Many people probably expect to see Martellus Bennett listed below, but since I didn’t recommend him, I thought I should discuss him here. First of all, if you want to play Martellus Bennett for DFS, don’t let me stop you. Assuming Rob Gronkowski is out, Bennett is a top-three fantasy tight end at a discount price. By all means, go ahead and play him, but for the most part, I won’t.

Predicting DFS ownership is tricky, and I might change my mind based on our Ownership Forecaster, but I think Bennett’s ownership could approach 50 percent. There are enough options I really like, including one at almost the exact same price, that I am willing to fade Bennett. Bennett will probably be good, and probably get in the end zone, but isn’t there a chance the Patriots score five touchdowns and four of them go to LeGarrette Blount? I just don’t think Bennett is a sure thing, and there are two sure things who cost more who I think I would be willing to pay up for.

Before we get to the options I like, I think I should point out this could be a good week to flex a tight end. I don’t have a ton of options listed, but I love the guys who made the cut, especially when you compare them to similarly-priced running backs and wide receivers.

               Opp PtsOppOpp OvOpp Pa     
PLAYERTmH/AOppGSnapsTgtsTgt%Tgt/GRecRec/GCatch%ReYdsReTDYPCAllowDef RkDef RkYds/GO/U$Line$FD$DK$FA
Rob GronkowskiNEASF73453612.8%5.1253.669.4%540321.69.51725249.251550840071005700
Jordan ReedWASHGB74096318.1%9.0446.369.8%456310.412.01812253.850.5-145690059004700
Delanie WalkerTENAIND94256219.7%6.9424.767.7%571513.612.93031287.953-150640057004900
Jimmy GrahamSEAHPHI94405819.2%6.4424.772.4%593314.15.311222.444-280650056004850
Tyler EifertCINHBUF3121196.2%6.3134.368.4%207115.99.32323242.247.5-140630054004900
Travis KelceKCHTB95195818.1%6.4424.772.4%466311.19.41514267.744.5-330610047004500
Eric EbronDETHJAC63434313.8%7.2325.374.4%381111.98.41317203.747-270540041004200
Kyle RudolphMINHARI95566520.7%7.2374.156.9%392510.63.934195.240.5-110490039004600
Cameron BrateTBAKC94284914.2%5.4353.971.4%375510.76.589244.444.5-330560038004350
Zach MillerCHIANYG94826119.4%6.8444.972.1%42539.79.998267.245-330550038004000
Martellus BennettNEASF94594716.7%5.2384.280.9%504413.39.51725249.251550520037004650
Dennis PittaBALADAL94996617.6%7.3465.169.7%37508.211.12519263.145-330480036004300
Julius ThomasJACADET83994612.2%5.8273.458.7%269410.015.23232259.347-270590035004000
Jesse JamesPITACLE94443910.7%4.3283.171.8%23138.316.43130275.448280480034004300
Jason WittenDALHBAL96226322.5%7.0444.969.8%483211.06.462210.245-330550033004350
C.J. FiedorowiczHOUAOAK93914313.4%4.8293.267.4%305310.511.02428283.246-250510033003900
Jack DoyleINDHTEN94364513.3%5.0364.080.0%379410.511.52627267.753-150500033004100
Zach ErtzPHIASEA73883511.3%5.0294.182.9%302010.47.075241.744-280470032004100
Gary BarnidgeCLEHPIT106095415.3%5.4373.768.5%434011.710.22120278.148280470031004000
Lance KendricksLAHMIA95245417.4%6.0333.761.1%331110.09.847235.640105490030003600
Dwayne AllenINDHTEN7330298.6%4.1192.765.5%207210.911.52627267.753-150530029003800
Vernon DavisWASHGB9329298.3%3.2262.989.7%382214.712.01812253.850.5-145450028004200
Vance McDonaldSFHNE7269279.7%3.9152.155.6%276318.46.52718260.451550470027004100
Richard RodgersGBAWAS9386349.2%3.8192.155.9%17519.210.71421250.250.5-145460027003900
Will TyeNYGHCHI93334011.4%4.4273.067.5%23508.78.41616242.845-330450027003500
Charles ClayBUFACIN95104617.8%5.1293.263.0%28309.813.52022258.747.5-140480026003900
Garrett CelekSFHNE92872910.4%3.2161.855.2%215013.46.52718260.451550450026003000
Dominique JonesMIAALA57293.5%1.861.266.7%5419.07.71210223.940105480025003700
Clive WalfordOAKHHOU8381308.6%3.8212.670.0%19919.57.51113196.846-250450025003700
Jared CookGBAWAS393113.0%3.762.054.5%5308.810.71421250.250.5-145450025003700
Ladarius GreenPITACLE11241.1%4.033.075.0%30010.016.43130275.448280450025003500

Premium Options

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans

Only four teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing tight ends than the Colts, and they are the 30th ranked defense against the pass. Walker caught seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown against the Colts in Week 7, and I don’t see any reason to expect a steep decline in that production.

Jordan Reed, Washington Redskins

Jordan Reed has two more receptions than Delanie Walker despite playing in two fewer games. Reed is actually cheaper than Walker on FantasyAces, and that could be a great value against a Green Bay team that allowed Walker to catch nine passes for 124 yards and a touchdown last week.

Value Options

Zach Miller, Chicago Bears

Last season Jay Cutler leaned heavily on his tight ends when Alshon Jeffrey was out, and with all due respect to Cameron Meredith, I expect Zach Miller to lead the Bears in targets and receptions. The Giants have allowed 28 receptions to tight ends over the last four weeks. Miller is an excellent option if you don’t want to play Martellus Bennett.

Bargain Options

Ladarius Green, Pittsburgh Steelers

Green was solid in his Pittsburgh debut last week, and at the very least, I think we can all agree he shouldn’t cost significantly less than Jesse James. The Browns are 31st in the NFL against the pass, and even if Green is fourth on the Steelers in targets again this week, that should be good enough to outperform his price.