Although there are three games Saturday that will somewhat limit our options in DFS, there are still several wide receivers and tight ends who could lead to profitable afternoons Sunday.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 15 – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Week 14 was not a good one for wide receivers. Among the players who suffered season-ending injuries were Mike Evans, Alshon Jeffery and Calvin Ridley. That opens up opportunities for others to step into prominent roles and provide added production in DFS along the way.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 13 – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
It’s been a rough few weeks recently with regards to viable tight end options in DFS, but things are shaping up to be much more favorable at the position for Week 13.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
The main Sunday slate in DFS for Week 12 is going to be missing a lot of the elite receiving options considering the Chiefs and Chargers are on a bye and the Texans, Packers and Rams all play in prime time.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 5 – TE & DEF/ST
The tight end position is already thin, but Week 5 is especially bad if you are playing the main Sunday afternoon slate in DFS. Travis Kelce and George Kittle both won’t be available, leaving us without two of the top options.
Read MoreNFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 16 – WR, TE, DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
We only have two weeks left with a full slate of games in the NFL. After examining some quarterbacks and running backs to target for Week 16, let’s now highlight some wide receivers, tight ends and defenses/special teams that have favorable matchups. 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.
WIDE RECEIVERS
DeAndre Hopkins vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $8,900
DraftKings = $8,600
Hopkins couldn’t have played any better last week against the Jets. He caught 10 of his 11 targets, marking his third game this season with 10 receptions. Not only did he finish with a season-high 170 yards, but he also scored two touchdowns. With 11 touchdowns for the season to go along with 94 receptions, Hopkins has one of the highest floors among wide receivers in DFS. Week 16 brings another opportunity for him to shine against a banged up Eagles secondary that has allowed the second-most passing yards per game (281) in the league.
Amari Cooper vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
FanDuel = $7,000
DraftKings = $7,500
There has been a lot made about how the addition of Cooper has improved the Cowboys’ offense, but he’s still struggled to be consistent. In his six games with the Raiders, he had four games with 17 receiving yards or fewer, but he had at least 116 yards in both of the other two contests. Across seven games with the Cowboys, he’s posted 58 yards or fewer three times. However, he finished with at least 180 yards and two touchdowns twice. He’s coming off of a dud last week against the Colts, but it should be noted that contest was on the road. Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott has much better numbers playing at home, so don’t be surprised if Cooper excels in this matchup against a Bucs defense that has allowed 30 passing touchdowns.
Robby Anderson vs. Green Bay Packers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,500
Anderson had a breakout campaign last year, but the change to Sam Darnold at quarterback has dealt a significant blow to his numbers. Over his first nine games this season, Anderson finished with 44 receiving yards or fewer eight times. The duo appears to finally be on the same page now, leaving Anderson to record 172 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games. Anderson received a season-high 11 targets with Quincy Enunwa (ankle) out last week and could again be extremely busy with Enunwa’s status very much in doubt for Week 16.
John Ross vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,400
DraftKings = $3,800
The Bengals probably can’t wait for this season to be over. Injuries have completely derailed their offense, the latest of which was suffered by wide receiver Tyler Boyd (knee) last week. He has an MCL sprain and hasn’t practiced yet this week, so it seems highly unlikely that he’s going to play. If he doesn’t suit up, Ross is in line to be their top receiving threat. He’s battling his own ankle issue, but he has been a limited participant in practice so far, which is encouraging. The Browns allow the third-most passing yards per game (275), making Ross a viable cheap option in tournament play.
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Ertz vs. Houston Texans
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $5,900
Nick Foles might be one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league, but Ertz hasn’t topped 48 receiving yards in any of the three games that Foles has started this year. He had only three receptions last week against the Rams, but he did at least receive seven targets. His upside might not be as high as it was when Carson Wentz (back) was at the helm, but the Texans have allowed 889 yards and seven touchdowns to opposing tight ends. His price is still high on FanDuel, but it’s decreased significantly on DraftKings, making him a potential bargain at his position.
David Njoku vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,300
DraftKings = $3,800
Njoku has been on the field for at least 81 percent of the Browns’ offensive snaps in each of the last three games and has 15 targets to show for it. He didn’t do much with those targets, though, recording nine receptions for 73 yards. It’s hard to get too excited about him based on those stats, but the Bengals have allowed 839 yards and eight touchdowns to tight ends. The last time these two teams met, Njoku finished with five receptions, 63 yards, and a touchdown. If you want to take the cheap route at tight end in tournament play, Njoku is a viable option,
C.J. Uzomah vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,300
Uzomah had a favorable matchup last week against a Raiders team that has been mauled by tight ends, but he only caught one of his five targets for 27 yards. If you’re looking for a silver lining, at least Uzomah has received at least five targets in four of his last five contests. With the Bengals running out of healthy wide receivers, they may be forced to throw the ball more his way. The Browns have also struggled against tight ends, allowing 862 yards and six touchdowns to the position. In their last meeting, Uzomah caught six of 12 targets for 39 yards.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Los Angeles Rams vs. Arizona Cardinals
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $4,900
DraftKings = $3,200
Yes, the Rams gave up 30 points last week to the Eagles with Foles at quarterback. However, they are still a great option against the Cardinals. Josh Rosen has been awful of late, totaling 521 passing yards, three interceptions and no touchdowns across his last three games. He’s also been sacked 11 times during that stretch, so expect the Rams defense to wreak havoc Sunday.
Miami Dolphins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – Hard Rock Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $2,700
This season turned into a disaster for the Jaguars. They neglected to address the quarterback position over the summer, leaving Blake Bortles to retain his starting role. He played so poorly that they have actually turned to Cody Kessler as their starter. While it’s hard to imagine, they’ve been even worse with him leading the way, scoring just one offensive touchdown across his three starts. The Dolphins defense is nothing special, but this matchup is almost too good to pass up.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 14
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
If you didn’t make the playoffs in your season-long fantasy football league, the fun isn’t over yet. Every week is a new opportunity to bring home some cash in DFS. We already discussed quarterbacks to target and avoid in DFS for Week 14, so now let’s dive into the rest of the positions to hopefully help you bring home some cash. 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.
RUNNING BACKS
Christian McCaffrey vs. Cleveland Browns
Stadium – FirstEnergy Stadium
FanDuel = $9,100
DraftKings = $9,300
McCaffrey continued his run of dominance against the Bucs in Week 13, turning 10 carries into 106 yards. He also caught nine of 10 targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Not only has he been racking up yards in bunches, but he has 10 touchdowns across his last five games. Maybe the craziest stat of them all for McCaffrey is that he has been on the field for 97 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps. This is shaping up to be another great matchup for him in Week 14 against a Browns defense that has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards per game (136.4) in the league to go along with 15 rushing touchdowns.
Aaron Jones vs. Atlanta Falcons
Stadium – Lambeau Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,200
Jones looked to finally be establishing himself as the lead running back for the Packers, but he was only on the field for 51 percent of their offensive snaps in Week 13. Even with his limited playing time, he still managed to score a touchdown for the fourth straight game. Maybe the biggest boost for his value moving forward was the dismissal of head coach Mike McCarthy after their embarrassing loss last week to the Cardinals. Despite is seeming obvious that Jones is their best running back, McCarthy still continued to force Jamaal Williams onto the field. If Jones gets the bulk of the carries in Week 14, he could explode against a Falcons defense that has allowed the sixth-most rushing yards per game (130.7) and 14 touchdowns on the ground.
Jeff Wilson Jr. vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $3,800
There was a lot of excitement around the 49ers heading into the season, but injuries have decimated them to the point where they are one of the worst teams in the league. Their most recent injury came to running back Matt Breida (ankle), who has already been ruled out for Week 14. Wilson did a nice job after Breida went down against the Seahawks, carrying the ball 15 times for 61 yards and catching eight of nine targets for 73 yards. He’ll likely get all the work he can handle Sunday, making him an extremely appealing option in tournament play based on his cheap price on both sites.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Keenan Allen vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $7,900
DraftKings = $7,400
The Chargers were involved in a high-scoring affair against the Steelers last week, resulting in Allen catching 14 of 19 targets for 148 yards and a touchdown. He’s really started to turn things on down the stretch, hauling in 42 of 57 targets for 490 yards and four touchdowns across his last five games. That recent hot streak has left him just four yards shy of reaching 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight year. Expect him to blow past that number against the Bengals, who have allowed the second-most passing yards per game (280) and 26 passing touchdowns.
