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In NFL DFS, finding a tight end at good value can be tricky, especially when certain tight ends are on a bye week or hurt. This week, the Eagles are on a bye so no Dallas Goedert and then earlier this week, we found out that 49ers tight end George Kittle will likely be done for the rest of the year. Therefore, who should try to grab in DFS this weekend? Here are some top tight end plays over and under $4,000 on DraftKings in Week 9.
Tight ends over $4,000
T.J. Hockensen, Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings ($5,100)
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Lions will be without their number one wide receiver in Kenny Golladay, who is week-to-week with a hip injury. Losing Golladay hurts Detroit’s offense tremendously as he is the top offensive playmaker.
With that being said, someone or multiple will have to step up to replace Golladay’s production. One option is second-year tight end T.J. Hockensen, who is quietly having a solid sophomore campaign.
This season, the former Iowa standout has 29 receptions for 321 yards and four touchdowns. He is also averaging 12.4 fantasy points per game, which would make a weekly top-15 play.
On Sunday, the Lions are facing a Vikings’ defense that is young in the secondary and do not have Anthony Barr at linebacker. Through eight weeks, Minnesota is giving up 296.9 passing yards per game and ranks 25th against opposing tight ends (OPRK).
Hockensen will be looking to score his third touchdown in four weeks and capitalize off of his seven receptions for 65 yards performance from last week.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons ($4,600)
Sticking with theme of former Iowa tight ends, Noah Fant of the Broncos could be a solid DFS play this week. Fant scored 11.7 DraftKings points (seven receptions for 47 yards) last week against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the first time since Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers that Fant scored double-digit fantasy points.
The versatile tight end has been dealing with an ankle injury this season, but the hope is he keeps on improving and getting healthier. This week, the Denver Broncos will be facing a Falcons’ defense that has been horrific bad this season. Atlanta is allowing 322.3 passing yards per game and ranks 26th against opposing tight ends (OPRK).
Tight ends at or under $4,000
Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders ($4,000)
Could this be the week that Hunter Henry has a breakout game? It’s a possibility as the Raiders’ defense will be looking to take wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams out of the picture.
If they try to do that then that could open up things for Henry, who is on pace to have a career-year. This season, the veteran tight end has 29 receptions for 324 yards and touchdown. That lone touchdown was scored in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, where he also had 12.3 DraftKings points.
On Sunday, he will be trying to break his touchdown drought against a Raiders defense that isn’t bad against opposing but giving up 266 passing yards per game.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team vs. New York Giants ($3,700)
The former Virginia Tech quarterback is a low-risk, high-reward play in DFS this week. Over the last two weeks, Thomas has scored at least 10 DraftKings points and two touchdowns.
One of those touchdowns just so happened to come against the New York Giants in Week 6. In that particular contest, Thomas had three receptions for 42 yards, which was good for 13.2 DraftKings points.
The veteran tight end could be in store possibly for another solid day at the office, especially if the Giants’ defense will have their attention on wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Antonio Gibson.