As recently as two weeks ago I recommended using a tight end at your flex position. That seems like a distant memory. It used to be you could at least count on the premium options for cash games, but it is nearly impossible to find any tight ends you can feel great about for Week 14. The best DFS strategy is probably to pick a value option with some upside and hope he finds the end zone, since the value options are only slightly riskier than the premium options this week.
Opp Pts | Opp Pa | Opp Ov | Opp Pa | ||||||||||||||||||||
Player | Tm | H/A | Opp | G | Snaps | Tar | Tar% | Tar/G | Rec | Rec/G | Catch% | ReYds | ReTD | YPC | Allow | Def Rk | Def Rk | Yds/G | O/U | $Line | $FD | $DK | $FA |
Tyler Eifert | CIN | A | CLE | 6 | 249 | 38 | 8.9% | 6.3 | 23 | 3.8 | 60.5% | 337 | 3 | 14.7 | 12.6 | 31 | 32 | 259.4 | 42.5 | 190 | $6700 | $6000 | $4900 |
Jordan Reed | WAS | A | PHI | 9 | 502 | 81 | 17.4% | 9.0 | 59 | 6.6 | 72.8% | 630 | 5 | 10.7 | 5.5 | 4 | 4 | 266.7 | 46.5 | 110 | $7500 | $5900 | $5100 |
Jimmy Graham | SEA | A | GB | 12 | 553 | 70 | 19.1% | 5.8 | 51 | 4.3 | 72.9% | 706 | 4 | 13.8 | 11.0 | 22 | 18 | 277.4 | 46 | 140 | $6600 | $5500 | $4950 |
Greg Olsen | CAR | H | SD | 12 | 757 | 90 | 23.4% | 7.5 | 58 | 4.8 | 64.4% | 790 | 3 | 13.6 | 8.3 | 8 | 9 | 295.6 | 49 | -125 | $6400 | $5000 | $4600 |
Zach Ertz | PHI | H | WAS | 10 | 513 | 67 | 14.9% | 6.7 | 47 | 4.7 | 70.1% | 452 | 2 | 9.6 | 10.7 | 20 | 23 | 278.5 | 46.5 | 110 | $5700 | $4900 | $4350 |
Delanie Walker | TEN | H | DEN | 11 | 525 | 72 | 19.3% | 6.5 | 49 | 4.5 | 68.1% | 657 | 6 | 13.4 | 8.3 | 1 | 1 | 210.2 | 43.5 | -120 | $6200 | $4400 | $4700 |
Martellus Bennett | NE | H | BAL | 12 | 591 | 58 | 14.0% | 4.8 | 44 | 3.7 | 75.9% | 544 | 4 | 12.4 | 7.2 | 5 | 2 | 242.5 | 45.5 | -300 | $5600 | $4200 | $4600 |
Cameron Brate | TB | H | NO | 12 | 528 | 66 | 14.9% | 5.5 | 47 | 3.9 | 71.2% | 528 | 6 | 11.2 | 9.5 | 26 | 25 | 302 | 51.5 | -145 | $5600 | $4100 | $4600 |
Kyle Rudolph | MIN | A | JAC | 12 | 662 | 90 | 21.2% | 7.5 | 54 | 4.5 | 60.0% | 513 | 5 | 9.5 | 7.2 | 10 | 10 | 213.5 | 39 | 145 | $5500 | $4000 | $4400 |
C.J. Fiedorowicz | HOU | A | IND | 12 | 492 | 68 | 15.8% | 5.7 | 45 | 3.8 | 66.2% | 473 | 3 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 29 | 30 | 298.2 | 46.5 | -275 | $5100 | $3900 | $4100 |
Ladarius Green | PIT | A | BUF | 4 | 34 | 20 | 4.4% | 5.0 | 11 | 2.8 | 55.0% | 207 | 1 | 18.8 | 6.8 | 21 | 21 | 251.4 | 46.5 | 130 | $5800 | $3900 | $4300 |
Antonio Gates | SD | A | CAR | 10 | 350 | 61 | 14.6% | 6.1 | 34 | 3.4 | 55.7% | 327 | 5 | 9.6 | 12.9 | 18 | 14 | 301.9 | 49 | -125 | $5200 | $3800 | $3900 |
