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 Sean Koerner), player ratings in our Player Models will change. For updates, visit the models directly.
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Top NFL DFS Tight End Picks in the FantasyLabs Models
On DraftKings, there are three tight ends near the top of the individual Sean Koerner, Chris Raybon, Cash Game, and Tournament Player Models.
- Travis Kelce
- Foster Moreau
- Cade Otton
We’ll discuss why these are popping in our models, as well as take a look at some other tight ends.
Top Model NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Travis Kelce ($8,000 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel): Kansas City Chiefs (-2) at San Francisco 49ers (49 total)
Kelce followed up his impressive four-touchdown performance with 108 yards on eight catches last week against Buffalo. It was Kelce’s third game in a row topping 20 DraftKings points and his fourth on the year. The Chiefs continue to move Kelce all over the field to get him in advantageous matchups.
Kelce’s usage ranks among the elites, with a 24% target share, while averaging 2.08 yards per route run. He has one of the highest ceilings at the tight end position that few can match. Dating back to last season, he has 22+ DraftKings points in eight of his last twelve games, with a 44.1 and 33.5-point performance mixed in as well.
The matchup is as difficult as it gets, as the 49ers are surrendering only 4.1 yards per target, which is the best in the league. However, Kelce just matched up with one of the best defenses in the league in Buffalo, where he put up 22.2 DraftKings points. The matchup may keep his ownership in check, but his upside is still as high as anyone.
Kelce leads our Tournament Model this week.
Foster Moreau ($2,800 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel): Las Vegas Raiders (-7) vs. Houston Texans (45.5 total)
With Darren Waller ruled out, Foster Moreau has been thrust into the fantasy radar. In Moreau’s seven games last season playing on 85% or more of snaps, he had a mixed bag of results. He had stat lines of 6/60/1, 7/65/0, and 4/67/0, which were all good performances. However, we saw a low floor for Moreau as well.
In the other four games, Moreau combined for merely 59 yards and no touchdowns on six catches. Everyone is capable of dud performances, and with most of Houston’s attention on Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, and Hunter Renfrow, it could leave Moreau with some opportunities.
The matchup is advantageous, as Houston ranks 20th in yards per target allowed to tight ends at 7.5, and 20th in touchdown rate allowed at 5.4%. Moreau may not have the ceiling of some tight ends, but he is dirt cheap and will be running a route on most of Derek Carr’s dropbacks.
Moreau leads Chris Raybon’s Pro Model, as well as our Cash Game Model.
Cade Otton ($2,700 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel): Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13) at Carolina Panthers (39 total)
Cameron Brate has been ruled out of Sunday’s matchup due to a neck injury, which puts Cade Otton firmly in play. In Week 5, when Brate missed, and Otton was featured, he ran a route on 92.5% of Tom Brady’s dropbacks, catching six of seven targets for 43 yards. The tight end role has consistently been a valuable one in Brady-led offenses. Prior to his injury, Brate had seen six or more targets in two of five games played.
Otton is stepping into a valuable role, and he gets an appetizing matchup against Carolina. They’re surrendering a 79.3% catch rate, 6.9 yards per target, and a 6.8% touchdown rate to opposing tight ends. The Bucs’ have a healthy team total, and Otton will run a route on pretty much every dropback with Tom Brady as his quarterback. He’s solid salary relief with multi-touchdown upside.
Otton leads the position in Projected Plus/Minus while ranking toward the top in Points/Salary
Other Notable NFL DFS Tight End Picks
Mark Andrews ($7,400 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel): Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (45.5 total)
Mark Andrews is currently questionable for Sunday’s game with a knee injury, but we’re expecting him to play. He continued his impressive season last week, catching seven of 11 targets for 106 yards and a touchdown. He’s now scored 22+ DraftKings in four of five games, averaging 20.1 points per game on the year. He’s seen 10 or more targets in four games and is now up to five touchdowns on the season.
Andrews has ravaged the Browns, racking up seven touchdowns in their past six games, with 78 or more yards in three of six games. He saw 21 targets in two games against them last year, catching 11 balls for 115 yards and a touchdown in their December matchup. Andrews has one of the highest ceilings at the tight end position and should be on your radar every week.
Greg Dulcich ($2,500 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel): Denver Broncos (-1) vs. New York Jets (38 total)
If Moreau or Otton weren’t enough, may I interest you in a third tight end for less than $3,000? Enter Greg Dulcich! In his first-ever NFL game, Dulcich appeared on 71% of snaps and ran a route on 81% of team dropbacks. He saw three targets, catching two balls, with one of them going for a 39-yard touchdown. If this Denver offense starts moving in the right direction, Dulcich will surely be a valuable fantasy tight end.
The Jets have been solid against opposing tight ends, as they’re yet to give up a touchdown on the year. They did surrender ten catches to Robert Tonyan last week, so the upside is certainly there. Dulcich is one of the top options in Points/Salary this week.
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