RADIO
The tight end has been the most frustrating position in fantasy football this year. Aside from Rob Gronkowski’s dominance with the New England Patriots, no other tight end has been consistently great. The other tight ends of the NFL are usually hit or miss with the potential for a stinker being equal to the chances of a great game.
The matchups typically determine which tight ends have the best chances at delivering big success for your fantasy games. Two tight ends on the board this week are quite underrated and could steal you a big Week 9 victory.
Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed has been quietly productive but his health issues have limited him. After sitting out two games, Reed delivered a huge performance with 72 yards and two touchdowns in his Week 7 return. Reed is one of quarterback Kirk Cousins’ favorite weapons, with an average of over nine targets per game. That’s a higher target average than Gronkowski and only second to Antonio Gates.
Washington will likely be in for a beating on Sunday against the New England Patriots. With an early deficit, they’ll be forced to throw early and often. Cousins should see nearly forty passing attempts and Reed is his favorite target. Reed could see heavy yardage and a few garbage time red zone looks. The Patriots pass defense is mediocre at best. In the rare chance the game remains competitive, Reed could still be in store for a good day.
The Oakland Raiders have been by far the worst team in the NFL at defending the tight end. Heath Miller and the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Raiders and should take advantage of the matchup. Running back Le’Veon Bell’s injury gives Miller more value than anyone on the team aside from DeAngelo Williams.
In games without Bell this season, Miller is averaging 9.4 standard fantasy points per game vs. 1.4 standard fantasy points in games Bell was able to start and finish. Ben Roethlisberger trusts Miller as a reliable option and he’s one of the best short field weapons for Pittsburgh.
You have to feel good about Miller this week against Oakland’s defense. Every team has destroyed the Raiders with their tight end aside from the Denver Broncos and New York Jets, two teams without a credible tight end on the roster during those games. Miller is the top tight end value available this weekend in daily fantasy due to his cheap salary and huge upside.