Chris Godwin vs. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,900
Godwin had one of the best games of his young career last week against the Panthers, catching five of six targets for 101 yards and a touchdown. It was certainly a favorable matchup against a porous Panthers secondary, but Godwin was also heavily involved because of the absence of DeSean Jackson (thumb). He was actually on the field for a season-high 80 percent of the Bucs offensive snaps. If Jackson is unable to play again in Week 14, Godwin is an excellent target against a Saints team that has allowed the third-most passing yards per game (279).
Courtland Sutton vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,600
DraftKings = $4,500
The Broncos certainly don’t have an electric passing attack, but Sutton was productive in Week 13 with four catches on seven targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. He’s already received an expanded role after the Broncos traded Demaryius Thomas to the Texans and will be even more involved now after Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles) was placed on IR on Wednesday. This could be a dream matchup against the 49ers, who have allowed 27 passing touchdowns and picked off just two passes all season.
TIGHT ENDS
Zach Ertz vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – AT&T Stadium
FanDuel = $7,400
DraftKings = $6,400
The Eagles came away with a big divisional win against the Redskins last week, a game that saw Ertz catch nine of 10 targets for 83 yards. That marked the eighth game this season that Ertz has received at least 10 targets and his sixth with at least nine receptions. The Cowboys have had trouble slowing down tight ends this season, allowing 725 yards and five touchdowns to the position. That included Ertz destroying them in Week 10 for 14 catches, 145 yards, and two touchdowns. It will certainly be difficult for Ertz to duplicate those numbers, but he still has an extremely high floor.
Vance McDonald vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
FanDuel = $5,500
DraftKings = $3,800
McDonald isn’t exactly on a roll right now with 28 receiving yards or fewer in four of his last five games. However, he received at least five targets in four of those five contests and also recorded touchdowns. The presence of Jesse James does eat into some of McDonald’s playing time, but he’s received 56 targets this year compared to just 35 for James. If you want to take a risk on a cheaper tight end in tournament play, the Raiders have allowed 896 receiving yards and nine touchdowns to the position this year.
DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS
Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $3,600
Don’t look now, but the Broncos have won three straight games. Two of those victories were even against tough teams in the Chargers and Steelers. They have been winning on not only the strength of their running game but also their defense, which allowed a total of 49 points across those three games. They’ve also done a great job of creating turnovers during their winning streak with five interceptions and four fumble recovers. With all of the injuries that the 49ers have on offense, the Broncos defense has a favorable chance to keep things rolling again Sunday.
New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins
Stadium – FedEx Field
FanDuel = $3,500
DraftKings = $2,500
The Giants allowed 27 points in their overtime victory against the Bears last week, but they did post five sacks, one fumble recovery and two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. They took advantage of backup quarterback Chase Daniels and will face another backup in Mark Sanchez on Sunday, who has only been on the Redskins roster for a couple of weeks. The loss of safety Landon Collins (shoulder) is a huge blow for the Giants, but with all of the injuries the Redskins have suffered on offense, they should at least be considered in tournament play.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 12 – TE/DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
The tight end position could receive a significant boost in Week 12 with Rob Gronkowski (back/ankle) expected to play for the first time since Week 8. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your 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. New York Giants
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,400
Last week was about as ugly as it could get for the Eagles. Their defense was destroyed by the Saints and their offense looked completely inept, resulting in a 48-7 loss. Even Ertz, who is normally immune to any shortcomings the rest of the offense might have, finished with just two catches for 15 yards. He only had three targets, which is crazy considering he had 16 the previous week and hasn’t had fewer than six in any game this year.
Chalk Week 11 up to basically a worst case scenario for Ertz. He’s already had seven games with at least 10 targets, so he’ll continue to have one of the highest floors of any tight end. When the Eagles faced the Giants in Week 6, Ertz caught seven of nine targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. The Giants defense has traded away a couple of key players since then, setting up Ertz with the potential for an even better performance in their rematch.
George Kittle vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $6,200
It hasn’t mattered who is throwing passes to Kittle so far this season. He’s emerged as one of the best tight ends in fantasy despite playing for an offense that is riddled with injuries and very short on talent. He lit up the Giants for nine receptions and 83 yards in Week 10, setting a season-high with 10 targets. That marked the third time in the last four games that he has received at least eight targets.
