DraftKings NFL Best Lineup for Week 8
By Joe Romano
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos – $6800
No surprise here. With the Patriots and Eagles off the main slate, Travis Kelce claims the top tight end spot. That marks a rare DraftKings feat with a player from the same passing attack topped the quarterback, receiver and tight end position. Kelce must love having Mahomes under center. The talented tight end is second in receiving yards in his position despite only three touchdowns. Those touchdowns will come, maybe against a Denver defense that has given up the tenth most yards to opposing tight ends.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals – $5500
It is a shame that we have not been able to see the San Francisco offense at full strength. Tight end George Kittle is building off his strong rookie campaign in his second year. His number may have actually been better with Jimmy Garoppolo and Matt Brieda alongside him. For now C.J. Beathard is finding his former college teammate enough to make him a great fantasy option. Kittle is third in receiving yards for tight ends. This week he gets a Cardinals defense that has been one of the better units against the position. That should not stop anyone who wants to roster Kittle, his volume alone makes him a solid start every week.
Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders vs Indianapolis Colts – $5000
Kittle is getting points and yards because there are very few other options at the moment and his quarterback likes to take easy short completions. Across the Bay there is another tight end that is in an almost exact same scenario. Jared Cook is having a solid season this year and it may get better. With the Raiders trade of Amari Cooper it opens targets for the veteran tight end. Cook gets to play a Colts defense that ranks just outside the top ten in points per game to the position. Without Cooper look for a big target day for Cook.
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts @ Oakland Raiders – $4900
Across the field from Cook will be the fantasy darling Eric Ebron. Despite getting a touchdown vultured now in two weeks by Erik Swoope, Ebron still led the team in targets. With T.Y. Hilton making his way back, Ebron’s targets may dip. The good news it that opportunities may increase with Hilton occupying some safety help over the top. Ebron is always a threat to score with a rejuvenated Andrew Luck at the helm. Oakland ranks as one of the better defenses against the position though so be warned that this could be another slow week if Ebron fails to find the end zone.
Trey Burton, Chicago Bears vs New York Jets – $4800
If you read this article last week you saw the writing on the wall with Trey Burton. The talented free agent acquisition lit up the Patriots for 126 yards on nine catches and a touchdown. Burton was pegged to play the “Travis Kelce role” in Matt Nagy’s offense. This last game may be a glimpse of what that can be. Mitchell Trubisky still does not trust his arm as much as his legs. That is good news for Burton who can get open across the middle making easy throws for his quarterback. This week’s matchup may be toughed with the Jets and Jamal Adams across the field. New York ranks 21st in points per game to the position this season. Like most tight ends, this could be a case of an up-and-down season for Burton with Sunday looking more like down than up.
Value Tight Ends
O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Cincinnati Bengals $3900
Chris Godwin and the Buccaneers passing attack have already been talked about at length. The final piece to that puzzle is O.J. Howard. The talented second year tight end is seeing his role grow, even with Cameron Brate aboard stealing looks. Howard is a solid option this week for a very low price. Cincinnati ranks fifth in points allowed to opposing tight ends this year. Howard has had more success with Jameis Winston back in the lineup. With such a tough position, grabbing Howard is a wise gamble.