Week 12 Tight Ends: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

November 18, 2014

Matt Hartman analyzes Week 12 fantasy football tight ends (TE) - waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for both PPR and non-PPR leagues. NFL tight ends are a key component.

Whats up ballers? The season has come and gone, and now we’re nearly 2 or 3 weeks away from the fantasy football playoffs. Are you ready? As usual, I'll be recommending this week's best waiver wire pickups at tiht end.

While tight ends are very unpredictable week to week, and it’s especially difficult to get consistent results from outside the top seven, we’re not going to stop trying to find the best tight end waiver wire options for you each week.

All of my waiver wire recommendations will be organized by priority, so those players closer to the top of the article are the more valuable ones to target.  To help make it easier I will clearly indicate levels of waiver pickup importance so it makes it easier for you to decide.  With that said, let’s get to it!

Fantasy Football Tight Ends (TE) – Week 12

Coby Fleener (TE, IND) - 51% owned in Fleaflicker

Last week the Indianapolis Colts were hit with the injury bug by losing Dwayne Allen & Ahmad Bradshaw.  With the injury to Allen, Coby Fleener became the 1 man TE show and he exploded.  Fleener was efficient (7 targets, 7 catches) and productive 144 yards (21 yards/catch).  The early injury status report on Allen is he has a sprained ankle.  Currently Allen is projected as a game time decision and its likely that he won't play this week.  If Allen does not play, Fleener will have another opportunity to produce at a high level.  

This week Fleener will have a plus matchup versus the Jaguars who give up the 9th most points to TEs for PPR, and 11th most for standard leagues.  To give you a reference the Patriots were ranked 8th (PPR) & 7th (STD) to opposing TE's so its a high  possibility that Fleener could have another 7 catch, 75+ yard game.  The key with Fleener is watching the status of Allen as his playing time impacts the value of Fleener.  In any case, I'd highly recommend targeting Fleener on waivers and starting him this week.

Recommendation: waiver wire pickup all leagues (STD, PPR)

Niles Paul (TE, MIA) - 20% owned in Fleaflicker

Guess what?  Jordan Reed is injured.  Is anyone surprised?!  I am guessing not, as earlier this season Reed was dealing with a left hamstring; now his right hamstring is tweaked.  While Reed was out Niles Paul filled in nicely. So far Paul has had a career best season with 33 catches , 446 yards (44.6/game) and 1 TD.

Looking at his upcoming schedule Paul has a nice matchup in weeks 13 & 17 with two ok options in between.  On the season the Washington TE's have totaled the 7th most fantasy points combined. This shows that Washington likes to use their TE's in their offense and with Reed being out expect Paul to get a lot of opportunities.  He's a nice consolation prize if you miss out on Fleener on waivers.

Recommendation: waiver wire pickup in 12+ team leagues (standard, PPR)

Zach Ertz (TE, PHI) - 68% owned in Fleaflicker

Prior to this season there was a lot of talk about Zach Ertz having a break out season. Well so far he has not come close.  However that's not going to stop me from recommending him as a waiver or trade target.  Why do I say such crazy things?  Here's why...looking at his upcoming schedule he has favorable matchups in 4 of the next 6 games.  If the Eagles are smart they will target this weakness in defenses they face.  In the last two weeks since Mark Sanchez has been starting QB the TEs have been targeted 19 times (~9/game).  With Brent Celek as the primary blocking TE I would anticipate this volume to continue and Ertz to reap the benefits.  If you play in a standard league Ertz's value is low but if you play in PPR he's a TE to consider trading or picking up off waivers.

Recommendation: Trade target (buy low) or waiver wire pickup in 12+ team leagues (PPR)

Tight Ends (TE) for Deeper Leagues

Marcedes Lewis (TE, JAX) - 5% owned in Fleaflicker

In the first two weeks of the season Marcedes Lewis showed the possibility of having a breakout season.  Sadly, he landed on the IR soon after the season started.  The good news is that he's off IR and has two fantastic matchups in a row against Indianapolis and the New York Giants. The Jaguars have played from behind in a lot of their games which leads to a lot of pass plays.  With numerous injuries happening to their receiving corps, Lewis will be a nice addition to their roster.  If you are in a deeper league and are in need of a TE Lewis is a nice waiver recommendation.

Recommendation: continue monitoring, waiver recommendation only for deeper leagues

Jacob Tamme (TE, DEN) - 3% owned in Fleaflicker

Last week Julius Thomas left the game due to injury and did not return.  With Thomas injured Jacob Tamme received a lot of targets (10) but disappointed (4 catches, 31 yards).  Thomas has been classified as having an ankle injury and was in a walking boot after the game.  Currently Thomas is out of the walking boot and seems to be better but is listed as questionable.  If Thomas does not play this weekend Tamme is a nice sneaky add.  However he's my last recommendation this week as its possible Thomas may play.

Recommendation: continue monitoring, waiver recommendation only if Julius Thomas does not play

Honorable Mentions

Garret Graham (HOU), Mychal Rivera (OAK), Charles Clay (MIA), Jared Cook (STL), Jace Amaro (NYJ), Scott Chandler (BUF), Tim Wright (NE)

Waiver Wire Tight Ends (TE) for Shallower Leagues

Larry Donnell (NYG), Travis Kelce (KC), Heath Miller (PIT), Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

Recap of Last Week’s Recommendations

Some serviceable recommendations last week, with the notable exception of Kyle Rudolph who surprised everyone with a severe dud. This week's recommendations should fair better.

• Kyle Rudolph: 0 targets, 0 catches, 0 yards (0 PPR points)
• Charles Clay: 6 targets, 5 catches, 31 yards (8 PPR points)
• Mychal Rivera: 5 targets, 3 catches, 40 yards (7 PPR points)
• Jared Cook: 5 targets, 3 catches, 19 yards (4 PPR points)
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins: 1 target, 1 catch, 7 yards (1 PPR points)

I hope these guys help you in your matchup next week and going forward for the season. If anyone has any specific questions or is looking for any assistance, hit me up @businesssoxroto. See you all next week RotoBallers!