It’s the home stretch. The last of a long but also short season. The tight end position this season has seen some guys come off waivers and some big names let you down at times. Now as the season winds down we look at the championship week and who can help you secure that big win. Here are the Week 17 tight end streamers and sleepers.
Must start- George Kittle, Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, Jonnu Smith
Week 17 Tight End Streamers
Cade Otton/Payne Durham – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m going to assume that Cade Otton returns in Week 17 after missing the past week with a knee injury. The fact that the Bucs didn’t put him on IR shows me that they expect him back before 4 games. If Otton doesn’t return I’m fine with Payne Durham as well. A big part of that is the offensive scheme. Cade Otton is seventh in total targets at the tight end position. Durham just saw seven targets in the Week 16 game. That should continue. Even with the emergence of Jalen McMillian, the tight end position continues to be a priority.
Week 17 brings a matchup against divisional rivals Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are currently giving up the third most points to the tight end position. This game could be a sneaky high-scoring game. You will probably feel more comfortable if it’s Otton over Durham but I think both can be streamable.
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
I know. It’s your championship and the thought of putting Pat Freiermuth into your lineup is nerve-wracking and scary. You are going to argue that Russell Wilson has never supported his tight end. You are going to tell me that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith hates everyone so just when you think you know, you end up knowing nothing. Well, let me try to ease your fears about Pat Freiermuth for Week 17.
First, he is on a hot streak. I know he didn’t do great last week but before that, he was on a three-game touchdown streak. MyCole Pruitt had a touchdown last week so that could have been Pat. The Steelers are going against the Kansas City Chiefs who are giving up the third most points to tight ends. It’s a game on short rest so both teams will not be 100%. That means lots of rotating players on defense and a simplified offensive game plan. The Steelers have a ton to play for. They aren’t out of the hunt for the first overall seed in the AFC. They would need to win for that to happen. George Pickens has been out the past two games and he might still be out given the short week. While Wilson has never been a tight end kingmaker he has proven he can get Freiermuth the ball, especially in the red zone. Currently Pat is TE9 on the season. Unless you have a must-start guy I’m rolling with Frieremuth in Week 17.
Chig Okonkwo – Tennessee Titans
He was in the tight end sleepers last week and this week he moved up to the tight end streamer category. Chig Okonkwo has been as near to a must-start over the past two weeks as there has been. After having such an up-and-down season, Chig has found a nice rhythm and will be a stud for you in Week 17. Part of what has made him such a stud is the switch to Mason Rudolph at quarterback. Rudolph has fed Chig to the tune of 21 targets over the past two games.
Now looking at this week Okonkwo goes up against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are giving up the sixth most points to tight ends. It’s a team they just played back in Week 14. While Chig didn’t have a good game then, the change at quarterback and the hot streak he is on are signs pointing in the right direction. The Titans aren’t playing for much other than evaluating the talent on the team and maybe saving their head coach’s job. Given that this is a divisional game there are some bragging rights and pride factors so I expect the Titans to pull out all the stops.
Tight end Sleepers
Noah Gray – Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are playing on 5 days rest. It’s an incredibly harsh schedule that takes its toll on everyone. The Chiefs are also playing to lock up the number-one seed in the AFC playoffs. Even with all that’s on the line the wear of a 17-game season and the very little rest could mean they need to rotate some guys in. I’m looking at tight end Noah Gray as one of those people. Travis Kelce is still the stud but he was banged up last week. Gray only ended up playing on 49% of the team’s snaps and only saw one target but before that, he was playing on over 50% and seeing on average five targets a game.
The Chiefs are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers who are giving up the tenth most points to tight ends. The Steelers have struggled putting up points and this is going to be a test of their ability heading into the playoffs. If the Chiefs get a big lead I expect them to rest some of their stars. That is where Noah Gray will shine.
Daniel Bellinger – New York Giants
It’s been a long road for Daniel Bellinger in the NFL. Injuries during his rookie season.poor quarterback play and a run first team in his sophomore year and then injuries and a talented rookie this season. It now looks like things might be trending in the right direction for Bellinger. The change of quarterback to Drew Lock. Injuries around him allow for more opportunities and a team that can’t stop anyone from putting them in past first-game scripts.
So why is Week 17 the week for Bellinger to be a tight end sleeper? On top of playing over 70% of the Giants snaps the past three weeks and the quarterback, Drew Lock, favoring the tight end. The Giants are also playing the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are giving up the fifth most fantasy points to tight ends. The Giants are out of the playoffs and with a loss better their chances at getting the first overall pick but teams rarely go out and try to lose. The Colts are basically out of the playoffs but still want to work on some things and get their young team some reps. This doesn’t project to be a high-scoring game but Bellinger should reach the six-point mark and be a fine tight end sleeper.
Tyler Conklin – New York Jets
Not much has gone right for the New York Jets this season. They have tried everything. Fired coaches, and traded for players yet still the same old, same old. Even with all the turmoil one thing remains the same. Aaron Rodgers wants to show people that he is still not only an NFL starting quarterback but one of the best. Because of that Rodgers has had 150 passing attempts in the past four weeks since their bye. A part of that passing attack has been tight end Tyler Conklin.
Conklin missed Week 15 but since the bye has 17 targets over three games. He is being worked into the offense more. Even with the stars at receiver and running back, Conklin is getting volume. It’s not a great matchup this week against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are giving up the eighth fewest points to tight ends. Back in Week 6 they held Conklin to only three targets, two catches for 10 yards. Will the recent volume outperform the matchup? If you need a sleeper I’m willing to bank on opportunities. The Bills will know heading into this game if they are playing for anything or if they are all but locked into the two or three seed. If that is the case they may rest some starters, especially on defense which is already banged up. That could open up even more for Conklin.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!