DraftKings NFL Picks, Week 9: Best bargains in DFS play
By Drew DeLuca
Tight Ends
Travis Kelce (KC vs MIN, $6,900) is never a bad play, but he’s always an expensive one. We don’t recommend crossing him off your list of possibilities, but we do insist you consider the following lower-priced options.
Hunter Henry (LAC vs. GB, $6,000) draws a Packers defense that ranks 21st in fantasy points allowed to the tight end position. However, his target volume has dropped in two consecutive weeks, so Evan Engram (NYG at DAL, $5,100) is a better value against the Dallas Cowboys, who are even worse (30th) against tight ends.
Chris Herndon (NYJ at MIA, $4,000) is questionable as he nears a return from a hamstring injury, but he also has a favorable matchup. Ryan Griffin (NYJ at MIA, $3,400), who hasn’t been a stranger in the end zone of late, makes for a decent fallback in the event of a late scratch.
Jonnu Smith (TEN at CAR, $3,800) stepped up in Delanie Walker‘s absence last week and is primed to do so again in an offense that looks to the tight end often. Good luck finding a better value for the price in Week 9 at the tight end position.
Speaking of tight end utilization, expect Eric Ebron (IND at PIT, $3,600 at PIT) and Jack Doyle (IND at PIT, $3,000) to see more targets with Hilton out. The Pittsburgh Steelers rank 26th in points allowed to the tight end position, so both offer great value this weekend.
Reach into bargain bin to find Dallas Goedert (PHI vs. CHI, $3,100), who is becoming a bigger part of the Philadelphia Eagles offense with each passing week. The Bears are surprisingly 25th in fantasy points allowed to tight ends this season.
Another notable cheap option is Cameron Brate (TB at SEA, $3,100). With O.J. Howard out again, Brate should see his share of red zone looks this week, as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin command extra attention. By the way, the Seattle Seahawks are also among the league’s worst at defending the tight end position.