DFS: Week 9 Tight End Value Rankings
Here are theScore's tight end value rankings for Week 9 (Thursday night game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski (NE) | vs. WAS | Low |
| 2 | Heath Miller (PIT) | vs. OAK | Low |
| 3 | Martellus Bennett (CHI) | at SD | Low |
Gronkowski will cost you a small fortune, but he's absolutely worth it; though the Redskins have allowed just one TD to a tight end this year, Gronk has 33 scores in 37 career home games. Miller caught 10-of-13 targets last week and faces the Raiders, who have struggled with tight ends all year. Bennett should be a popular target Sunday, with the Bears likely playing catch-up.
Next 3
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Delanie Walker (TEN) | at NO | Low |
| 5 | Antonio Gates (SD) | vs. CHI | Low |
| 6 | Greg Olsen (CAR) | vs. GB | Low |
With Kendall Wright (knee) expected to miss Sunday's game, Walker should be in for all the work he can handle; he's an even better option if QB Marcus Mariota returns. Gates will be a target monster against the visiting Bears; Keenan Allen's absence should see to that. Olsen will have his dud weeks, but he's a recommended play at home against Green Bay.
Best of the Rest
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Jordan Reed (WAS) | at NE | Medium |
| 8 | Benjamin Watson (NO) | vs. TEN | Medium |
| 9 | Jason Witten (DAL) | vs. PHI | Medium |
| 10 | Charles Clay (BUF) | vs. MIA | Medium |
| 11 | Jacob Tamme (ATL) | at SF | Medium |
| 12 | Zach Ertz (PHI) | at DAL | Medium |
With Washington expected to play from behind all day against the Patriots, Reed should see plenty of action. Watson has 26 catches for 369 yards and three touchdowns over his last four games; he may not be a sexy pick, but he has become one of Drew Brees' most reliable options. Tamme should be part of the fun as the Falcons look to trounce lowly San Francisco.
Nothing to See Here
| # | NAME | OPPONENT | RISK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Julius Thomas (JAC) | at NYJ | High |
| 14 | Kyle Rudolph (MIN) | vs. STL | High |
| 15 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB) | vs. NYG | High |
| 16 | Jordan Cameron (MIA) | at BUF | High |
| 17 | Jared Cook (STL) | at MIN | High |
| 18 | Larry Donnell (NYG) | at TB | High |
Thomas is expected to return this week, but will have trouble generating much of anything on the road against a stout Jets defense. Seferian-Jenkins and Donnell are both major injury risks; monitor their statuses throughout the week, and take a flier if you dare. Rudolph remains the most TD-dependent TE on the list; he has exactly two catches in five straight games.