DraftKings NFL picks, Week 17: Best DFS fantasy football values
By Drew DeLuca
Week 17 DraftKings NFL Values: Tight Ends
Premium Tier ($5,000 and up): With Chad Henne at the helm instead of Patrick Mahomes this week, we’ll pass on Travis Kelce (KC at LAC, $8,600), even if the NFL’s clear-cut top tight end gets the starting nod, as we have zero confidence that he’d get his usual run. If we’re paying up for anyone this week, it’s George Kittle (SF vs. SEA, $6,000); in his second game back from injury, the Iowa product is priced over $1,000 less than the admittedly more dependable Darren Waller (LV at DEN, $7,100).
We’re also plugging Mark Andrews (BAL at CIN, $5,800) into several lineups on the heels of his 11 target day against the Giants. Andrews has reeled in at least five receptions in each of his last five games and looks to take advantage of a Bengals defense that ranks in the bottom third in receptions allowed to tight ends over the last four weeks.
Last Sunday’s game was the first since Week 10 in which Robert Tonyan (GB at CHI, $5,000) didn’t post at least 10 fantasy points on DraftKings. Tonyan has scored ten touchdowns this season and has quietly and improbably been one of the league’s more consistent performers at the position, so we fault no one for looking his way in Week 17; after all, Aaron Rodgers likely will.
Mid-Tier Values ($4,000 to $4,900): Jared Cook (LV at CAR, $4,700) is about as exciting as leftover meatloaf and peas with no butter or salt, but there are worse options. However, we’d rather pay less for Rob Gronkowski (TB vs. ATL, $4,500) or Mike Gesicki (MIA at BUF, $4,200), both of whom we love at their prices this week.
Value Tier ($3,000 to $3,900): Outside of Irv Smith, Jr. (MIN at DET, $3,900), who has a unique talent for scoring when we don’t start him and busting when we do, there’s no one exciting here. You’ve been warned, but we love Smith against the Lions, the league’s second-worst defense against opposing tight ends over the last four weeks.
Bargain Bin: If Hunter Henry is a scratch due to COVID, we’ll stan once more for the massive Donald Parham (LAC at KC, $2,900), a 6’8″ behemoth with two touchdowns to his credit in limited playing time this season. Cameron Brate (TB vs. ATL, $2,900) draws a Falcons defense that has allowed 27 receptions to tight ends over the last four weeks, second only to the New York Jets.
Speaking of the Jets, Chris Herndon (NYJ at NE, $2,800), as we predicted last week, took advantage of an increasing role and favorable matchup. He could very well continue trending upwards against a Panthers defense ranked 21st against fantasy tight ends over the last four weeks.
Best Buy: We’re doubling down on our process and taking Irv Smith, Jr., who caught two touchdowns last month against the Lions, and two more last week against the Saints. His talent is undeniable, and the Vikings have every incentive to make him a bigger piece of the game plan this week with Dalvin Cook out of the lineup.