no longer has to compete with Isaiah Likely for snaps, giving him more opportunities for catches and yards. Andrews was already an elite touchdown scorer, so that’s a big boost to his fantasy profile.
The Ravens’ offense should also be able to bounce back after a disappointing campaign last year. Lamar Jackson was clearly hampered by an injury down the stretch, and as long as he’s healthy, they should go right back to being an elite unit. This is a prime opportunity to buy low on a tight end that has historically been one of the best in fantasy.
Pictured: Michael Mayer
Photo Credit: Imagn
