X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 1 Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

Tight ends to add or target off the waiver wire for Week 1 of the 2018 fantasy football season. Craig Ronindone lists the TE pickups you should be looking to add to your roster.

So your fantasy draft left you with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, a terrific tandem at running back, and two tight ends that will not be able to catch a cold even if they were in a frozen pond in the dead of winter with nothing on but tube socks. Well, it is time to fix your drafting error and fill your void at tight end via the waiver wire!

Here is a look at some tight ends that probably went undrafted in your fantasy league that you can pick up before your first game of the season.

When you're done here, don't forget to check out our waiver wire recommendations at running back.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 1 TE Waiver Wire Pickups 

Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins

I know Davis is 100 years old, and I know he is technically the backup for Jordan Reed in Washington, but Reed is the most injury-prone tight end in the NFL. He makes Rob Gronkowski look as durable as Brett Favre in a Jets uniform. So if you were a gambler and drafted Reed and have a spot on your roster where you can stash Davis as a rare tight end handcuff, it is a no-brainer.

Davis had 43 receptions for 648 yards last season and could equal those numbers again if Reed gets injured for umpteenth time. New Redskins quarterback Alex Smith loves tossing to his tight ends (check out Travis Kelce’s numbers the past couple seasons in Kansas City for a reminder), and the Redskins receiving corps is average-at-best. Also, Washington only faces one pass defense (Jacksonville) that was ranked in the top 10 in 2017. Davis is not going to put up Zach Ertz numbers, but he could be better than what you have at TE right now.

Antonio Gates, Los Angeles Chargers

You knew it would happen. As soon as Hunter Henry torn his ACL this offseason, everyone penciled in Gates as the Chargers’ top tight end. He took his sweet time returning, taking a page out of Le’Veon Bell’s playbook, but Gates has signed and is automatically the No. 1 TE on the Chargers depth chart.

Gates had a career-low 316 receiving yards last season, but that was partially due to Henry taking his targets at tight end. Philip Rivers zones in on Gates more in the red zone than I zone in on the food court at the mall. Without Henry on the field, Rivers will focus on Keenan Allen first and then Gates second in many games, if not most of the games. Do not be surprised if Gates takes a big gulp from the Fountain of Youth and finishes with 55 receptions for 500 yards and six scores.

Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts

Ebron was viewed as a disappointment by fantasy owners and Lions fan during his four-year tenure in Detroit. The former first-round pick only caught 11 touchdown passes over that span and only averaged 45 receptions and 515 yards per season, and he was part of a pass-first offense that could not run the ball, so you would think he could have done a lot more with his skill set on that squad.

Ebron now is the No. 2 TE behind workmanlike Jack Doyle, who makes key catches but has no chance of winning a gold medal in the 100-yard-dash (8.6 YPC in 2017). A healthy Andrew Luck could give Ebron’s fantasy value new life if there are enough targets for him after Doyle and T.Y. Hilton get theirs. Ebron is worth a fantasy flyer if your tight end situation on your team is as murky as a polluted ocean.

 

Other Options

Jake Butt, Denver Broncos

The former Michigan product missed his entire rookie season due to a torn ACL, but Denver has little competition at tight end with inconsistent Jeff Heuerman as the only guy standing in Butt’s way. Butt is a fantasy longshot at this juncture, but remember how well Case Keenum meshed with Kyle Rudolph in Minnesota? Maybe a Butt-Keenum connection could be fruitful.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

I would rather take a chance on a player that I know little about than one I know a lot about that has limited upside and/or potential. Gesicki has athleticism and catches better than he blocks, so wouldn’t you rather pick up a player like this if you need a tight end rather than settle for Dwayne Allen?

 

More Weekly Lineup Prep




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Travis Etienne Jr.

Needs to Bounce Back in 2025
Wan'Dale Robinson

Wants More Downfield Opportunities this Season
Quinshon Judkins

Arrested on Saturday for Battery and Domestic Violence
Terry McLaurin

Could be a Holdout at Training Camp
Roger McCreary

a Candidate for a Contract Extension?
Max Fried

Exits Start With Blister
Mike Evans

Buccaneers Could Have Difficult Time Retaining Mike Evans
Charles Cross

Could Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Xavier Restrepo

One to Watch Going into Training Camp
Calvin Ridley

Appears Re-Energized
Mark Andrews

Still a Key Piece in Ravens Offense
Ndamukong Suh

Officially Announces his Retirement
Jaylen Waddle

Motivated After Disappointing Season
Tre Harris

Still Unsigned
Hunter Dobbins

to Miss Rest of Season With Torn ACL
Nolan Arenado

Held Out of Lineup on Saturday
Alexandre Sarr

Plays Well in Summer League Loss to Phoenix
Yang Hansen

Looks Good on Friday Night
Carlos Correa

Sitting on Saturday
Austin Riley

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Nolan Arenado

Exits Friday's Contest With Sprained Finger
Jake Burger

Expects to Play on Saturday
Erik Karlsson

Open to Move Away From Pittsburgh
Zach Hyman

Hopes to be Ready for Start of Next Season
SJ

Jeff Skinner Joins Sharks on One-Year Contract
Wyatt Langford

Records Four-Hit Night
Cal Raleigh

Homers Twice, Drives in Five
Cody Bellinger

Swats Three Homers in Victory
Jake Burger

Leaves With Quad Discomfort on Friday
Carlos Correa

Exits Game With Mild Ankle Sprain
Edward Cabrera

Dealing with Posterior Elbow Discomfort
Austin Riley

Leaves Game Early on Friday With Abdominal Tightness
Kon Knueppel

Struggles in Summer League Win
Rafael Devers

Dealing With Back Inflammation
Walter Clayton Jr.

Plays Well on Friday Night
Cody Williams

Scores 21 Points in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Leads the Way on Friday Night
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Returning on Friday
Sauce Gardner

Wants to be Highest-Paid Cornerback
Rhamondre Stevenson

Heading into an Important Season
Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Vikings Have Mutual Interest in Extension
Tua Tagovailoa

2025 Could be Tua Tagovailoa's Last Season in Miami
Rashawn Slater

has "Full Confidence" a Deal Will Get Done
Byron Buxton

Returns on Friday
Isaiah Jackson

Signs Three-Year Extension
Jake Meyers

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Calf Strain
Brandon Lowe

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Tightness
Kodai Senga

Reinstated to Start on Friday
Alex Bregman

Officially Activated and Starting on Friday
Marvin Bagley III

Joining the Wizards
Herbert Jones

Signing Extension with Pelicans
Jacob Toppin

Returning to Hawks
Chicago Bears

Bears Extend General Manager Ryan Poles
Dalton Knecht

Avoids Serious Injury
MarShawn Lloyd

in a "Much Better Spot" Heading Into Training Camp
Javon Small

Signs Two-Way Deal
Dustin Hopkins

Browns Still Counting on Dustin Hopkins
Ryan Reaves

Traded to Sharks
Vladislav Kolyachonok

Moves to Dallas
Matt Dumba

Lands in Pittsburgh
Mackie Samoskevich

Re-Signs with Panthers on One-Year Deal
Josh Manson

Inks Two-Year Extension with Avalanche
EDM

Isaac Howard Signs Three-Year, Entry-Level Contract With Oilers
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF