The tight end role is very thin this season. Outside of Greg Olsen and Martellus Bennett, TEs are averaging well under 10 fantasy points in 2016. While the usual production from the league’s top tight ends is not happening, there are some TEs that potential fantasy owners should be considering.
Here are the tight ends to consider grabbing and shopping in Week 8.
Buy Low
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
Doyle is playing every down while starter Dwayne Allen is sidelined and he is making the most of it. The fourth-year TE caught 13 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the past two weeks. Doyle is tied with T.Y. Hilton in leading the Colts in touchdown receptions and is second in targets and receptions for the team.
He is on pace to have over 600 yards and nine touchdowns this season. It does not seem that fantasy owners have caught on to Doyle’s breakout performances. He is still available in a most leagues right now and definitely worth picking up.
Current standard fantasy average: 6.4 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 31 percent
Next four games: KC, at GB, BYE, TEN
Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens
Pitta leads the Ravens in receptions and has the second highest targets behind Mike Wallace. He is also second in receiving yards for the team. Pitta lacks scores, but he is consistent in every other category, averaging just under 9 yards per reception.
Pitta has a lot of upside, especially in PPR leagues. He also faces two of the weaker defenses against tight ends in Week 9 and 10, making Pitta a good stream option in this bye week period.
Current standard fantasy average: 4.9 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 67 percent
Next four games: BYE, PIT, CLE, at DAL
Sell High
Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Most owners are used to Witten being a scoring machine. This year he is steady with an average of 9.8 yards per reception, but is scoreless. It looks like he and rookie QB Dak Prescott are struggling to get on the same page, though Witten leads the Cowboys in targets.
Still, Witten is a top tier tight end that can bring back a lot of value in a trade. Also, if Romo returns, he is sure to see a bump in production, another good selling point.
Current standard fantasy average: 4.6 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 71 percent
Next four games: PHI, at CLE, at PIT, BAL
Travis Kelce, Kansas City
Kansas City is dedicated to the run, which hurts Kelce’s value. He ties Jeremy Maclin in leading the Chiefs in receptions and is second in receiving targets and touchdowns.
Kelce will continue to be a top target for QB Alex Smith and will probably find the end zone, but not nearly at the pace of his 2015 season.
The Pro Bowl TE is looking at some stingy defenses in the next few weeks. This would be a good time to shop Kelce before he hits a tough stretch in the season.
Current standard fantasy average: 7.4 points
Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 99 percent
Next four games: at IND, JAX, at CAR, TB