Mecole Hardman
+290
There’s no replacing Tyreek Hill, but Mecole Hardman has been pretty effective taking over that speed role in the Chiefs offense. He’s tallied three red-zone targets in three games with a touchdown.
From the eye test, he’s looked like the superior player to JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling – those two have combined for only three red-zone targets.
It’s no secret the Buccaneers boast a stout defense that has largely kept them afloat through the early part of this season, but they are more vulnerable through the air than on the ground as evidenced by three touchdown passes allowed vs. zero rushing touchdowns.
Priced at +210 last week, we’re getting more value this time around at +290. I’d play this as low as +250.
Cameron Brate
+390
The Buccaneers’ injury report is an absolute mess, and a lot of Tom Brady’s favorite targets are littered all over it – notably Chris Godwin (hamstring), Russell Gage (hamstring) and Julio Jones (knee). These injuries are part of the reason why I’m rolling with Cameron Brate. I really just can’t trust anyone else.
I know Brate is going to play and he’s played three times the amount of snaps and has four times the amount of targets as the next tight end on Tampa Bay’s roster. Beyond Mike Evans, who’s returning from a one-game suspension, it’s hard to trust anyone else on the Bucs to score.
The Chiefs’ defense has been pretty spotty overall, and they have allowed three touchdowns to tight ends this year – two of them last week to the Colts’ Jelani Woods.
I grabbed Brate at +390 and I wouldn’t play it any lower than +300.
Jerick McKinnon
+500
Last but not least is Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon.
Now I know I mentioned earlier that the Bucs are strong against the run, but the value is too hard to pass up here because McKinnon is actually playing more snaps than Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He also registered a receiving touchdown in Week 2 against the Chargers.
I was able to grab this bet at +500 and I would play it to +350. The value is too hard to ignore with this one.
