Last week was a devastating one on the injury front in fantasy football. As a result, it’s quite possible that more managers than usual are scouring the free agent universe from plug-and-play fantasy football streamers heading into their Week 9 matchups. When it comes to the tight end position, several owners opt to stream players in all year long regardless. No matter what situation you are in, this TE streamers column is here to help!
Read on for three fantasy football streamers at tight end for Week 9 of the NFL season. At the end of the column, readers will also find lists containing the starting tight ends on bye this week as well as a few players who might be worth fading in difficult matchups.
Week 9 Fantasy Football TE Streamers
Ownership percentages reflect those across all Sleeper Fantasy Football leagues
Tyler Conklin | Minnesota Vikings (at BAL)
Current Ownership: 32%
Fantasy football managers in need of a TE streamer are wise to consider Tyler Conklin this week. While the Vikings’ overall offensive performance last week again the shorthanded Dallas Cowboys can only be summed up as “ugly”, Conklin quietly recorded double-digit PPR points in the loss. It marked the second straight game with over 10 fantasy points for the former Central Michigan Chippewa. Conklin secured five of seven total targets for 57 receiving yards last week. Snap count continues to be of little concern as he has played north of 70% in all of Minnesota’s games to date.
For as talented a football team as the Baltimore Ravens are, they set up as a very juicy fantasy football streamers matchup for Conklin this week. The Ravens enter Week 9 surrendering over 15 fantasy points per game to the TE position, the most of any defense in the NFL. When one combines Conklin’s high snap count and increasing target floor with the positive matchup, they get a fantasy streamer candidate with tremendous upside.
Evan Engram | New York Giants (vs LV)
Current Ownership: 47%
Giants’ tight end Evan Engram was featured in this very column last week as well. He wound up scoring double-digit PPR points to finish as the TE9 in Week 8. However, a touchdown notably saved what otherwise would have been a disappointing effort. Engram caught three of four balls thrown his way, but only had 15 yards receiving. As the Giants continue to press on without Kenny Golladay, there figure to be more targets available this week. In addition, the status of both Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard is once again in doubt for Sunday.
For the second straight week, Engram has a favorable matchup sitting in front of him. The Las Vegas Raiders have gotten beat by opposing TEs frequently this season. The 14.3 fantasy points they have allowed on average to the position are tied for the second-most of any defense in the NFL. Engram is no longer regarded as a must-own tight end in fantasy football. He remains available in over half of Sleeper leagues and could once again be a red zone factor for the Giants on Sunday.
Dan Arnold | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs BUF)
Current Ownership: 32%
On paper, Dan Arnold is facing a difficult matchup this week going up against the Buffalo Bills. However, there is a case to be made that Arnold’s current role in the Jaguars’ offense makes him semi-matchup proof. A lack of reliable weapons at wide receiver has seen rookie QB Trevor Lawrence target Arnold several times on a near-weekly basis since he was acquired from the Carolina Panthers via trade. Arnold turned in one of his best fantasy football lines to date last week. Jacksonville got routed by the Seattle Seahawks, but the 26-year-old out of Wisconsin-Platteville hauled in eight of his 10 total targets for 68 yards. He was very quietly the TE2 on the week in PPR scoring.
The fact that the Bills have allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing TEs is cause for concern. However, game script and the current betting odds for this matchup suggest that the Jaguars will be playing from behind for the majority of the game. Pass-happy play-calling in garbage time could benefit Arnold’s stat line. He has TE1 upside in fantasy football on a weekly basis based on the number of targets he gets in this offense.
Tight Ends on Bye in Week 9
- T.J. Hockenson | Detroit Lions
- Gerald Everett | Seattle Seahawks
- Rob Gronkowski | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Logan Thomas and Ricky Seals-Jones | Washington Football Team
Tight Ends Facing Tough Week 9 Matchups
- Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons (at NO)
- Dalton Schultz | Dallas Cowboys (vs DEN)
- Tyler Higbee | Los Angeles Rams (vs TEN)