Eric Ebron | DET | H | CHI | 9 | 438 | 55 | 13.0% | 6.1 | 39 | 4.3 | 70.9% | 489 | 1 | 12.5 | 8.2 | 15 | 16 | 240.4 | 43.5 | -330 | $6000 | $3800 | $4200 |
Coby Fleener | NO | A | TB | 12 | 442 | 65 | 13.2% | 5.4 | 42 | 3.5 | 64.6% | 547 | 3 | 13.0 | 8.5 | 9 | 12 | 272.6 | 51.5 | -145 | $5300 | $3700 | $4200 |
Dennis Pitta | BAL | A | NE | 12 | 583 | 87 | 17.7% | 7.3 | 61 | 5.1 | 70.1% | 529 | 2 | 8.7 | 7.1 | 25 | 19 | 265.1 | 45.5 | -300 | $4900 | $3600 | $4350 |
Vernon Davis | WAS | A | PHI | 12 | 412 | 43 | 9.3% | 3.6 | 36 | 3.0 | 83.7% | 497 | 2 | 13.8 | 5.5 | 4 | 4 | 266.7 | 46.5 | 110 | $4800 | $3500 | $4300 |
Gary Barnidge | CLE | H | CIN | 12 | 727 | 63 | 14.5% | 5.3 | 40 | 3.3 | 63.5% | 468 | 1 | 11.7 | 11.2 | 17 | 20 | 273.8 | 42.5 | 190 | $4500 | $3300 | $3800 |
Jason Witten | DAL | A | NYG | 12 | 746 | 73 | 20.5% | 6.1 | 52 | 4.3 | 71.2% | 553 | 2 | 10.6 | 9.9 | 7 | 7 | 289.5 | 47.5 | 170 | $5100 | $3100 | $4200 |
Vance McDonald | SF | H | NYJ | 10 | 373 | 45 | 12.2% | 4.5 | 24 | 2.4 | 53.3% | 391 | 4 | 16.3 | 10.9 | 32 | 27 | 288.5 | 44 | -145 | $4700 | $3000 | $4300 |
Hunter Henry | SD | A | CAR | 11 | 390 | 39 | 9.3% | 3.5 | 27 | 2.5 | 69.2% | 385 | 5 | 14.3 | 12.9 | 18 | 14 | 301.9 | 49 | -125 | $5500 | $2900 | $4000 |
Lance Kendricks | LA | H | ATL | 12 | 613 | 73 | 18.2% | 6.1 | 43 | 3.6 | 58.9% | 433 | 2 | 10.1 | 11.4 | 23 | 28 | 306.4 | 45 | 230 | $4800 | $2800 | $3800 |
Julius Thomas | JAC | H | MIN | 9 | 453 | 51 | 10.6% | 5.7 | 30 | 3.3 | 58.8% | 281 | 4 | 9.4 | 7.6 | 2 | 6 | 218.1 | 39 | 145 | $5100 | $2800 | $3800 |
Will Tye | NYG | H | DAL | 12 | 434 | 51 | 11.3% | 4.3 | 33 | 2.8 | 64.7% | 281 | 1 | 8.5 | 10.4 | 27 | 26 | 301.4 | 47.5 | 170 | $4500 | $2800 | $3500 |
Jared Cook | GB | H | SEA | 6 | 168 | 28 | 5.8% | 4.7 | 16 | 2.7 | 57.1% | 184 | 1 | 11.5 | 6.8 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46 | 140 | $4800 | $2700 | $4000 |
Jack Doyle | IND | H | HOU | 12 | 514 | 53 | 12.3% | 4.4 | 43 | 3.6 | 81.1% | 441 | 4 | 10.3 | 6.8 | 14 | 13 | 227.4 | 46.5 | -275 | $4500 | $2700 | $3800 |
Charles Clay | BUF | H | PIT | 11 | 616 | 57 | 16.8% | 5.2 | 36 | 3.3 | 63.2% | 323 | 0 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 11 | 8 | 279.6 | 46.5 | 130 | $4500 | $2600 | $3700 |
Dwayne Allen | IND | H | HOU | 10 | 419 | 41 | 9.5% | 4.1 | 28 | 2.8 | 68.3% | 328 | 5 | 11.7 | 6.8 | 14 | 13 | 227.4 | 46.5 | -275 | $4800 | $2600 | $4000 |
Richard Rodgers | GB | H | SEA | 12 | 433 | 41 | 8.5% | 3.4 | 25 | 2.1 | 61.0% | 219 | 1 | 8.8 | 6.8 | 6 | 5 | 252 | 46 | 140 | $4500 | $2600 | $3700 |
