Week 10 TE Report
Codes:
Favorable Matchup
Neutral
Matchup Risk/Against the Grain
Tough Matchup with Limited Upside
Evan Engram (DK – $6,200/FD – $7,400): Engram has a TD in three straight games earning three straight games of success (5/82/1, 6/60/1, and 4/70/1). He's been the Giants’ top target in the last two games (12 and 10). Evan is on pace for 64 catches for 824 yards and eight TDs on 127 targets. The 49ers started to fade vs. TEs over the last four games (7/102, 5/61/1, 7/69/1, and 3/39/1) while ranking 5th in the league. His salary continues to rise, but he's really a WR option in the New York's offense. One of the few TEs will a chance at 50+ yard TD. Ride him while he’s hot.
Jack Doyle (DK – $5,200/FD – $6,100): Doyle continues to be the safe outlet for Jacoby Brissett over the last four games. He has 33 catches for 278 yards and two TDs on 41 targets with plus catch rate (80.5). He's on pace for 100 catches for 882 yards and four TDs and 128 targets. Pittsburgh sits 7th in the league vs. TEs (35/356/1 on 55 targets) with no TE gaining over 60 yards receiving. On a crazy run, but he gains only 8.8 yards per catch while requiring a TD to post a separator score.
Jordan Reed (DK – $5,100/FD – $5,700): I have Reed listed as out headed into Friday after missing last week's game. He did turn in a couple of limited practices mid-week, which gives him an outside shot of playing this week. Jordan only has one game of value (8/64/2) this season. The Vikings are 11th in the NFL defending TDs (38/260/3 on 60 targets) with Coby Fleener having the best game (5/54/1). Plenty of risk, but priced low enough to be an option if he's named the starter.
Delanie Walker (DK – $5,000/FD – $5,500): Despite being limited over the last couple of weeks during practice with an ankle issue, Walker has been able to play on Sunday. Over the last two games, Delanie has 12 combined catches for 134 yards on 15 targets. He's on pace for 74 catches for 790 yards and two TDs on 54 targets, but he doesn't have a receiving TD all year. The Bengals held TEs to few than ten Fantasy points in five of their eight games with only the Colts having success (12/121/1). Overall, TEs have 37 catches for 409 yards and two TDs on 51 targets against Cinci. His injury is a concern and this isn't a great matchup.
Austin Seferian Jenkins (DK – $4,800/FD – $6,000): After scoring a TD in three straight games, Seferian-Jenkins posted two short games (5/28 and 2/20). He only has 12 targets over his last three games. His opportunity offered more upside in Week 5 and Week 6 (19 combined targets). TEs have 28 catches for 321 yards and 3 TDs on 38 targets against Tampa with the Giants having the most success (8/73/1). This game is against his former team so New York may try to get him a TD. In the mix at this level.
Vernon Davis (DK – $4,700/FD – $5,300): Davis had a season high nine targets in Week 9 vs. the Seahawks leading to six catches for 72 yards. Vernon has 65 yards receiving in four of his last five games with two of those games coming as a starter. Vernon may start this week giving him a chance at a TD and solid targets. The Redskins had over 100 yards receiving to the TE in three straight games earlier in the year (5/110, 7/102, and 13/163/2) so I wouldn't overlook him.
Kyle Rudolph (DK – $4,600/FD – $5,400): Rudolph has 22 catches for 142 yards and two TDs on 32 targets over his last four games, which is back in line with his 2016 season (83/840/7). Kyle has fewer than 50 yards receiving in each game while delivering only one catch over 20 yards (11 in 2016). The Redskins allowed over 15 Fantasy points to TEs in five games. Washington ranks 29th vs. TEs (47/637/4 on 62 targets). Four players have strong games against the Redskins (Zack Ertz – 8/93, Gerald Everett – 3/95, Travis Kelce – 7/111/1, and Zach Ertz – 5/89/1). Tempting, but he needs more length on his catches.
Jason Witten (DK – $4,400/FD – $5,700): Witten has four poor games (1/3, 1/9, 3/31, and 1/5) over his last six starts. His best success came over the first two games of the season (7/59/1 and 10/97/1). The Falcons have the second best TE defense in the NFL (35/400/1 on 59 targets) with one TE having success (Charles Clay – 5/112). Not my kind of dance.
