Welcome to the FC Insights Tight End Targets Article. In this post, we will be breaking down our top options and plays at the TE position for each DFS week of the 2021-2022 NFL DFS season.
Top Plays
John Bates (DK- $3,000, FD- $4,600)
| Opponent | Team Total | Opponent Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game To TEs |
| @ NYG | 22 | 12.43 |
NYG is in the middle of the pack of defending TE’s (14th least fantasy points surrendered) but there is a window of opportunity for John Bates with one of NYG’s linebackers in Tae Crowder lacking pass deflections. Bates has also gradually taken over the targets from his teammate Ricky-Seals Jones as of late. However, the red zone targets have been low for Bates so he’s on the riskier side of choices. Fortunately, Bates has had more yards per route run (1.58) than Seals-Jones (1.14). This should solidify Bates chances of receiving the majority of the volume in the advantage WAS has at the moment.
Darren Waller (QUESTIONABLE-KNEE) (DK- $2,500, FD- $4,500)
| Opponent | Team Total | Opponent Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game To TEs |
| LAC | 24 | 17.38 |
After a single target game Darren Waller has a great opportunity to bounce back against LAC since they’re first in surrendering fantasy points to the TE position. However, Darren Waller is coming back from injury so that is the biggest risk. However, if he is able to play at 100% he may end up as one of the best TEs on the slate. Waller was one of the most dominant players at his position when he was playing and still has the highest target total on his team at 84. Therefore, there should be no question he’ll get several chances to dominate if he’s playing and healthy.
Geoff Swaim (DK- $3,300, FD- $4,700)
| Opponent | Team Total | Opponent Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game To TEs |
| @ HOU | 27 | 14.08 |
Geoff Swaim has gradually taken over the TE role for the TEN squad despite matching targets last game with his teammate Anthony Firkser (3). Swaim is also average 1.32 yards per route run compared to Firkser’s 1.05. This will give Swaim even more of a boost especially in the middle of the field where HOU may be weaker with their middle linebacker Christian Kirksey having pass deflections on the lower end compared to other linebackers on the slate. However, Swaim is another risky tight end option but with some edge due to the middle of the field being the weaker part of the HOU defense.
Pat Freiermuth (DK- $4,600, FD- $5,200)
| Opponent | Team Total | Opponent Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game To TEs |
| @ BAL | 18 | 15.51 |
Pat Freiermuth has sneakily maintained his high red zone target rate (3rd in the league) which bodes well for his chances to score in a divisional matchup against BAL. BAL is also surrendering the fourth most fantasy points to the TE position which is even more of a plus for Freiermuth. PIT is also within the top 10 of the lowest Vegas implied totals for the slate so if Pat Freiermuth does accumulate points, it may be mainly off of score(s). Luckily this would be BAL’s weakest part of their defense for PIT to target.
Value Play(s) for DK/FD
DK/FD- Austin Hooper ($3,600/$5,100)
| Opponent | Team Total | Opponent Fantasy Points Allowed Per Game To TEs |
| CIN | 19 | 15.46 |
Another potential mid-low scoring game will go underway for CIN/CLE, but Austin Hooper has the edge of CIN surrendering the fifth most fantasy points to the TE position. Hooper has also taken over the total targets for the CLE (61), and coming off a game as the highest targeted TE on his team. In addition, Austin Hooper is within the top half of the league (13th) in red zone targets. This should give him an opportunity to at least score once in this game. The price has also been decreased especially on FanDuel for Hooper so now would be a chance to get him at a bargain.
