Week 15 Tight Ends: Waiver Wire Pickups, Adds & Playoffs Prep

What’s up, Ballers? By now you have either begun the fantasy football playoffs or about to--  are you ready to dominate?  This is the time we’ve all been waiting for, so let’s win some leagues!

As usual, I’ll be recommending the best waiver wire pickups and potential sleepers for the tight end position for Week 15 of your Fantasy Football Playoffs.  While tight ends are very unpredictable week to week, and it’s especially difficult to get consistent results from outside the top guys, we're not going to stop trying to find the best tight end waiver wire options for Week 15 and your playoffs run.

All of my waiver wire recommendations are 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.  With that said, let’s get to it!

 

Fantasy Football Tight Ends (TE) – Week 15

Larry Donnell (TE, NYG) - 66% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

Throughout this season, I've recommended Larry Donnell, but I've struck out every time only to watch him explode the week after.  I'm hopeful and confident this time I'll be correct. This week Donnell will be playing a Washington team against whom he had seven catches for 54 yards and three TDs in Week 4.  Donnell is currently the sixth-most-targeted TE in the league, which makes for a fantastic PPR hold throughout the season (averages six per game).  Washington has struggled against TEs (seventh-worst in the league), and they allowed four TDs over the past two weeks to Coby Fleener and Jared Cook. I expect Donnell will continue to get six targets, at least 50 yards and a TD.  If he's available on waivers, I'd target him.

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

 

 Jared Cook (TE, STL) - 40% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

Cook is the most valuable receiving weapon on the Rams.  The problem has been the lack of TDs.  Last week, Cook broke out in a big way versus Washington with four catches for 61 yards and two TDs.  This week, Cook will have another prime matchup versus an Arizona team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.  Last week, Arizona gave up seven catches and 110 yards to Travis Kelce.  I expect Cook to have another big game, and let's hope that he gets another TD this week.

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

 

Kyle Rudolph (TE, MIN) - 55% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

I'm hesitant to recommend Kyle Rudolph this week given the lack of production from him this year, but this matchup is his chance to make me a believer.  Rudolph will be facing a Detroit defense that struggled to defend against tight ends in Weeks 12 and 13.  However, the guys Detroit struggled against were top-tier options (Bennett and Gronk).  The silver lining is that Tim Wright also had a big game versus the Lions in Week 12 (five catches, 36 yards, two TD).  Over the last three weeks, Rudolph has received fairly few targets (10), which limits his value tremendously in PPR leagues.  If you are looking to roll the dice on a TE, Rudolph could be your huckleberry.

Recommendation: Waiver wire pickup in 12+ team leagues (standard)

 

Tight Ends (TE) for Deeper Leagues

Garrett Graham / Ryan Griffin (TE, HOU) - 6% owned in Fleaflicker leagues

This week is another nice matchup for both Houston tight ends.  Graham is the starter, but he's banged up, so I’ll recommend both since we don’t know who will be starting this week. The Texans play the Indianapolis Colts, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing TEs.  I'd expect that one of them will have a modest game this week around 10 PPR points.  If you're in a deep league with few TE options out there, I’d consider trying the starting TE for Houston.

Recommendation: Waiver pickup in 14+ team leagues

Honorable Mentions

Charles Clay (MIA), Scott Chandler (BUF), Mychal Rivera (OAK), Jace Amaro (NYJ)

 

Tight Ends (TE) for Shallower Leagues

Travis Kelce (KC), Jordan Reed (WAS), Heath Miller (PIT), Dwayne Allen (IND), Jordan Cameron (CLE), Owen Daniels (BAL)

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