Charles Clay (DK – $4,200/FD – $5,400): Clay should be a full go in Week 10 after missing the last three games. Over his first four games, Charles had 18 catches for 227 yards and two TDs on 25 targets. The Saints held the TE to fewer than 13 Fantasy points in seven of eight games with their only failure coming in Week 2 against the Patriots (6/116/1). Overall, TEs have 26 catches for 288 yards and four TDs on 46 targets. Need to see a full game before riding him.
Cameron Brate (DK – $4,100/FD – $5,700): Brate hasn't scored a TD in his last three games after scoring a TD in his previous four games. He had his worst game of the year in Week 9 (1/9). He's on pace for 64 catches for 828 yards and eight TDs on 96 targets. The Jets have allowed over ten Fantasy points to seven of their eight opponents while ranking 26th in TE defense (44/513/6 on 71 targets). Their last five opponents have six catches in each game while gaining over 65 yards receiving and five TDs. Very winnable matchup with expected expanded opportunity in Week 10 due to Mike Evans taking a one-week vacation.
Hunter Henry (DK – $3,900/FD – $5,400): The Chargers are well behind their 2016 pace in TE production (91/1055/15 on 148 targets). This season their TE have 39 catches for 466 yards and three TDs on 57 targets with Henry leading the way (23/312/2 on 32 targets). Hunter has three poor games (0/0, 0/0, and 2/11) with only two combined targets. In his other five games, he averaged only six targets per game. The Jaguars are 19th defending TEs (36/387/3 on 54 targets) with no TE scoring more than 11 Fantasy points. Jacksonville has a strong pass rush so Henry will be needed to block on many plays. Avoid.
Tyler Kroft (DK – $3,600/FD – $5,400): After a nice game against the Browns (6/68/2), Tyler has 15 catches for 186 yards and a TD on 17 targets. In his six starts, he averaged only 4.7 targets. The Titans are 18th against the TE position (41/442/1 on 66 targets). Two teams have ten catches in a game against Tennessee (SEA – 10/125 and BAL – 10/70) with the Colts scoring the only TD (7/50/1). Scoring a TD with be tough, which puts him in the failure column.
C.J. Fiedorowicz (DK – $3,400/FD – $4,600): Fiedorowicz will return to the starting lineup this week after missing seven games with a concussion. He should have a clean ride with Ryan Griffin expected to miss this week with a concussion. The change to Tom Savage at QB will limit his upside going forward. The Rams are 13th in TE defense (29/326/3 on 49 targets). Maybe in a week or two, but he needs a game under his belt with a TD being a slim possibility.
Austin Hooper (DK – $3,000/FD – $4,900): Hooper is on pace for 50 catches for 662 yards and four TDs on 70 targets. His only two games of value came in Week 1 (2/128/1) and Week 8 (4/47/1). Austin has six targets or more in four of his last five games. Dallas allowed fewer than 12 Fantasy points in his first seven games while struggling in Week 9 (KC – 8/76/1). TEs have 37 catches for 417 yards and two TDs on 55 targets against the Cowboys. Priced low enough not to be dismissed.
David Njoku (DK – $2,600/FD – $4,500): Njoku doesn't have a game in 2017 with more than three catches while splitting snaps with Seth DeValve. He scored a TD in three of his first five games while averaging four targets per game on the year. David doesn't have a game with more than 60 yards receiving. The Lions played well in six games vs. the TE (11 Fantasy points or fewer) while getting beat in Week 2 (7/108/1) and Week 5 (5/175). TEs have 26 catches for 459 yards and two TDs on 39 targets against the Lions. Low volume player with talent and scoring ability.
Lance Kendrick (DK – $2,500/FD – $4,800): With Martellus Bennett released by Packers this week, Kendrick should have a bump in snaps and targets over the second half of the year. Over the first half of the year, Lance was on the field for 138 plays compared to 91 by Richard Rodgers. The Bears have been very good vs. the TE (4th – 38/384/2 on 55 targets). Only a gamble with the Packers’ starting QB struggling to make scoring plays.
Adam Shaheen (DK – $2,500/FD – $4,500): In his second season at Ashland University, Adam caught 70 passes for 803 yards and 10 TDs. His resume is short while playing against a lower level of talent. Shaheen will win many jump balls while showing plus hands. He doesn’t need a big window of success, but his route running still needs some work. His size (6’6” and 278 lbs.) and blocking ability gives him three-down ability. Adam is an upside TE who is expected to have more value over the second half of the 2017 after the injury to Zach Miller. He should emerge quickly as a scoring threat even in part time duty. Need to see the playing time splits before rostering him in the daily games.