Ryan Griffin | HOU | A | IND | 12 | 331 | 58 | 13.5% | 4.8 | 38 | 3.2 | 65.5% | 324 | 2 | 8.5 | 10.0 | 29 | 30 | 298.2 | 46.5 | -275 | $4500 | $2500 | $3000 |
Jesse James | PIT | A | BUF | 12 | 553 | 48 | 10.5% | 4.0 | 32 | 2.7 | 66.7% | 268 | 3 | 8.4 | 6.8 | 21 | 21 | 251.4 | 46.5 | 130 | $4500 | $2500 | $3500 |
C.J. Uzomah | CIN | A | CLE | 8 | 276 | 29 | 6.8% | 3.6 | 17 | 2.1 | 58.6% | 193 | 0 | 11.4 | 12.6 | 31 | 32 | 259.4 | 42.5 | 190 | $4500 | $2500 | $3350 |
Jermaine Gresham | ARI | A | MIA | 12 | 509 | 43 | 8.7% | 3.6 | 27 | 2.3 | 62.8% | 264 | 2 | 9.8 | 11.4 | 13 | 17 | 264.8 | 43.5 | 110 | $4500 | $2500 | $3750 |
Trey Burton | PHI | H | WAS | 11 | 150 | 37 | 8.2% | 3.4 | 22 | 2.0 | 59.5% | 218 | 1 | 9.9 | 10.7 | 20 | 23 | 278.5 | 46.5 | 110 | $4500 | $2500 | $3300 |
Virgil Green | DEN | A | TEN | 9 | 284 | 29 | 7.3% | 3.2 | 18 | 2.0 | 62.1% | 211 | 0 | 11.7 | 9.5 | 24 | 24 | 270.3 | 43.5 | -120 | $4500 | $2500 | $3500 |
Garrett Celek | SF | H | NYJ | 12 | 354 | 35 | 9.5% | 2.9 | 21 | 1.8 | 60.0% | 275 | 1 | 13.1 | 10.9 | 32 | 27 | 288.5 | 44 | -145 | $4500 | $2500 | $3000 |
Dion Sims | MIA | H | ARI | 10 | 396 | 25 | 6.9% | 2.5 | 18 | 1.8 | 72.0% | 206 | 1 | 11.4 | 4.2 | 3 | 3 | 217.5 | 43.5 | 110 | $4500 | $2500 | $3900 |
Josh Hill | NO | A | TB | 9 | 338 | 22 | 4.5% | 2.4 | 15 | 1.7 | 68.2% | 149 | 1 | 9.9 | 8.5 | 9 | 12 | 272.6 | 51.5 | -145 | $4500 | $2500 | $3500 |
Larry Donnell | NYG | H | DAL | 10 | 179 | 22 | 4.9% | 2.2 | 15 | 1.5 | 68.2% | 92 | 1 | 6.1 | 10.4 | 27 | 26 | 301.4 | 47.5 | 170 | $4500 | $2500 | $3500 |
Crockett Gillmore | BAL | A | NE | 7 | 197 | 14 | 2.9% | 2.0 | 8 | 1.1 | 57.1% | 71 | 1 | 8.9 | 7.1 | 25 | 19 | 265.1 | 45.5 | -300 | $4600 | $2500 | $3000 |
Austin Hooper | ATL | A | LA | 12 | 226 | 23 | 5.6% | 1.9 | 17 | 1.4 | 73.9% | 257 | 2 | 15.1 | 7.8 | 16 | 15 | 252 | 45 | 230 | $4700 | $2500 | $3700 |
Tyler Higbee | LA | H | ATL | 12 | 179 | 22 | 5.5% | 1.8 | 7 | 0.6 | 31.8% | 57 | 0 | 8.1 | 11.4 | 23 | 28 | 306.4 | 45 | 230 | $4500 | $2500 | $3500 |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins | NYJ | A | SF | 2 | 52 | 3 | 2.2% | 1.5 | 3 | 1.5 | 100.0% | 44 | 1 | 14.7 | 8.6 | 28 | 29 | 269.4 | 44 | -145 | $4600 | $2500 | $3300 |
Premium Options
I suspect Tyler Eifert will be the most popular tight end play, especially among the premium options, but I will use him in cash games anyway. Better defenses may be able to take Eifert away and force Andy Dalton to throw to other receivers, but I doubt the Browns can. If I had to pick one tight end to catch a touchdown this week, it would be Eifert. He has a touchdown in each of his last two games.
