The tight end battle on Monday night is between two players heading in different directions due to better quarterback play in San Francisco. Tyler Warren is a future stud who remains a top-10 player at his position this year. George Kittle is trying to make up for lost time.
Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts (DK: $6,600)
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium. | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
As has been the theme for most of the Colts’ players over the past month, Warren heads into this week off four dull games (5/45, 3/22/1, 2/15, and 3/19) while averaging 5.75 targets. He opened his rookie season with double-digit fantasy points (PPR) in six (14.90, 11.90, 18.30, 14.40, 18.30, and 16.90) of his first seven games. His top output in receiving yards came in Week 10 (8/99).
The 49ers sit 25th in fantasy points allowed (210.60) to tight ends. They’ve given up nine touchdowns, with failure in seven games.
NO (5/49/1)ARI (8/58/1)JAC (9/68/1)LAR (10/114/2)ARI (12/126/1)CLE (5/47/1)TEN (8/82/1)
Warren falls into a soft spot in pricing this week, giving him a good chance to hit the winning ticket. The challenge in this showdown slate will be pairing one receiver with each quarterback while rostering stud running backs. He appears to be a dark horse to be a captain play, but his success then would require a pairing with Philip Rivers.
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George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (DK: $8,400)
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) warms up before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. | Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Over the past five games, Kittle has upped his success (9/84/1, 6/67/2, 6/78, 4/67, and 8/88/1), resulting in him averaging 19.08 fantasy points per game. He has six touchdowns over his nine starts, highlighted by a high catch rate (83.3%).
The Colts rank 24th vs. tight ends defense (208.80 fantasy points). They allow a high catch rate (71.7%) while allowing only five touchdowns. Most of the Indianapolis struggles vs. tight ends came midseason over a four-game stretch (ARI – 10/106/1, LAC – 7/164/1, TEN – 6/76/1, and PIT – 10/95/1). Four other teams had at least seven catches from their tight ends.
Trey McBride (8/72/1)Oronde Gadsden (7/164/1)
Kittle’s direction gives him an excellent floor for his salary this week. His matchup suggests he’ll be active. I see a coin flip between him and Jauan Jennings, with the winner coming from scoring a touchdown.Â
Best DraftKings Showdown Quarterback: Brock Purdy vs. Philip Rivers
Final Week 16 Monday Night Football DraftKings Showdown Thoughts
This slate looks impossible to play two top-tier running backs with a combination of George Kittle/Jauan Jennings or Tyler Warren/Michael Pittman. Brock Purdy is the better quarterback, helped by Christian McCaffrey’s chance to score a receiving touchdown.Â
Check out the best Wide Receivers to Target on Tonight’s Slate!
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