Kittle is a strong play against most teams, but this really stands out as a game for him to exploit a terrible Bucs defense. They’ve struggled in just about every facet of the game, including allowing 747 yards and five touchdowns to opposing tight ends. Even though his price has climbed significantly, Kittle is still a great option for cash contests.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,800
DraftKings = $4,000
The Jaguars were locking down the Steelers for the majority of their game last week, but couldn’t hold on at the end. The Steelers stormed back from a 16-0 deficit to beat them, 20-16. Facing the Steelers is no easy task, but the Jaguars defense looked primed for a big game with three interceptions and two sacks before ultimately letting the team down.
It was going to be difficult for the Jaguars to replicate the stellar defensive numbers that they compiled last year, so it’s not all that surprising that they have regressed to an extent. They have allowed at least 20 points in six straight games, including two contests where they allowed at least 30 points. Their sack numbers are down, but they have still held opponents to the third-fewest passing yards per game (210). If there was ever a week for them to get back to their dominant form, this is it against a Bills offense that has been anemic for the majority of the season.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Nick Vannett vs. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Bank of America Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $2,700
The Seahawks are riding the high of taking down the Packers in Week 11. Their run-heavy offense came through for them again with Chris Carson, Rashaad Penny, and Mike Davis combining for 155 yards and a touchdown. Vannett wasn’t very involved, catching just one of two targets for 17 yards. If there was a silver lining from his performance it was that he was on the field for 60 percent of the Seahawks offensive snaps.
There is certainly plenty of risk involved with Vannett. The Seahawks don’t throw the ball much, which has resulted in Vannett receiving three targets or fewer in three of his last four games. However, during that four-game stretch, he also showed his upside with six catches, 52 yards, and a touchdown in Week 9 against the Chargers. This matchup couldn’t be any better against a Panthers defense that allowed a whopping nine touchdowns to tight ends, so don’t overlook Vannett in tournament play.
Cameron Brate vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $4,400
DraftKings = $3,600
Brate has largely been an afterthought in the Bucs offense behind O.J. Howard. He’s only received 17 targets all season compared to 48 for Howard. However, Brate will have the position all to himself now after Howard injured his ankle last week and was placed on injured reserve.
The Bucs are lucky to have such a talented backup in Brate. He’s shown an ability to be a major contributor in the past, hauling in 14 touchdowns across the previous two seasons. Even with his limited workload this year, he’s found his way into the end zone three times. Not only is Brate a hot pickup if you play in season-long fantasy, but he’s a great option in DFS for Week 12 at such a cheap price.
Buffalo Bills vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Stadium – New Era Field
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $2,700
The Bills have come crashing back down to Earth after finally ending their long playoff drought last year. Their offense is significantly devoid of talent and injuries haven’t helped their cause, either. However, they headed into their bye riding the high of a demolishing of the Jets in which the defense had three sacks and two interceptions. The Jets don’t exactly have a lot of weapons on offense and were without Sam Darnold (foot), but the Bills still held them to 10 points.
If there has been a bright spot for the Bills, it’s been their defense. They’ve allowed the fewest passing yards per game (202) and the 10th-fewest rushing yards per game (99.8). The Jaguars finally have star running back Leonard Fournette healthy, but Blake Bortles has been awful. They’ve only scored an average of 14.7 points across their last six contests, so this could be an opportunity to roll with the Bills defense if you’d like to save a little money at the position.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Evan Engram vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,200
Engram didn’t exactly shine last week against the Bucs, finishing with two catches for 66 yards. He only received two targets and was on the field for just 32 percent of the Giants offensive snaps. The problem for Engram is that the Giants have a lot of talent around him. With Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquan Barkley the clear leaders of their offense, Engram doesn’t always get a ton of passes thrown his way. The Eagles have only allowed 370 yards and two touchdowns to tight ends, making Engram an unappealing option in DFS.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – M&T Bank Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,300
The Ravens are certainly not someone to avoid based on their matchup. The Raiders have had trouble scoring points and are running out of healthy players. Despite this looking like a prime spot to use the Ravens, it might not be as great as you think. The Ravens had a crazy 11 sacks against the Titans in Week 6, but they only have three sacks across four games since. They also have just five interceptions, which is the sixth-fewest in the league. You’ll have to pay up to get them into your lineup, so it might not be a wise choice based on their inability to provide sacks and turnovers.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 11 – TE/DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
There are six teams on a bye for Week 11, but there are still a lot of quality options available at tight end in DFS. Let’s dig into the position to see which players to target across the price scale. 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. New Orleans Saints
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Superdome
FanDuel = $7,600
DraftKings = $6,600
The Eagles suffered a disappointing loss to the Cowboys last week, but that didn’t stop Ertz from having a monster performance. He hauled in 14 of 16 targets for 145 yards and two touchdowns. That marked his fourth game this season with at least 100 yards and the fourth time in the last five contests that he has found his way into the end zone at least one time.
