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If you have not focused your attention on your fantasy hockey and hoops teams yet and still care about fantasy football, this is the column for you!
This is my final tight end waiver wire column of 2023, and let me tell you there have been few dull moments. Fantasy footballers have needed tight ends thanks to Mark Andrews’ injury, Travis Kelce’s Taylor-Swift-induced slump, and many tight ends having subpar seasons. Thankfully, league waiver wires have produced many gems at the position that have helped people make the playoffs and win their leagues, including Detroit’s Sam LaPorta, Arizona’s Trey McBride, and Baltimore’s Isaiah Likely.
You might be in a league that uses Week 18 to determine its champion. Or maybe you just want a low-cost TE option to win a DFS contest to build up your bankroll. If you fit into one of these categories, read on and find the right tight end for you! Without further ado, here are the best tight end waiver wire pickups for Week 18, starting with the hottest of New Orleans’ tight ends these days.
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Top Tight Ends to Pickup - Week 18 Waiver Wire
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Johnson took his sweet potato pie time becoming relevant for fantasy football this year, but he has saved his best for the end of the season when fantasy footballers need him the most. The burly playmaker is back to being a dominant red zone threat, scoring touchdowns in each of his past three games. Unlike other times when he has been dependent on touchdowns to have any fantasy value, Johnson has also added 14 catches for 176 yards over this three-game hot streak.
Johnson has had some decent showings against the Atlanta Falcons in the last couple of years, scoring three touchdowns over his past four games when facing them. There is no danger of Johnson being rested considering the Saints-Falcons tilt has major ramifications when it comes to who is winning the NFC South title and heading to the playoffs. Johnson is easily the top tight end available on waiver wires for leagues that allow pickups during the last week of the regular season.
Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
With four consecutive games with at least four receptions and 48 receiving yards, Kraft has become one of the more consistent fantasy performers in recent weeks. He has been lucky that top target Christian Watson and top tight end Luke Musgrave have been sidelined with injuries, and the rookie has taken advantage of the extra opportunities. With Green Bay hosting Chicago and its 21st-ranked pass defense this Sunday in a must-win game, look for Kraft to keep the solid stats rolling in.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans’ multidimensional threat has been held in check on the ground lately (four rushing yards over his last three games) but has still been putting up some numbers when running routes as a pseudo-tight end. He has had success against the Atlanta Falcons in recent years, so I would bank on him scoring a TD on a run, pass, or catch this weekend with the Saints pulling out every stop to win the division.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
While Okonkwo’s 34-yard effort in Week 17 was his worst in over a month, the fact is that he has a string of six straight games of at least 30 receiving yards. He will not singlehandedly win a fantasy championship or DFS contest for you during the final week, but he will not torpedo your chances at winning money, either.
Do Not Forget About…
Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots
Gesicki has six catches for 50 yards and a TD in the two games he has subbed in for the injured Hunter Henry. If Henry cannot suit up for the season finale, Gesicki is a sneaky play considering he is facing an overrated New York Jets defense that just made Cleveland’s David Njoku look like the second coming of Shannon Sharpe last Thursday night.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are so banged up at wide receiver that they might ask John Jefferson and Charlie Joiner to get back on the field even though they are senior citizens now. The Chargers have no choice but to target Everett often these days (four straight games of eight targets or more), but he has failed to score a touchdown in his last five contests and has zero 50-yard games on the season. Everett can get you five catches for 45 yards this week. Just do not expect much more than that.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Higbee is coming off securing a season-high six catches against the New York Giants, but his status for the final game of the season is in doubt due to a dislocated left shoulder suffered during the game. The Rams have a playoff berth locked up so do not be surprised if Higbee is kept out to rest up for the postseason. If he does play, however, he becomes one of the top-five tight ends on the waiver wire.
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