Sportsgrid-Staff

Fantasy Football Tight End Picks: Key Strategies & Tips

<h3>Week 17 Tight End Analysis: Navigating a Challenging Slate</h3>
The tight end position in Week 17 is a barren wasteland, with many top players having already played or unavailable. While Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders headlines the slate as the must-start option, the rest of the field is a mix of dart throws and risky plays. Let’s explore the top options, sleepers, and betting insights for this week’s tight ends.
<hr />
<h3>The Elite Option: Brock Bowers</h3>
1. Bowers ($6,700 in DFS) 
Bowers is in a tier of his own this week, and with good reason. His consistent target volume and ability to produce even without touchdowns make him the safest tight end play. Indoors against the New Orleans Saints, weather won’t be a factor, allowing Bowers to thrive.
<ul>
<li>Projection: 7-8 receptions, 70-80 yards, 1 touchdown (20+ fantasy points).</li>
<li>Betting Insight: Look for props like Bowers over 5.5 receptions and over 60.5 receiving yards. Both feel achievable in this matchup.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Mid-Tier Considerations</h3>
2. Jake Ferguson of the Dallas Cowboys ($4,800) 
With CeeDee Lamb out, Ferguson becomes one of Cooper Rush’s top targets. While Ferguson lacks the ceiling of Bowers, he has a solid floor given his increased involvement in the passing game.
<ul>
<li>Projection: 4-6 receptions, 40-50 yards (8-10 fantasy points).</li>
<li>DFS Strategy: A viable pivot if you’re looking to save salary and avoid Bowers&#8217; chalk.</li>
</ul>
3. Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills ($4,300) 
Kincaid continues to see steady usage in Buffalo’s offense, though his upside is capped by Josh Allen’s spreading the ball around. With Allen potentially on a snap count, Kincaid’s value takes a slight hit.
<ul>
<li>Projection: 3-5 receptions, 30-40 yards (6-8 fantasy points).</li>
<li>Betting Insight: Avoid touchdown props; Kincaid has struggled to find the end zone consistently.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Cheap Dart Throws</h3>
4. Luke Musgrave of the Green Bay Packers ($3,900) 
Musgrave’s return complicates the Green Bay tight end situation, but he remains a red-zone threat. Against a struggling defense, he could sneak in a touchdown.
<ul>
<li>DFS Strategy: A touchdown-dependent play for those needing extreme salary relief.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Players to Avoid</h3>
1. Juwan Johnson of the New Orleans Saints 
Johnson has been wildly inconsistent, offering little more than the hope of a red-zone target. The Saints’ offense doesn’t provide enough volume to justify the risk.
2. Tucker Kraft of the Packers 
With Luke Musgrave back, both Packers tight ends are unreliable and should be avoided unless desperate.
<hr />
<h3>DFS and Betting Recommendations</h3>
<h4>DFS Strategy</h4>
<ul>
<li>Cash Games: Lock in Bowers. His high floor and ceiling make him essential for stable lineups.</li>
<li>Tournaments: Ferguson or Musgrave are viable contrarian options.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Betting Recommendations</h4>
<ul>
<li>
Bowers Props:
<ul>
<li>Over 5.5 receptions</li>
<li>Over 60.5 receiving yards</li>
<li>Anytime touchdown (+130)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Ferguson Props:
<ul>
<li>Over 3.5 receptions</li>
<li>Over 30.5 receiving yards</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3>Final Thoughts</h3>
The tight end position in Week 17 is a “pay up or punt” scenario. Bowers is the clear top choice, but if you’re looking to save salary, Ferguson offers the best balance of safety and upside. Betting markets align with these options, as both Bowers and Ferguson’s props are set in ranges where they can exceed expectations.
For fantasy managers and DFS players, don’t overthink it—go with Bowers unless salary forces your hand.
You can read all about what&#8217;s going on in the National Football League at <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl">SportsGrid.com</a>.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Explore insights on the challenges confronting NFL's top teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, and Detroit Lions.

NFL Teams Analysis: Top 5 Board and Season Predictions

Explore 2026 Super Bowl bets: Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles lead at +650. Gain insights and identify potential underdogs for the 2025 season.

2026 Super Bowl Betting Odds and Expert Predictions

Explore NFL stars &amp;amp; prop bets: wide receiver Xavier Worthy shines; get key quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs stats for your next wager.

Analyzing Player Props and Performances in NFL Games

LATEST VIDEOS

Dalton Kincaid,Josh Allen,CeeDee Lamb,Jake Ferguson,Luke Musgrave,Tucker Kraft,Brock Bowers,Juwan Johnson,Buffalo Bills,Buffalo  NY,AFC,AFC East,Dallas Cowboys,Dallas  TX,NFC,NFC East,Green Bay Packers,Green Bay  WI,NFC North,Las Vegas Raiders,Las Vegas  NV,AFC West,New Orleans Saints,New Orleans  LA,NFC South

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/2033434-1920x1080.webp?v=1739198381

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

The tight end position has been a vast wasteland in fantasy this season and championship week won't be any different with options being extremely limited.

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

Predicting the Landing Spots for the Top 35 NFL Free Agents

Super Bowl LIX Most Bet First Touchdown: Kelce & Worthy in the Hunt

Super Bowl LIX Most Bet Anytime Touchdowns: Hurts or Barkley?

Super Bowl LIX Most Bet Player Props: Backing Big D

Super Bowl LIX: Chiefs vs Eagles Preview & Betting Insights

Patrick Mahomes: The Clear Favorite for Super Bowl MVP

Travis Kelce a Safe Bet to Have a Big Game in Super Bowl LIX

Patrick Mahomes Emerges as a Sharp Pick to Score a Touchdown

Assessing Saquon Barkley's Rushing Props in Super Bowl LIX

Can the Chiefs Slow Down A.J. Brown & the Eagles' Passing Attack?

SportsMillions: Pick'em, Blitz'em and Social Casino

Best NFL Sportsbook Promos

Comment

Home

Articles

SportsGrid is your source for the best sports bets today. Watch SportsGrid for live sports news coverage, scores, odds, moneylines, sports betting tips & more.

sportsgrid.com

Ferrall Coast To Coast

College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

Bare Knuckle Fighting Main Event

The Early Line Live

SportsRage Tonight Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

MODUS Super Series Darts

Gametime Decisions Live

Fantasy Sports Today

The Smylie Kaufman Show

NHL Today

Ferrall Coast To Coast From Super Bowl Week

Ferrall Coast To Coast Live From Super Bowl Week

NFL Super Bowl Pro Football Today

OUR SHOWS

Head coach Andy Reid's strategy and Patrick Mahomes' skill couldn't avert a lopsided Super Bowl defeat for the Kansas City Chiefs vs the Philadelphia Eagles.

Kansas City's Lackluster Performance in Super Bowl

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

VIDAA

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

Amazon Prime Video

Freevee

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Local Now

Stremium

Rad TV

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sirius XM

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

WHERE TO WATCH SPORTSGRID

MORE ARTICLES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos