Tight Ends Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 2 TE Options Include Zach Ertz, Brenton Strange, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry, more

September 9, 2025

Craig's tight end (TE) fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 2 of 2025. His top TE fantasy football pickups, free agents to add, tight end streamers.

One week down, three tight ends down.

It did not take long for the injury bug to bite some tight ends on the backside. San Francisco’s George Kittle, Denver’s Evan Engram, and Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers all got banged up. Now, fantasy football managers are scrambling like Justin Fields to find tight ends. That is why I am here!

Here are the top candidates at tight end to pick up on fantasy waiver wires heading into Week 2, starting with a steady veteran with a proven track record who Jayden Daniels likes to aim at in the red zone:

Top Tight Ends to Pick Up - Week 2 Waiver Wire

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Zach Ertz picked up where he left off last season in Week 1 – as the aforementioned Daniels’ top target when the Commanders are near the end zone. Ertz caught three passes for 26 yards and Daniels’ only touchdown toss in Washington’s opening-week victory over the New York Giants.

The first Commanders touchdown of the season.

Jayden to Zach Ertz.pic.twitter.com/mfsQ7E94Fj

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) September 7, 2025

Ertz posted a 66-654-7 line with Daniels as his quarterback last year, as his fantasy value bounced back when people probably thought he was at the end of his career. While Washington acquired Deebo Samuel Sr. in the offseason to bolster the receiving corps, that should not stop Ertz from getting his looks, especially once the Commanders get inside the 20.

Pick him up if you want a solid TE2 who can be used as a TE1 if need be.

Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Like I predicted in other RotoBaller pieces leading into the season, Brenton Strange is going to be a surprise at the tight end position. Ranked as a TE20 to TE25 in most of the publications I read, Strange should be able to be a TE15 as he plays the role of the pass catcher who gets the target scraps left over that Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter.

Strange led the Jaguars with four receptions for 59 yards in Week 1, which was more yards than Thomas and Hunter managed combined. Strange will be a consistent target of Trevor Lawrence throughout the campaign and has upside since this is only his third year, and he is a former second-round pick. I would take him over Ertz in dynasty and keeper leagues.

Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh’s tight end tandem of Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth will be interesting to watch this season. Both are solid TE2 types when they are the top tight end on a team. Now that they have to share the playing time and targets in Pittsburgh, they will probably dent each other’s fantasy value.

Smith got the better of his tight end teammate in the opening week as he caught five Aaron Rodgers passes, including a cute shuttle pass that scored him a TD. You would think Smith would put up better numbers than Freiermuth since Arthur Smith loves him and runs the offense. Just know that Smith’s ceiling is lower than others due to Freiermuth being on the team.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Longtime veteran Hunter Henry has been better than any of the Patriots’ poor pass catchers the past couple of seasons, and he started strong with four catches for 66 yards in his opening contest. New England might have another subpar season, which bodes well for Henry’s target total.

New England has upgraded its receiving corps by adding Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams to the fold, but Henry will remain one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets this season. Veteran Austin Hooper is still on the roster, though, and will slice into Henry’s targets a bit, just like he did last year.

Do Not Forget About…

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans

Houston’s receiving corps is Nico Collins and a couple of clouds of dust now that veteran Christian Kirk strained a hamstring and will miss multiple games. Dalton Schultz tied Collins for the most targets on the team in Week 1. With the rest of the receiver room loaded with retreads or unproven youngsters, Schultz should continue to see five to eight targets a week in 2025.

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

David Njoku might be the tight end making multimillions on the Browns, but Harold Fannin Jr. is the one fantasy managers have been talking about since training camp. The third-round pick is a physical specimen and racked up seven catches for 63 yards in his first game as a rookie. This will be one of the more interesting tight end pairs to watch in fantasy football this season.

Harold Fannin Jr. set an NFL record in his debut today. Fannin had seven receptions — tied for the most all time (Warren, IND) by any rookie tight end in Week 1! @fannin_jr | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/6T6oWj9EYr

— MACtion (@MACSports) September 7, 2025

Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Gesicki might be the tight end making multimillions on the Bengals, but Noah Fant is the one fantasy managers have been talking about since training camp. Sorry to be a broken record, but it’s true. Now, Fant gets out of the gates with an opening week touchdown, while Gesicki catches one measly pass? This situation is not good for either veteran’s fantasy value.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Carolina is devoid of veteran pass catchers except for the returning Hunter Renfroe (who Carolina cut and then brought back) and journeyman David Moore. It makes sense that Ja'Tavion Sanders would move up the target totem pole. He caught two passes for 27 yards on Sunday and has upside if you want to take a flyer on him.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers’ knee injury is probably minor, but why take the chance? Pick up Michael Mayer as a rare tight end handcuff, because he would likely become Geno Smith’s top target by default, because the Raiders receiver room is so light on talent.

Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins

There is no truth to the rumor that Darren Waller really missed his first game as a Dolphin to sing a duet with Ashanti. Hopefully, Waller’s cranky hip will not keep him off the field for long, and he can be a sneaky stash for someone in the market for a low-risk, high-reward tight end. The guy showed flashes of his old self with the NY Giants at certain points in 2023.

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