RADIO
While there were plenty of movers and shakers on the fantasy scene, the tight end position didn't see as much volatility. Injuries have been the biggest story in the tight end world, but the tight ends remained healthy, at least during this past week.
So here we are, feverishly looking to analyze statistics and projections to justify an addition to our fantasy football teams.
Below are my Week 6 waiver wire adds for tight ends. Following this past week's games, this is a list of tight ends you should consider adding to your roster.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge #2 is back with a massive $100,000 grand prize and $203,250 total prize pool, paying down to 100th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 8 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 17th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $100,000! Sign Up Now!
Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 6
Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ) - 28% owned (FAAB Bid: 3%)
The Browns are particularly bad against the TE so his performance Sunday must be taken with that in mind. Nevertheless, ASJ is averaged six targets a game since returning from his two game suspension. He only amassed 29 yards on his six receptions last week, but he did find the end zone for the first time this season. The Jets are going to start losing games and having to throw more, which bodes well for ASJ. He is an excellent bye week/injury replacement with the upside to be a back end TE1.
David Njoku (TE, CLE) - 7% owned (FAAB Bid: 4%)
The Browns' rookie TE is tremendously athletic and appears to be a red zone force. On a team devoid of pass catchers, Njoku has a chance to be the rare rookie TE that is relevant. Make no mistake, I am not suggesting the Browns are about to make Njoku the centerpiece of their passing attack and pepper him with targets. He is pretty much a touchdown or bust option. However, he does have three touchdowns in five career games. Clearly, the Browns draw up plays for him near the end zone. He may very well already be their best red zone target. With the TE position as difficult to manage as it is this season, chasing a touchdown might actually be the best approach.
Deeper League Options
Ed Dickson (TE, CAR) - 6% owned (FAAB Bid: 1%)
I had Ed Dickson here last week and he's here again. For those of you who took the gamble, it paid off big time. Do not expect that to ever happen again. We probably just witnessed the best game of Dickson's career. With that being said, he could still provide a couple useful outings while Greg Olsen is out of action, so once again, Dickson is a solid deep league dart throw.
George Kittle (TE, SF) - 1% owned (FAAB Bid: 0%)
Another rookie TE appears on this list in the form of George Kittle. He certainly should not be your only TE. However, Kittle offers athleticism and solid hands for a team that does not have a better option at TE. He is coming off a nine-target, seven-reception effort. It's probably just a blip, but Kittle has the ability to make an impact if the 49ers make a concerted effort to get him the ball. If you want to gamble that it happens, it is best to do so in advance.
Nick O'Leary (TE, BUF) - 0% owned (FAAB Bid: 0%)
The Bills don't have anyone that is capable of catching a football besides LeSean McCoy. Jordan Matthews is injured. Charles Clay is now injured. Zay Jones can't catch. After Clay went down, Tyrod Taylor continued throwing to his TE, which became Nick O'Leary, who saw six targets, catching five of them for 54 yards. If you can get 5-54 from your TE, that's good enough in 2017. The Bills are off this week so O'Leary is just a name to keep on your radar for next week and possibly grab on Sunday morning if you have the spot.
Must Hold Tight Ends
The following players are a complete and exhaustive list of all the Tight Ends you absolutely cannot drop. Anyone not listed below can be safely cut.
Initially, I was going to list a couple names that you can drop if you needed to. Upon review of the state of the tight end position, I am amending my approach on the fly. If your TE is not found listed below, that does not mean you should run out and drop him right now. Don't do that. Just understand that if you had to drop him, you should not feel compelled to keep him because of something like ownership percentage or name value.
- Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE)
- Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
- Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
- Delanie Walker (TE, TEN)
- Jordan Reed (TE, WAS)
- Evan Engram (TE, NYG)
- Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA)