If you want a slightly less popular play in this tier, I recommend Jimmy Graham. Graham has had six or more receptions in six games this season, and he has five touchdowns over his last five games.
Value Options
As someone who is counting on Dennis Pitta in the first round of the fantasy playoffs, I don’t necessarily buy the argument he has established himself as a consistent red zone target. After all, the first 12 weeks of the season when Pitta failed to catch a single touchdown still count, too. Even so, Pitta’s usage in Week 13 was encouraging, and he has always had a relatively high floor because he catches so many passes.
Speaking of encouraging usage, Eric Ebron looked good in the first half last week, but the Lions inexplicably went away from him. Ebron hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1, but I don’t think anybody would be surprised if he pulls a Dennis Pitta and scores twice.
Bargain Options
Daniel Brown was pretty underwhelming last week, but it is important to keep in mind the Bears basically didn’t throw the ball at all until the two-minute warning of the first half. Brown remains risky, but there is certainly a chance he is a bigger part of Chicago’s passing attack, and it doesn’t hurt that this game will be inside.
Player News
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams visited the Falcons on Wednesday.
Williams posted on his Instagram that he visited the Falcons facility on what was the last day of pre-draft visits. The 20-year-old is a Georgia native, played at the University of Georgia, and is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Falcons have a need for an edge rusher and hold the No. 15 pick. They may look to keep Williams in-state and add his skillset to their pass-rushing group. Williams tallied five sacks last season and has explosive production for any team looking to add an edge rusher in the first round.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart “won’t fall out of the first round.”
Schultz reports his sources are indicating that Dart will not fall out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He continues that the Giants are a candidate to trade up from pick No. 34 into the first round to take Dart if they do not take a quarterback at pick No. 3. The Saints are also an option with pick No. 9 or a trade up from pick No. 40. Dart is generally considered the third quarterback to come off the board after Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, so a team in need of a franchise quarterback may take a chance on him after Ward and Sanders are selected. Teams could look to gain a fifth-year option on Dart and trade into the first round if he is not taken earlier.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Raiders LT Kolton Miller is not participating in the voluntary offseason program and seeks an extension.
Miller was the Raiders’ first-round pick in 2018 and has started 107 games over seven seasons for the team. He is set to enter the final year of his current contract in 2025, making $12.25 million. Though he is not technically holding out yet since the offseason program is voluntary, Fowler notes Miller is seeking an extension. He finished last season with an 80.6 PFF grade, No. 14 among offensive tackles. Miller has been the Raiders’ franchise left tackle for seven years now and both sides will certainly discuss an extension as training camp nears.
Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten said he had a private workout with the Commanders’ running backs coach.
Tuten didn’t name him directly, but Anthony Lynn is currently the Commanders’ running backs coach and run game coordinator. The Commanders were hampered by injuries to both Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler last year. Robinson Jr. missed three games and played through some of his injuries while Ekeler missed five contests and was limited to just 112 touches. Tuten crushed the combine with a 4.32 Forty at 5'9/206. He handled 200 touches in back-to-back seasons at Virginia Tech while topping 1,100 yards from scrimmage in both campaigns. He would offer the Washington backfield a good mix of durability and home run potential.
Titans released OG Logan Bruss.
Drafted in 2022 by the Rams, Russ didn’t appear in his first NFL game until last year. He appeared in eight games for the Rams to start the year, three of which were starts, but was then cut. The Titans claimed him and he appeared in three more games. Bruss suffered a torn ACL in practice ahead of Week 14. His recovery will determine how quickly he finds a new home. The Titans also released LB Curtis Bolton, WR Stanley Morgan, DT McTelvin Agim, DT Isaiah Itonm, and DB Gervarrius Owens.
Giants GM Joe Schoen said drafting a quarterback isn’t “mandatory” after signing Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
Adding two journeyman quarterbacks won’t prevent the Giants from drafting a quarterback, but it at least gives them emergency options if they strike out on draft night. New York currently holds the No. 3 overall pick. Shedeur Sanders has a private workout with them this week and remains a candidate for their first-round selection. The Giants also have private workouts with Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe lined up. Neither player is expected to be drafted inside the top five, but the Giants could be eying a quarterback with pick No. 34. Russell Wilson can be penciled in as the Week 1 starter for now, but he’s far from a safe bet to make all 17 starts.