*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
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It seems like every week another tight end is lost to a significant injury. Week 4 was no different as Tyler Eifert went down for the season with an ankle injury. This might be the thinnest the tight end position has been in a long time, but there are still options out there for Week 5 that could provide significant returns. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your DFS entry. Don’t forget to sign up for our Newsletter and try our Playerlab tool, where you can filter the stats that matter the most and help build a winning entry on FanDuel and DraftKings.
CASH CONTEST OPTIONS
Zach Ertz vs. Minnesota Vikings
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,500
There isn’t much risk involved when you roll with Ertz in DFS. He’s received at least 10 targets in each game this year, including a season-high 14 in Week 14 even with the return of Alshon Jeffery. Although Ertz has yet to find the end zone, he has finished with at least 73 receiving yards in three of four contests.
It’s not all that surprising that Ertz still received a ton of targets in Jeffery’s first game of the season. The Eagles rely on Ertz heavily in the passing game, resulting in him getting at least 106 targets in three straight seasons. Opposing tight ends only have one touchdown against the Vikings this season, but they have allowed 246 receiving yards to the position. Two of their four games have come against the Bills and Rams, too, neither of which have a lot of talent at tight end. Expect another reliable performance from Ertz.
Jared Cook vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,800
Cook didn’t exactly have a banner campaign in his first year with the Raiders, catching 54 of 86 targets for 688 yards. He finished the year with just two touchdowns, giving him three total scores across the last three seasons. The change at head coach has done wonders for Cook through four games this year, resulting in him posting 26 receptions on 35 targets for 370 yards and two touchdowns. After finishing with at least 100 yards in a game two times in 2017, he’s already reached that threshold twice through Week 4.
It’s certainly encouraging for Cook’s value moving forward that he has received at least 10 targets twice this season, especially since he had no more than nine in any game last year. His 74.3% catch rate is also a big improvement over his 62.8% mark in 2017. The Chargers have had no problems scoring points, so the Raiders might be forced to throw a lot to keep up, which only further adds to Cook’s upside.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Seattle Seahawks
Stadium – CenturyLink Field
FanDuel = $4,700
DraftKings = $3,800
The Rams defense started out strong by allowing 13 points across the first two weeks. Their fortunes have changed since, allowing 54 points over their last two contests. One of the main reasons for their struggles of late is their injuries at cornerback. Aqib Talib is on IR with an ankle injury and Marcus Peters is battling a calf strain.
The good news for the Rams is that even with all of their issues the last two weeks, they recorded six sacks and three fumble recoveries. They still put a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, which could spell doom for Russell Wilson since he has already been sacked 16 times. The Seahawks did get Doug Baldwin back last week, but their offense still isn’t all that explosive. The Rams might not have the ceiling they would if they were healthy at cornerback, but they are one of the top defenses for Week 5.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
David Njoku vs. Baltimore Ravens
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,400
Njoku was active in Baker Mayfield’s first career start, catching five passes for 52 yards. He finished the game with seven targets, marking the third time this season that he has received seven targets. However, he finished with a catch rate of 57.1% or lower in the first two weeks compared to 71.4% in Week 4.
The move from Tyrod Taylor to Mayfield provides a boost to the majority of the skill players on the Browns offense. Mayfield will go through some growing pains, but Taylor had never averaged more than 216.8 passing yards per game during any season of his career. This is no easy task against a tough Ravens defense, but the volume of passes that Njoku gets thrown his way at least makes him someone to consider.
Vance McDonald vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,700
After sitting out the first game of the season, McDonald has received exactly five targets in each of the Steelers three games since. He followed up his monster 112-yard performance from Week 3 with 62 yards and a season-high five receptions in Week 4. An encouraging trend is that McDonald has seen his snap percentage increase each game, topping out at 62% last week.
This game should be a shootout based on how poorly both defenses have played. The Steelers have great weapons at wide receiver but expect McDonald to still be heavily involved. With all the injuries the Falcons have been dealt at linebacker and safety, teams can exploit the middle of the field against them. At this cheap price, McDonald has an opportunity to provide significant returns in tournament play.
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,200
Although the Broncos lost last week, their defense didn’t play all that poorly against the potent Chiefs. They only allowed 10 points in the first half and the 27 total points that the Chiefs scored in the game marked their lowest output of the season. In fact, the Chiefs had scored at least 38 points in each of their first three contests.
The downside with the Broncos defense is that they haven’t created a turnover since forcing three in Week 1. Expect them to get back into that column Sunday against Sam Darnold, who has thrown at least one pick in three of four games. The Jets passing attack hasn’t been great, either, with Darnold throwing for fewer than 200 yards three of four weeks. If you don’t want to pay up for the Rams, the Broncos are a viable option.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Jesse James vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Heinz Field
FanDuel = $5,200
DraftKings = $3,100
James started the first two games for the Steelers, catching eight of 10 targets for 198 yards and a touchdown. However, now that McDonald is completely healthy, James has received just two targets combined across the last two games. His snap percentage has also decreased each week, bottoming out at 44% in Week 4. McDonald is the Steelers tight end you want to roll with this week, not James. McDonald is even cheaper than James on FanDuel.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Stadium – Arrowhead Stadium
FanDuel = $4,500
DraftKings = $2,800
The Jaguars defense has done a good job keeping teams out of the end zone, but they have only forced three turnovers this season, two of which came in Week 1. Outside of their Week 2 matchup against the Patriots, they haven’t exactly faced offensive juggernauts in the Giants, Titans, and Jets. This will be an extremely tough test against the Chiefs, so starting their defense seems like an unnecessary risk to take, especially based on how expensive they are on FanDuel.
