The tight end position isn't overflowing with depth. Instead, it's still top-heavy. So, those of you who kicked the can down the road at the position instead of investing in an elite tight end might dabble in the streamer waters. Some of you came out of drafts with the intention of streaming.
No matter the path to this point, those who need help identifying widely available tight ends to help their fantasy squad each week have found the correct spot. This is your weekly home for streaming options. Here are three choices for this week.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Yahoo! Roster Percentage: 43%
Unfortunately, Hunter Henry left last week's game early due to a knee injury. His knee is still sore, but he reportedly has a chance to play against the Miami Dolphins this week. The New England Patriots aren't an exciting offense, and Henry has been a disappointment this year.
Nevertheless, Henry has a good matchup, namely where he makes his hay. Per Pro Football Reference, the Dolphins are tied for the most touchdown receptions allowed to tight ends this year (10). Meanwhile, Henry's three targets from within 10 yards of scoring are tied for the second-most on the Patriots. Henry didn't reel in any of those targets. Nevertheless, the usage was encouraging. He's also scored two touchdowns this year and found paydirt nine times last year. So Henry can succeed in scoring territory.
In addition, Henry has popped up for at least 50 receiving yards five times this year. It's a wasteland streaming this position, but at least Henry has previously shown a nose for the endzone and a bit more than touchdown-or-bust value.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Yahoo! Roster Percentage: 27%
Mike White will start for the New York Jets this week and elevate their passing-game options from the doldrums. Tyler Conklin wasn't a world-beater in White's three starts this year. Still, he had some encouraging marks.
First, he was second on the team in target share (13.2 percent) and tied for second in receptions (10) on White's pass attempts. Second, Conklin had a decided advantage in route participation over fellow tight end C.J. Uzomah. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Conklin ran 144 routes versus only 74 for Uzomah since Week 12.
Conklin's presence on the field and in a route could pay huge dividends this week against the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is a dumpster fire when attempting to defend tight ends. According to Football Outsiders, tight ends have averaged the second-most receiving yards per game (65.5) against the Seahawks. Additionally, Seattle's tied for the fifth-most touchdown receptions allowed (8) to them this year.
Since White can competently lead the offense and the matchup is tantalizing, Conklin is a worthy streamer in fantasy football championship week.
Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts
Yahoo! Roster Percentage: 2%
To the surprise of no one, Nick Foles didn't save the Indianapolis Colts' offense. However, he did pepper Jelani Woods with a 17.9 percent target share, leading to a team-high 43 receiving yards on three receptions in last night's Monday Night Football contest.
Woods is a big and inviting target for Indy's quarterbacks, and he's flashed potential this year. The rookie had two touchdown receptions in Week 3, found paydirt again in Week 6, and erupted for eight receptions and 98 receiving yards in Week 12. His Week 16 showing was something to build on, and the Colts would be wise to get their big-bodied tight end valuable reps in a lost season.
Woods can also benefit from a soft matchup this week. The New York Giants have permitted the fifth-most receiving yards per game (60.5), tied for the sixth-most receptions (79), and tied for the ninth-most touchdown receptions allowed to tight ends this year (6).
So, while Woods is on the lowest percentage of rosters among the tight ends featured in this piece, he's my favorite option of the touted streamers.
Joshua Shepardson is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Joshua Shepardson also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username bchad50. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.