Fantasy football lineup advice: Week 14 boom or bust
Tight End
Boom: Jack Doyle, IND @ TB
As it turns out, all Doyle needed to emerge as an every-week TE1 was more playing time. Jacoby Brissett loves to use his tight ends, and with Eric Ebron now on Injured Reserve, all that love is going to Doyle. Last week, he had his best game of the season, compiling 19.3 fantasy points on a whopping 11 targets. T.Y. Hilton also remains sidelined, giving the Colts no other choice but to pepper their big-bodied TE with looks.
Doyle has an excellent opportunity to continue his strong play with a mouthwatering matchup against the Buccaneers up next. It’s no secret that Tampa Bay has been terrible in coverage, giving up the fourth-most FPPG to the tight end spot this season. Ride the hot streak with Doyle as long as you can.
Honorable Mention: Jason Witten (DAL @ CHI), Tyler Higbee (LAR vs. SEA)
Bust: Jared Cook, NO vs. SF
Drew Brees’ return to action has paid dividends for Cook’s fantasy value, as the 6-foot-5 giant has now strung together six straight games of at least 11.3 fantasy points. However, his numbers could be extensively better if not for his one Achilles heel – drops. It’s obvious head coach Sean Payton wants to get him more involved, but his issues securing the ball have made his production volatile.
Like his quarterback, Cook gets an unfavorable matchup this week with the up-and-coming 49ers. San Francisco has surrendered a microscopic 7.8 FPPG to tight ends, something that could slow down Cook’s recent momentum. He’s still seeing decent volume (six or more targets in three of his last four games), but has the looks of a spot you’ll want to avoid.
Dishonorable Mention: Dallas Goedert (PHI vs. NYG), Ian Thomas (CAR @ ATL)
Sleeper: Vance McDonald, PIT @ ARI
Death, taxes and tight ends against the Arizona Cardinals. McDonald hasn’t been as big of a factor this season as he’d like without Ben Roethlisberger, but he gets the best matchup on the board here (Arizona allowing 20.2 FPPG) and he’s seen at least seven targets in three of his last five games. You know the drill here.