Divisional Round Gridiron Challenge: Top 5 Most Valuable TEs

By Sean Cordy

Divisional Round Gridiron Challenge: Top 5 Most Valuable TEs

Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers, Fantasy Football — With one week of playoffs in the books, it's time to look ahead to the Divisional round this week for the ESPN Gridiron Playoff Challenge. There are always some surprises during the playoffs, and this week won't be an exception. There will be some big players coming out of nowhere and some stars who misfire, so it's careful to spend your team's salary wisely. Here are five great value plays at tight end.

5. Jason Witten - Dallas Cowboys

NFL: St Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys

5. Jason Witten - Dallas Cowboys

NFL: St Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys — Witten might be a little pricier than some – $ 5.4M – but he’s still worth picking up if you’re looking for someone who’s reliable. He may only pick up about 50 yards, but he’ll rarely dip below that as Tony Romo’s security blanket. Considering the Cowboys will be playing in the cold and the pressure Romo may receive, short passes might be the key to the game, making Witten instrumental.

4. Luke Willson - Seattle Seahawks

NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

4. Luke Willson - Seattle Seahawks

NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals — Willson is the cheapest TE option available at $ 4.5M, but don’t take his valuation to heart. He hadn’t been playing all season, so his stats that ESPN evaluates aren’t up to par with others. He’s a player who can have a successful game, and he’s already proven that against the Panthers earlier this year. We’re only three weeks removed from his two-touchdown, 100-plus yard performance, so he’s worth a gamble to save close to $ 1M this week.

3. Greg Olsen - Carolina Panthers

GregOlsen

3. Greg Olsen - Carolina Panthers

GregOlsen1 — The Panthers won’t be laying down this week against the Seahawks, and if they want to pull the upset, running a balanced game will be key. To make that happen, Cam Newton will have to rely on his best targets, primarily Olsen who has over 1,000 yards this season to make him one of the highest priced TEs at $ 5.5M. He'll prove to be worth that price tag as I expect the Panthers to pull the upset.

2. Crockett Gillmore - Baltimore Ravens

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2. Crockett Gillmore - Baltimore Ravens

USATSI_8270653_149008644_lowres — Like Willson, Gilmore is an underrated TE because of his inexperience. But he proved that his late-season surge should be trusted. He comes into this week at a modest $ 4.7M price tag even after pulling in the highest point total among tight ends last week against the Steelers. The Patriots won't have any better time slowing him down than Pittsburgh did.

1. Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots

Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots

1. Rob Gronkowski - New England Patriots

Miami Dolphins v New England Patriots — It's hard to argue with Rob Gronkowski this week against the suspect Ravens defense. He may be the highest-priced option at tight end, but he'll be well worth it if Tom Brady has his way. Look for Gronk to be visiting the end zone at least once and carrying the Patriots fresh off their bye week.

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