With at least 10 targets in all but two of his games this season, Ertz will continue to have a tremendously high floor. The Eagles did add wide receiver Golden Tate at the trade deadline, but Ertz is clearly Carson Wentz’s preferred option in the passing game, so don’t expect his workload to drop off anytime soon. The Saints have been terrible against the pass this year, but they’ve actually done a good job slowing down opposing tight ends. Don’t let that scare you away from Ertz, though. If the Eagles are going to have any chance of keeping up with the Saints offense, it will likely be on the shoulders of Ertz.
Greg Olsen vs. Detroit Lions
Stadium – Ford Field
FanDuel = $6,500
DraftKings = $5,000
Olsen didn’t have his best game in Week 10, catching four passes for just 40 yards. He was only on the field for 79 percent of the Panthers offensive snaps, which was his lowest mark since returning from a foot injury. On a positive note, he did get six more targets and has received at least five targets in four of the five games since his extended stint on the sidelines ended.
His foot injury is something that Olsen is going to continue to have deal with for the remainder of the season. The Panthers have taken a cautious approach with him in practice leading up to games, which has helped him stay on the field, so far. He’s been logging a ton of snaps, overall, and had scored a touchdown in three straight games entering last week, which gives him a nice floor to work off of in cash contests. The Lions haven’t played poorly in pass coverage, overall, but they have allowed 477 yards and four touchdowns to tight ends.
Los Angeles Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Stadium – StubHub Center
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400
The Chargers had a creampuff matchup against the Raiders last week and certainly didn’t disappoint by holding them to six points. They only forced one turnover, but they did record four sacks. That marked the fourth time in the last five games that the Chargers recorded at least three sacks, bringing their total to 26 for the season. That mark places them inside the top-10 in the league in that category.
You can only play who is on your schedule, which has certainly been kind to the Chargers. They recently faced the Raiders (twice), Seahawks, Titans, and Browns, keeping their opponents under 20 points in each of those contests. This is another great matchup against a Broncos team that has only scored more than 27 points in a game one time all season. They’ve also allowed quarterback Case Keenum to be sacked 24 times already.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Austin Hooper vs. Dallas Cowboys
Stadium – Mercedes-Benz Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,500
It was an ugly loss for the Falcons last week against the Browns, but Hooper finished with one of his best games of the season. He was targeted 11 times in the game, catching 10 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. The yardage total certainly left a lot to be desired, but the volume was the key. Hooper has received at least 10 targets in three of his last five games and is already up to 55 for the season. He finished with 65 targets total in 2017.
Hooper has been a bit hit or miss, which is why he should be on your radar in tournament contests as opposed to cash games. The good news is that he’s been on the field for 82 percent of the Falcons offensive snaps, which is tops among all of their skill position players. The Cowboys have allowed 53 receptions, 511 yards, and four touchdowns to tight ends, potentially setting up Hooper for another one of his more valuable performances.
Evan Engram vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $5,800
DraftKings = $4,100
The Giants may stink offensively, but it’s certainly not due to a lack of weapons. That excess of talent, combined with the poor play of their offensive line and Eli Manning, has left Engram with a lot of games in which he hasn’t done all that much. Even in one of their better offensive games of the year in Week 10 against the 49ers, Engram received just five targets. He caught four of them for 46 yards, which was sadly his second-highest yardage total in a game so far.
