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Craig's tight end (TE) fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7 of 2025. His top TE fantasy football pickups, free agents to add, tight end streamers.
Only two teams are on bye in the NFL this upcoming week, but both have tight ends that have been fantasy forces this season and/or in past seasons.
Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid and Baltimore’s Mark Andrews will not be on the field this week, so millions of fantasy managers will need to find replacements if they do not like the backup tight ends they have on their rosters. If you are one of these millions, or if you are just unhappy with what you have been getting out of the tight end on your team, you are shopping at the right store.
Here are the top candidates at tight end to pick up on fantasy waiver wires heading into Week 7, starting with a tight end who gets his shot to shine again on Monday night:
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Top Tight Ends to Pick Up - Week 7 Waiver Wire
Kyle Pitts Sr., Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts Sr. should have been picked up by now in most leagues, yet some fantasy managers probably still believe his value is stunted by a run-first offense led by tailback Bijan Robinson and a passing attack led by inconsistent youngster Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta should be well-rested and raring to go after having a week off. Pitts and the Falcons get to face a San Francisco defense that has lost arguably its two best players to season-ending injuries. Pitts is averaging 4.6 catches for 45 yards per week and should top those numbers against the Niners. He will not last another week on your league’s waiver wire, so pick him up or suffer the consequences.
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Cleveland’s TE1-A has a bevy of things going for him heading into Week 7. Harold Fannin Jr. has an energetic rookie quarterback in Dillon Gabriel throwing to him, and Fannin’s role should be elevated now that incumbent tight end David Njoku suffered a knee injury this past weekend. If Njoku misses a game or a month, Fannin quickly ascends to be a top-10 fantasy tight end.
Look for Fannin to have another good game this week against a reeling Miami Dolphins defense that is softer than cotton sheets with a 600-thread count. After piling up a season-high 81 yards on Pittsburgh, Fannin could be in for a bigger afternoon this Sunday. If you want to pick him over Pitts, be my guest.
Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
Let’s be honest. Denver’s offense does not look like a Sean Payton offense. It has not exactly been “high-powered.” Scoring 13 points against a N.Y. Jets squad that had not held an opponent under 27 points this season is downright embarrassing. Blame it on the bangers and mash in London if you want.
Evan Engram does not mind that the Broncos have been playing close to the vest and keeping their passes on the short side. He has been targeted 20 times over the past three weeks and has 13 catches for 104 yards and a TD to show for it. This week, he gets to face his former New York Giants team and should be revved up to run routes against their 26th-ranked pass defense. Engram will be extra-pumped to prove to his old organization that they should have never let him walk away.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Before we go anointing Theo Johnson as the next Mark Bavaro, let’s give the second-year man a couple more games to prove he can be a fantasy force. After scoring three touchdowns in his Week 4 and 5 games, Johnson was held to two catches for 27 yards against Philadelphia last Thursday night. Playing against Denver’s staunch defense this Sunday does not help Johnson’s fantasy outlook, either.
Mason Taylor, New York Jets
New York’s rookie tight end appeared on the verge of a breakthrough when he racked up 14 receptions for 132 yards over a recent two-game span. Justin Fields can ruin a pass catcher’s fantasy value as easily as an All-Pro cornerback, though. Mason Taylor was held to one catch for two measly yards in London on Sunday morning. Fantasy managers must know that if they pick up Taylor, he will sprinkle in some clunkers between his good games due to the quarterback throwing to him.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers
Who saw this coming? George Kittle pulls a hamstring, and little-known Jake Tonges steps in and puts up the same numbers Kittle would have? It is one of the crazier fantasy football stories of 2025. Tonges has three touchdowns in six games and has been targeted 23 times in his last three, thanks to San Francisco’s injury-riddled receiving corps. Just know that if you pick him up, Kittle will eventually return and dent Tonges’ fantasy value with a ballpeen hammer.
Do Not Forget About…
Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers
Oronde Gadsden II cleaned up on Sunday against Miami, setting season-highs across the board with seven catches for 68 yards on eight targets. He took advantage of some extra targets since top receiver Quentin Johnston was out with an injury. Gadsden has now gained the trust of quarterback Justin Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh. I like him more in dynasty formats since his fantasy value has upward potential.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans’ jack-of-all-trades missed the first month but is slowly finding his niche in a new offense. After completing a pass for 19 yards and running six times in Week 5, Taysom Hill scored his first touchdown in Week 6. Look for head honcho Kellen Moore to create more packages and situations to utilize Hill’s skill set as the season wears on. Hill still remains TE-eligible in many fantasy leagues, so he is a sneaky get.
Taysom Hill is back scoring TDs!
NEvsNO on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/pLWTcEt9lI
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025
Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
17 receptions and one touchdown in five games is not bad for a tight end. It would be nice if Jonnu Smith could average more than 5.2 yards per catch, though. This is the same guy who had at least one 50-yard catch in six of the past seven seasons. Smith is still a viable option this week, however, because he is facing Cincinnati’s 31st-ranked pass defense on Thursday evening.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
The loss of Brock Bowers has been a gain to the stats and fantasy worth of Michael Mayer, who is one of the best backup tight ends in the NFL. The Notre Dame product had five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee after putting up sixth-string wide receiver stats over the first five games. If Bowers stays off the field, using Mayer in a pinch, especially as a cheap DFS play this week, is not the worst idea.
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Chicago’s prized rookie has not done much since he stepped on the field (five catches, 54 yards). That is why Colston Loveland might be available in many fantasy leagues. The Bears’ first-round draft choice this year was not drafted that high to be Cole Kmet’s waterboy, though. Loveland is returning from his hip injury and should put his stamp on the fantasy football world soon.
Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
If four catches for 34 yards is what you are looking for from your fantasy tight end on a weekly basis, Chig Okonkwo could be your man. I might be shortchanging him, actually, because he has topped the 45-yard mark in three of his past contests. I keep hoping that his numbers will improve as quarterback Cam Ward improves, but neither has happened yet.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
The heroic Tyler Higbee is still working his way back from his catastrophic knee injury from the 2023 playoffs, but he was able to find the end zone for the first time this year against Baltimore. Higbee caught all four of the Matthew Stafford darts thrown his way and turned them into 40 yards and the score. If top target Puka Nacua misses time with his ankle injury, Higbee’s target total will increase.
Absolutely incredible TD celly from Tyler Higbee here 😂
LARvsBAL on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/6aIcDRBoRd
— NFL (@NFL) October 12, 2025
Who Should I Pick Up Tool
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Who Should I Pick Up? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Harold Fannin Jr., Evan Engram, Theo Johnson, Kyle Pitts, Jake Tonges, Chig Okonkwo, Michael Mayer, and Oronde Gadsden. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pick Up? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pick up ... all free! Make the right decisions.
2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on Harold Fannin Jr., Evan Engram, Theo Johnson, Kyle Pitts, Jake Tonges, Chig Okonkwo, Michael Mayer, and Oronde Gadsden. They are some of the most common searches for tight-end fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pick Up
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Harold Fannin Jr., Evan Engram, Theo Johnson, Kyle Pitts, Jake Tonges, Chig Okonkwo, Michael Mayer, and Oronde Gadsden:
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