Streaming Tight Ends
We’ve got nine weeks in the books, and this is shaping up to be a solid season at the position. Throughout the entire season, tight ends have scored 129 touchdowns, which is 49 more than they scored at this point last year. In fact, that’s the most by the position at this point of the season since 2014. They have over 667 yards more as well. They are seeing 22.8% of the targets, which is the highest ever in the 2000s. With so many early tight ends busting in comparison to their draft ADP, we have been able to add valuable pieces and even stream with high success. Last week, AJ Barner vultured a TD from Ken Walker to secure the day as a streamer, and our biggest hit came from rookie Colston Loveland, who racked up 118 yards and two scores. Brock Bowers came back healthy this week and made up for the prior weeks that he sat out by catching 12 catches, 127 yards, and THREE touchdowns. He also went down on the one-yard line. Could you imagine a fourth score!? Dalton Kincaid continues his hot/cold pattern with a 101-yard day and a score. Mark Andrews managed to pull in two catches and landed in the end zone for both of them. Trey McBride continues to overperform with Jacobi Brissett behind center. Oronde Gadsden II had a modest day but continues to see deep targets and show off his YAC ability, finishing with 68 yards on 5 catches. Despite T.J. Hockenson finding the pay dirt, he continues to be a disappointment this season for fantasy managers. Tyler Warren had his worst outing of his career in a game in which the Colts’ offense struggled. Kittle also finds himself hurting managers this week with a 32-yard performance.
As for players I like in Week 10, Oronde Gadsden II lines up with one of the best matchups of the week in the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Chargers’ offensive line has been decimated, so quick plays to Gadsden are on the horizon. Kyle Pitts has been consistent this year, and I’m all in on him this week to bounce back in Germany against the Colts. Sam LaPorta has given us a season closer to his rookie year. I see it continuing this week. AJ Barner and rookie Elijah Arroyo have been cutting into each other’s work, but as Seattle is running 12 personnel at one of the highest rates, there may be room for both in this pass-heavy offense. Watch the utilization of the newly acquired wide receiver, Rashid Shaheed. Tucker Kraft has a torn ACL, so the next guy up is Luke Musgrave, a player we’ve seen before, and I find him capable of giving us 75% of what Kraft brings. Unfortunately, he draws the Eagles this week, which is one of the hardest matchups. Keep an eye on him going forward. Zach Ertz may also leave my high-end streaming list with the QB swap after another Jayden Daniels injury. Marcus Mariota just doesn’t look his way when starting.
And now, here are a handful of my favorite deeper streaming options for you all to consider this week:
Harold Fannin Jr.
The Rookie’s roll continues
Coming off a bye week, I’m ready to toss Harold Fannin Jr. back into my lineups. This week, they draw the Jets, who are in the bottom third against the position, and that was before they traded away two of their best defenders at the NFL trade deadline. Half the teams the Jets have faced have scored over 14 fantasy points, and some of those have had mediocre talent. Enter Harold Fannin, who had some of the most exciting metrics coming out of college, and his ability to run after the catch has carried into the NFL. Fannin is looking at 51 targets on the team and only 3 behind the team leader, Jerry Jeudy, at 54. He also continues to be on the field for nerly 75% of snaps. Start him comfortably this week, coming off the bye.
Theo Johnson
With Jaxson Dart, all things are possible
Now we begin to dig deeper into our tight end plays. Theo Johnson had one of the highest SPARQ scores, which combines his NFL combine metrics and measurements. The Johnson is an absolute freak when it comes to abilities, and now we have a capable quarterback to get him the ball. Add that with the fact that the Giants have been devastated by injuries, and it leaves plenty of opportunities for Theo. Theo is sitting at 84.6% of team snaps, only behind Wan’Dale Robinson, giving him plenty of chances to catch magic from Jaxson Dart. He also sits at number two in target share at 15%. It’s not the best number for a starting tight end, but that’s why he finds himself as a streamer with upside. The touchdown should be here this week. Let’s ride!
Dalton Schultz
Never thought I’d add him
I really don’t love this one. Not so much because of the usage, but it’s just not a sexy play at all. On the other hand, since Week 3, Dalton Schultz has seen at least 6 targets in every game but one. That’s hard to find in the streaming category. This offensive line is atrocious, leaving quarterback C.J. Stroud with a less-than-impressive depth of target and forcing him to find his tight end security blanket most weeks. He has also been over 60 yards in three of his last four, providing a strong floor. With the Bengals being on bye, we miss out on the juiciest of matchups, but the Texans find the second-best for the position, going against the Jaguars, who are giving up 4.7 fantasy points above expectation. Solid floor and a team that struggles to guard the position —sounds like we found our streamer this week. Start him up and we’ll move on through Week 10.
Let me know what you think about these players! Any questions? Please find me on Twitter/X @TooMuch_Brian.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Mark Alberti / Icon Sportswire