Streaming Tight Ends: Week 12 Targets

Nov 24, 2015

For those new to tight end streaming, the idea is to identify a waiver wire tight end with a favorable matchup that is likely to post TE1 caliber fantasy points. The foundation for the matchup research is 4for4’s Schedule-Adjusted Fantasy Points Allowed (aFPA) metric. As the season progresses and more data is available, aFPA gets more and more reliable, using rolling 10-week data. Volume and efficiency metrics are also considered when searching the waivers for tight end streamers.

No position was spared in the fantasy scoring apocalypse that was Week 11, and that goes for tight end streamers. Streaming candidates combined for a measly 5.0 PPR fantasy points (basically what Gronk scored, if it makes you feel any better), reminding us of the nasty variance tied to this position.

Through 11 weeks, tight end streamers are averaging 8.8 PPR fantasy points per game, with optimal selections putting up 13.7 PPR fantasy points per contest, which equates to the TE7 on the season.

Streaming candidates must be available in at least 40% of Yahoo leagues, in order to ensure that the picks are readily available in most leagues. As always, be sure to consider 4for4’s weekly rankings in case a highly ranked player is still available in your league.

Here are the top streaming options for Week 12:

Kyle Rudolph @ Atlanta

While Kyle Rudolph has been anything but consistent this season, he has shown an ability to take advantage of favorable matchups. In five games against teams ranked 20th or worse in aFPA to tight ends, Rudolph is averaging 10.1 PPR fantasy points, while putting up just 6.2 PPR points in his other five contests.

The Falcons come into this game ranked 31st in tight end aFPA, surrendering 17.1 adjusted PPR points per week to the position. Before last week, the Falcons hadn’t held a tight end under 12.5 PPR points since Week 5, and had surrendered double digit points to a tight end in every game since Week 1.

With nine targets in Week 11, Rudolph is coming off of his highest usage and best game of the season. That momentum should continue this week for the Vikings tight end, who is available in 60% of Yahoo leagues.