Top daily fantasy football tight end plays for Week 8

Welcome to Week 8 of the Daily Fantasy season. Pricing has stabilized as trends have emerged but there are still bargains to be found and even some higher-priced options that will go under-owned and can make a difference in your lineups. This article looks at some of the projected lesser-owned plays at tight end who could provide huge boosts to your tournament lineups, as well as some trap plays to avoid.

We recommended you fade Fleener last week, because his road numbers with Drew Brees have been sub-par, to say the least. Well, Fleener is at home this week and his last two home performances have been, shall we say, stupendous. Fleener has 20 and 22 in his last two Superdome games, largely a function of Brees’ extreme home/road splits. Basically, any time the Saints are home, the entire passing game is worth considering.

Josh McCown is back at quarterback for the Browns, and that is great news for Barnidge, who has been McCown’s BFF during their time together in Cleveland. Barnidge has been decent this season with a revolving door at quarterback, even posting a respectable six catches for 66 yards last week with a mix of Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan under center. Now, with his trusted McCown, against a weak pass defense, Barnidge is a solid play.

Rudolph has been shaky the last couple of weeks, as the entire Vikings offense laid an egg last week in Philadelphia. But the Bears have had their issues against tight ends this season and while he’s never going to be as flashy as Gronk or as prolific as Jordan Reed, Rudolph is always a threat to find the end zone and make value. He will be largely overlooked this week, so a strong performance could make for profitable lineups in tournaments.

This is becoming a thing. Doyle was targeted 10 times last week against the Titans, after getting eight targets in his previous three games combined. His nine catches for 78 yards were easily season highs, and he scored for a second straight week. Yet, his price still lingers sub-$5,000 and the Colts are home this week, where their passing game really thrives. He might be popular, but his salary allows for differentiation in other areas. Don’t be late for the Doyle Train.

It’s always fun to recommend players for the first time, and Fiedorowicz has made his case by receiving 22 targets over his past three games. Being involved in the Texans’ passing game hasn’t exactly been a reason for excitement lately, but this week against the lowly Lions pass defense, the opportunity for a major performance beckons. With Doyle the same price, Fiedorowicz’s ownership is going to be minuscule, but he could easily be the more productive tight end of the two.

Henry (concussion) is apparently going to play, but he is in a tough spot against a defense determined to avenge a loss three weeks ago and now has Antonio Gates re-asserting himself in the offense. His price has climbed to a point where you have to consider fading this bad matchup.

It was fun while it lasted. Rob Gronkowski is all the way back and Tom Brady is looking almost exclusively his way. Bennett had one catch on two targets last week and now he’s dealing with an ankle injury that caused him to miss practice on Friday. He was a sneaky play even when Gronk and Brady first reunited, but those days are apparently over.