DraftKings NFL 2017: Week 9 Lineup
By Joe Romano
High Priced Tight Ends
Zach Ertz – Philadelphia Eagles ($6,800) – Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz has catapulted himself into the top tier of tight ends during this impressive 2017 campaign. Of all the Eagles pass catchers, it’s Ertz that leads the team in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns. This week the Eagles get one of their toughest tests yet. The Denver Broncos come to town with their vaunted defense. For all the premium talent on the Broncos defense, there have been holes in the middle of the field. Denver ranks second in points allowed to opposing tight ends, trailing only the Jets in that category over the last four weeks. Quarterback Carson Wentz will need to utilize his tight end often with the elite cornerback tandem locking down the outside wide receivers. Ertz is well worth his $6,800 price tag and the top of DraftKings pricing.
Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs ($6,700) – Not far behind Ertz is Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. When healthy Kelce is a matchup nightmare and a premier red zone target for quarterback Alex Smith. As the Chiefs prepare to take on the Dallas Cowboys, Kelce is facing a tough test. Dallas has only allowed ten catches for 145 yards to tight ends in the past four weeks. Kelce will be the toughest test for Dallas’ defense and he’s quite matchup proof this season. I’d prefer to pay the $100 extra for Ertz but Kelce always has touchdown and big play potential. I think this game is a shoot out and it would not surprise me to see Kelce get involved in that action.
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Evan Engram – New York Giants ($5,600) – Part of rankings tight ends in fantasy football is opportunity and consistency. No tight end has seen more opportunity over the past two weeks than New York Giants tight end Evan Engram. The best pass catchers in New York have been injured and Engram has stepped up in their absence. He leads the team in targets and catches in the past three games. This is going to be a rough matchup for Engram. The Los Angeles Rams rank one spot ahead of the Dallas Cowboys in points per game to opposing tight ends over the last four weeks. If you are plugging Engram into your lineup, your thought process has to be that there is no one else for this Giants offense to throw to.
Jimmy Graham – Seattle Seahawks ($5,000) – Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham is coming off a two-touchdown performance in the shoot out of the NFL season. Graham is still good for a score when Seattle needs him and is the team’s best red zone option. With Seattle welcoming the Washington Redskins to Seattle this week, Graham may find the end zone again. Washington is a middle of the pack defense in terms of opposing tight ends over the last four weeks. For the season long rankings, they are the worst defense in points given up to tight ends. With Russell Wilson is playing at an elite level, it’s likely that Graham can sneak into the end zone and continue to put up numbers. If you’re looking for a bit of a discount with a high ceiling, Graham is your guy.
Delanie Walker – Tennessee Titans ($4,900) – the Tennessee Titans are a run-first offense and that will not change any time soon. One beneficiary of run-first offenses are tight ends on play action. The Titans’ tight end Delanie Walker enters the week on the injury report and his status is still up in the air. If he plays, he’s a tough start at home against the Ravens. Baltimore is not elite against opposing tight ends but they are a strong defensive unit. You’re better off paying the extra $100 for Graham or looking into value plays at the position.