DraftKings NFL Week 14 Lineup
By Joe Romano
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs Baltimore Ravens – $6700
No surprise here to see Travis Kelce atop the tight end rankings. Kelce is coming off a monster game against Oakland. Kansas City will need him to step up again with a tough test coming up. Baltimore is one of the NFL’s best defenses but are a bit susceptible against tight ends, ranking ninth in points per game. Kelce is the league’s best and should continue to show why this weekend.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys – $6400
Neck and neck with Kelce is Zach Ertz. Both are target monsters that their quarterback trust. Unfortunately for Ertz his offense has struggled a bit and it bumps him down a tad. This week Ertz will look to put on a similar performance he did against the Cowboys a few weeks ago. In that game he had 145 yards and two touchdowns. Dallas’ defense is playing better but Ertz opportunity alone keeps him as a solid option.
Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans – $5700
Another player thriving with increase opportunity has been Eric Ebron. The former-Lion is thriving in the Colts unique offense. He is coming off his worst game of the season but the entire Colts offense can say the same thing. Another tough test awaits with the Houston Texans. Houston features a pair of safeties that could give Ebron trouble in Tyrann Mathieu and Justin Reid. Houston ranks as a top-ten friendliest defense for tight ends but it is playing better as of late.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers vs Denver Broncos – $5500
Clearly DraftKings values opportunity over anything else for tight ends. George Kittle is the opportunity king this season. There are not many weapons in San Francisco and the quarterback play is even worse. None of that has kept Kittle from being a top-five fantasy tight end. This weekend he plays a Broncos defense that has given up the eighth most yards to tight ends. Kittle is another solid option for tight ends at about league average price.
Jared Cook, Oakland Raiders vs Pittsburgh Steelers – $5100
Last but not least in the opportunity position is Jared Cook. Another player thriving due to lack of other weapons and despite poor quarterback play. Cook is a top-ten fantasy tight end and will continue to be so based on opportunity alone. This weekend Oakland will need him against Pittsburgh’s explosive offense. The Steelers rank league average in every category for tight ends, but Cook’s low floor will keep him viable.
Value Tight Ends
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers – $3900
One bad week from David Njoku and he is back to the value part of this article. Njoku is an up and down player but most fantasy tight ends are. This weekend should be an up week for the second year player. Cleveland stays at home for a matchup with the Panthers. Carolina ranks third in points per game to tight ends. Njoku is getting red zone targets which is a big measuring stick for the position.
Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers @ Oakland Raiders – $3800
Another player that may be needed more than expected is Vance McDonald. With the loss of James Conner, the Steelers will be looking to McDonald as the third option in the passing attack. The talented tight end has shown flashes of his ability this season. Luckily, they play a Raiders defense that is the NFL’s worst against tight ends. McDonald will see even more opportunity than before.