Streaming Tight Ends
Could it be? Are we back? Two tight ends broke the 20-point threshold in Week 3; hope could slowly be restored. Dallas Goedert was the weekend’s headliner; he had a career highs in catches and yards, 10 for 170 yards. Now he looks at a Week 4 matchup without AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. Cole Kmet also burst onto the scene this week with 10 receptions, 97 yards, and a score. Dalton Kincaid was the only household name in the top 12 this week. The rest of the top guys were a Strange assortment (literally) that included two Titans TEs, both not named Chig Okonkwo.
As we approach the final week before the byes begin, we look to maximize the last week of a total pool of players. Jake Ferguson looked decent in his first game back from injury; this offense is hurting, and players like him need to step up.
Most of these guys are already rostered, so here are some of my favorite, more profound plays this week that are more widely available. The Commanders brought the heat against the Bengals on Monday night, but Trey McBride should be able to have a bounce-back game, having seen at least six targets in every game this season. Pitts finds himself with just over 100 yards on the season and only one TD, but the battle for the NFC South with the Saints can put many points on the board. Dallas Goedert should be able to take advantage of a depleted wide receiver room. Hunter Henry comes off a disappointing game and gets a rough matchup with San Fransico. Mark Andrews leaves the most significant question mark at the position. He had only six routes run in the game and didn’t catch his only target.
Cole Kmet
Chasing points
What a difference three weeks can make for this guy. Cole Kmet started the season running a route on only 33% of Caleb Williams’s dropbacks. We saw the OC, Shane Waldron, bring Gerald Everett to the offense, and he is no blocker, leaving those duties to Kmet. Through two weeks, this offense was not clicking, so a change was much needed, and having Cole be more involved was a must, especially with not having Keenan Allen out there. As a result, we have seen Kmet’s route run percentage go up each week, with 61.7% in week 2 and 71.4% in week 3. With Keenan Allen projected to be out again, the Bears have a great schedule in the future, and Kmet may be the guy to give some top finishes.
Prediction: 8 targets, 5 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD
Tucker Kraft
Love Krafting Touchdowns
Jordan Love has not been officially cleared for Week 4, but this play expects him to be out there. Over this past week, with Malik Willis behind center, we saw Tucker Kraft walk away with a 15.4% target share. This week, the Packers have a good division matchup with Minnesota. The Vikings have been among the top in the league against the run, which should force Love to move the ball through the air. The Vikings can be beaten at the linebacker position, leaving them more susceptible to the middle of the field. Kraft has to compete with several talented young players, but through last season, we’ve seen Kraft carve a good chunk of plays in this offense.
Predictions: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD
Tyler Conklin
Conklin Flying in Fast
Finally, we’ve made it to the deep play. This matchup has much to dissect despite Coklin finishing in the top half of the tight-end ones. Denver has shown a near-elite defense and put down a statement game on Sunday in Tampa Bay. Patrick Surtain has been shadowing the opposing team’s top wide receiver, which should take out Garrett Wilson for most of the game. Conklin was second in targets last week, including the huge target share for the running back. Aaron Rodgers finally showed some of the throws we have missed in the previous two years; the belief that his comfort levels are increasing on this team is fantastic. Tyler Conklin is only owned in 12% of Yahoo leagues, so this would be more of a long-shot play, but the game script points to Coklin producing this week.
Prediction: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 77 yards
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 Nick Wosika / Icon Sportswire