If there was ever a game for Engram to have a breakout performance, this is it. The Bucs have been destroyed by opposing tight ends, allowing 51 receptions, 669 yards, and five touchdowns to the position. The Giants made even more changes to their offensive line in Week 10, which proved to at least give Manning a little more time in the pocket. If they can hold up again this week, Engram could be able to expose this soft spot in the Bucs’ coverage.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Oakland Raiders
Stadium – State Farm Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $3,100
All things considered, the Cardinals held up pretty well against the Chiefs last week. They still lost, but they limited the explosive Chiefs offense to 26 points, which was the first time the Chiefs scored fewer than 30 points since Week 4. They weren’t able to create any turnovers, but the Cardinals did record five sacks. Although they haven’t forced a turnover in either of their last two contests, the Cardinals do have at least four sacks in four of their last five games.
As tough as their matchup was last week, things swing back in their favor dramatically against the inept Raiders who have scored 10 points or fewer in four of their last five contests. The Cardinals have one of the better pass defenses in the league and the Raiders don’t have many weapons left on offense after Marshawn Lynch was placed on IR and Amari Cooper was traded to the Cowboys. At an even cheaper price than the Chargers, the Cardinals also provide significant upside.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Eric Ebron vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,300
What a strange performance from Ebron last week against the Jaguars. He was only on the field for 38 percent of the Colts offensive snaps, leaving him with just three targets. However, he cashed two of them in for touchdown receptions and even had another touchdown on a rare rushing attempt. Even though Ebron has been a touchdown machine this year, Jack Doyle is back now and eating into his opportunities. In both games since returning from injury, Doyle has been on the field for at least 73 percent of their snaps. The Titans haven’t allowed a single touchdown to tight ends this year, so if Ebron can’t find his way into the end zone again, he is left with very little production potential.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $4,000
DraftKings = $2,500
I’m not sure I understand why the Colts are priced this high on FanDuel. They’ve allowed at least 26 points in five of their last six games and haven’t recorded a sack in three of their last five contests. They did hold the Bills to three points in Week 7 but come on, it was the Bills. The Titans have looked much better offensively of late with at least 28 points in back-to-back games, so this isn’t exactly a favorable matchup. Even at their more reasonable price on DraftKings, it still might be best to avoid the Colts.
NFL Daily Fantasy Football Recommendations for Week 7 – TE/DEF/ST
*Mike Barner — @rotomikebarner*
Reader-only discount! Use code EBIRD15 at checkout to save 15%.
The tight end position has been pretty shallow in recent weeks, but it feels a little deeper for the Week 7 slate. Let’s dive into the schedule and examine some players, and defenses/special teams, to target or avoid as you create your 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. Carolina Panthers
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $7,500
DraftKings = $7,100
For the first time this season, Ertz failed to receive at least 10 targets Week 6 against the Giants. He was still heavily involved, though, with seven receptions on nine targets. His 43 receiving yards were also a season-low, but he still managed to salvage his performance with a touchdown reception. This game was a prime example of why you want to pay up for Ertz in cash games. Even if the yardage total isn’t always there, he’s a weekly threat to find his way into the end zone.
Week 7 brings a favorable matchup for Ertz against a Panthers defense that has allowed 28 receptions, 297 receiving yards and three touchdowns to opposing tight ends. The Eagles have been more productive with Carson Wentz at quarterback, averaging 24.5 points in the four games he has started compared to 19.5 points in their first two games without him. Expect Ertz to see plenty of targets again in this contest.
Eric Ebron vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $6,800
DraftKings = $5,400
Ebron had a cloudy prognosis heading into the start of the season with another quality tight end in Jack Doyle on the roster. However, Doyle’s early injury woes have opened up a huge role for Ebron. T.Y. Hilton went down recently as well, making Ebron one of the prime targets in the Colts passing game. He cashed in with another valuable performance in Week 6, catching four of seven targets for 71 yards and a touchdown.
With his score last week, Ebron has now reached the end zone in five of six games. He’s also received at least seven targets in four straight contests. It appears that Hilton has a good chance of returning to the field for Week 7, but Doyle will sit out once again. The Colts have attempted the most passes in the league (289), so there will still be more than enough targets available for Ebron even if Hilton does take the field.
Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Jets
Stadium – MetLife Stadium
FanDuel = $4,600
DraftKings = $3,400
The Vikings defense has had their struggles, but they had one of their best performances Week 6 when they held the Cardinals to 17 points, six of which came when the Cardinals defense returned a fumble for a touchdown. They logged four more sacks in that game and have now recorded at least three sacks in five of their six contests. The game also resulted in their first interception since Week 1.
Don’t be surprised if the Vikings pick off a pass or two Sunday facing Sam Darnold, who has thrown at least one interception in all but one game so far. Darnold hasn’t exactly been explosive yet, either, throwing for fewer than 200 yards four times. Things won’t get any easier for him this week with his favorite wide receiver Quincy Enunwa out with an ankle injury. Even though they will be on the road, the Vikings could be in for a stifling performance.
GPP TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Trey Burton vs. New England Patriots
Stadium – Soldier Field
FanDuel = $6,000
DraftKings = $4,300
Burton isn’t exactly a great source for yards. He hasn’t topped more than 88 yards in a game this season and has three outings where he finished with 23 yards or fewer. One of those was last week against the Dolphins, but he did manage to find the end zone in that game. The Bears have only played five games, but Burton has already posted three touchdowns.
The Bears invested heavily in Burton during the offseason, but they have attempted the fewest passes in the league, which puts somewhat of a limit on his upside. The good news is that if the Bears defense can’t slow down the high-powered Patriots offense, Mitch Trubisky might be forced to throw the ball more. Burton may see a couple extra targets in this game, as a result, making him an intriguing option in tournament play.
David Njoku vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stadium – Raymond James Stadium
FanDuel = $5,700
DraftKings = $4,200
Njoku received a season-high 12 targets in the Browns blowout loss to the Chargers in Week 6, finishing with seven catches for 55 yards and his first touchdown of the season. He’s been a big part of the Browns offense, receiving at least seven targets in all but one game. Josh Gordon may not have been playing well, but his departure was a positive one when for Njoku’s value for the rest of the year.
Baker Mayfield hasn’t played great since taking over at quarterback, but this could be the week he has a breakout performance. The Bucs have allowed the most passing yards per game (356) and are tied for the most passing touchdowns allowed (16) in the league. I actually believe Njoku has a higher upside this week than Burton, making him an even better play when you consider he’s slightly cheaper than Burton on both sites.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Buffalo Bills
Stadium – Lucas Oil Stadium
FanDuel = $4,100
DraftKings = $3,300
If you’re looking at past performances by the Colts to try and gain some confidence in playing their defense this week, let me save you some time. They’ve been bad. Teams have scored at least 31 points against them in each of their last three games, one of which came against a Jets offense that isn’t exactly loaded with talent.
The reason why you should consider the Colts defense for Week 7 is because of how putrid the Bills are on offense. Things are only going to get worse for them Sunday with Josh Allen out due to an elbow injury. His backup Nathan Peterman has been so bad that the Bills are actually going to start Derek Anderson at quarterback, who just signed with the team less than two weeks ago. Even with how poorly they have played, this is a great spot for the Colts to thrive on defense.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Greg Olsen vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Stadium – Lincoln Financial Field
FanDuel = $5,900
DraftKings = $4,400
Olsen had been out since Week 1 with a foot injury, but he made his return last Sunday against the Redskins. The Panthers certainly weren’t cautious with him, putting him on the field for 98% of their offensive snaps. Olsen wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t great, either, with four catches on seven targets for 48 yards. Olsen has decided to put off foot surgery at this time, but who knows if he’s going to hold up for the rest of the season. This is a tough matchup against the Eagles, who have only allowed 19 receptions to opposing tight ends.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers
Stadium – Levi’s Stadium
FanDuel = $5,000
DraftKings = $3,500
Injuries have put a damper on the Rams defense, causing them to allow at least 23 points in each of their last four games. They only picked off one pass during that four-game stretch, as well. The 49ers have dealt with more than their fair share of injuries on offense, but C.J. Beathard has been much improved from last year. In each of his three starts, he has at least 248 passing yards and two touchdowns. He has been turnover prone, but the 49ers might be able to put up some points in this contest. That limits the upside for the Rams defense, so it might not be worth paying the premium required to get them into your entry.