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 15 Tight End Waiver Wire Picks and Streamers

Tight end waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 15 of the fantasy football season. Craig Rondinone recommends TE free agents to consider adding off waivers.

If your fantasy football season is over, either because you did not make your league’s playoffs or because you have had enough of failing in DFS contests, then this column is not for you.

Congratulations if you HAVE qualified for your fantasy league’s playoffs! To reach the postseason you must have received some decent play from the tight ends on your roster, but if you need one for your championship run than there should be a couple on your league’s waiver wire that can help you this week. And if you are just looking to make a couple of extra bucks to add to your holiday spending budget, feel free to find a tight end below to stream in a DFS contest!

Without further ado, here are my tight end waiver wire picks for Week 15!

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

TE Waiver Wire Options for Week 15

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams – 24% owned

It took Higbee 57 games to finally have his first 100-yard-game. It only took one more to get his second. Higbee has the look of a Hall of Famer after racking up 14 receptions for 223 yards and touchdown over the past two weeks. Many fantasy pundits chalked Higbee’s first foray into triple-digit yardage territory a fluke because it came against Arizona’s pathetic pass defense, but now that he repeated the feat against Seattle I think it is time to take notice that Higbee is onto something.

L.A. head honcho Sean McVay has worried less about getting passes into the hands of Brandin Cooks and Todd Gurley this year and given those targets to Higbee and tight end teammate Gerald Everett, who has also thrived when he has been featured more often in the offense. But Everett’s knee injury has helped turn Higbee into a top-10 tight end in two weeks' time. Higbee will face a reeling Dallas Cowboys squad that allowed Chicago’s unknown duo of J.P. Holtz and Jesper Horsted to combine for seven catches for 92 yards last Thursday. Higbee should be able to post those numbers all by himself as long as Everett stays sidelined and the Rams continue designing plays for him.

Noah Fant, Denver Broncos – 41% owned

The quarterback carousel in Denver has caused Fant’s fantasy value to fluctuate on a weekly basis. Joe Flacco did Fant no fantasy favors, then Brandon Allen led Fant to his most productive stretch of the season, only to have Drew Lock bring it back down in his first NFL start. It looks like Lock and Fant are on the same page now, though, after Fant caught four passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in Denver’s shocking upset over the Houston Texans this past Sunday afternoon.

I realize Fant does not have an attractive matchup this Sunday – at Kansas City against an improved pass defense that has a 3-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio over its last three contests and held Fant to one measly catch earlier in the season. Fant has just as much short-term and long-term fantasy value as anyone in this column and mostly anyone on waiver wires these days, however, so he has to be considered one of the top prospects at the position for the present and future. One note of caution – Fant left the game early on Sunday with a foot injury, so make sure he is healthy and suiting up for sure this week if you need him for your playoff game.

 

Other Options to Consider

Hayden Hurst, Baltimore Ravens – 13% owned

Hurst has been overshadowed by Mark Andrews since the two tight ends were drafted by Baltimore in 2018, even though Hurst was drafted in the first round and Andrews the third. But now that Andrews has a leg contusion and might not play this Thursday against the New York Jets, Hurst will definitely be thrust into an important role in the Ravens passing attack since quarterback Lamar Jackson loves tossing to his tight ends. Hurst had three receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown this past week and could do it when the Jets come to town.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins – 38% owned

Gesicki has learned how to put his big body, soft hands and above-average speed to better use in recent weeks as he scored back-to-back touchdowns heading into Week 14. He picked the worst possible time to pull the fantasy plug on himself, however, as his one-catch, six-yard dud against a New York Jets secondary that was missing three starters might have killed many fantasy seasons. Give him another chance this week against a New York Giants defensive backfield that has been totally terrible throughout the campaign and Gesicki might reward you.

Jacob Hollister, Seattle Seahawks – 39% owned

Hollister continues delivering solid fantasy performances even though he was stuck behind Will Dissly, Ed Dickson and Luke Willson on Seattle’s depth chart at the start of the season. Hollister has 24 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns over his last five games and should do well against a Carolina team that appears to be giving up on the season now that Rob Rivera was canned as head coach.

Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers – 13% owned

Thomas filled in nicely again for the oft-injured Greg Olsen this past weekend, catching five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. If Olsen is not ready to return from his concussion this week, Thomas gets to face a Seattle secondary that just made Tyler Higbee look like Tony Gonzalez in his prime. Just know that if Olsen is slated to come back that Thomas holds no fantasy value in standard leagues whatsoever since he had only caught one four-yard pass all season up until Olsen was injured.

Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans – 19% owned

Smith has the athletic skills of a wide receiver, but you never know what you are going to get from him week in and week out. He looked like a Pro Bowl player when he hauled in a touchdown against Oakland this past Sunday and faces a Houston team that just allowed the aforementioned Fant to slice and dice their defense. Just know going in that Smith could break your heart as easily as he could make you cheer.

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 21% owned

Brate needs the injuries or demotions of others to help create targets and opportunities in Tampa Bay’s offense for him. The latest open door comes via Mike Evans’ hamstring injury, which was key to allowing Brate to have 30 receiving yards and a TD this past weekend versus Indianapolis. If Evans misses this week’s game against Detroit’s bottom-of-the-barrel pass defense, Brate could be a pickup nominee in deep leagues as he will probably get three-to-six targets.

Jesse James, Detroit Lions – 7% owned

When James signed his $25 million deal with Detroit in the offseason, fantasy players probably thought the Lions were going to gift him with an important role in their offense. Turns out that role had much more to do with blocking than catching passes. First-round pick T.J. Hockenson got most of the tight end targets during the year but now that he is out with a season-ending ankle injury, James will see more passes thrown in his direction. Unfortunately, James can only be viewed as a longshot option, especially if Matthew Stafford is not the one throwing the passes.

 

Don’t Forget About…

T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions – 46% owned

Speaking of Hockenson, the rookie burst onto the fantasy scene with six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in his very first NFL game, but his value has gone as downhill as Lindsey Vonn since then. He was only able to add another 236 yards and one additional touchdown since Week 1 due to a shoulder injury, a concussion and tighter coverage from opposing defenses. Now that he is done for the season due to his ankle, take advantage of owners in dynasty leagues who set him free and pick him and stash him for 2020 and beyond.

Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys – 11% owned

Who knows if Jason Witten’s return from retirement was a one-and-done situation? He may want to beg for another shot at the broadcast booth after the fiasco this season has become for the Cowboys. If Witten does call it quits again, Jarwin would be Dallas’ top tight end in 2020 and could be poised for 600 yards and six touchdowns if he progresses at the position.

More Waiver Wire Adds and Pickups




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

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
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
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
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
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
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
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
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
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF