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 16 Tight End Waiver Wire Picks and Streamers

Tight end waiver wire pickups and streamers for Week 16 of the fantasy football season. Craig Rondinone recommends TE free agents to consider adding off waivers.

It all comes down to this week in most fantasy football leagues, and if your league allows you to make waiver picks during Super Bowl week and you need a tight end, please look below!

Congrats if you are in your league’s fantasy finals! I am assuming you did not have David Johnson, Alvin Kamara, Cam Newton, Marcus Mariota, or Sammy Watkins playing pivotal roles on your squad. While the majority of playoff teams in fantasy leagues probably got some decent numbers from their tight ends, many squads might have been carried by their quarterbacks, running backs and receivers. The bottom line (sorry to sound like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin) is if you need a tight end upgrade for your fantasy title tilt, there might be a player below that could help you out. And if you are looking for the perfect streamer for your DFS contest, the someone in the same crop could help you win a couple bucks.

Without further ado, here are my tight end waiver wire picks for Week 16!

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 16

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams – 45% owned

The Gerald Everett Era was a short, sweet four-week run. But now that Everett’s injury has opened the door for Higbee to barrel through and become a surprising star in the fantasy world, fantasy footballers cannot believe how worthless he was for the first three and a half seasons of his career.

Higbee has racked up three straight 100-yard games the past three weeks in what has been the most impressive three-game stretch any tight end has had this season in the NFL (26 receptions, 33 targets, 334 yards and one TD). Higbee has to find cracks in San Francisco’s pass defense, which looked impenetrable until Julio Jones lit up the 49ers this past Sunday. I could see Higbee having to settle for six catches for 75 yards this week, but should still work wonders for fantasy players in a pinch for a tight end this week.

Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans – 20% owned

It is obvious that Adam Gase is not the offensive mastermind the New York Jets thought he was when they gave him their head coaching position this year. Gase had Ryan Tannehill under his wing for two seasons in Miami and all the former first-rounder did was throw interceptions and get injured. Now Tannehill has thrust Tennessee into the thick of the AFC playoff race and has elevated the play of his skilled-position players, which is something he never did with the Dolphins.

Smith showed his speed and playmaking ability with the amazing 57-yard run he has against Houston this past weekend, which was the longest run for a tight end in over 40 years. Smith added five receptions for 60 yards and will next be up against New Orleans’ slumping secondary, which had allowed three of the last four quarterbacks it faced to throw for 300 yards heading into its Monday night matchup with Indianapolis. Unlike other tight ends at the top of this column, Smith should be available in most leagues and is deserving of a chance in a fantasy championship contest.

 

Other Options to Consider

Noah Fant, Denver Broncos – 44% owned

This super-athletic pass catcher is now on the same page with quarterback Drew Lock and making big-chunk plays downfield (six catches for 169 yards and two TD in past two games). Now the promising rookie plays a Detroit defense that was 30th against the pass coming into its game against Tampa Bay this past weekend and then proceeded to allow Jameis Winston to throw for 458 yards. Fant is a top streaming option and a top pickup candidate in standard leagues.

Jacob Hollister, Seattle Seahawks – 40% owned

Hollister’s recent numbers do not matter. What matters is he is facing the worst defense in the NFL when it comes to covering tight ends, the Arizona Cardinals. How bad are the Cardinals? They just allowed Ricky Seals-Jones to catch two touchdown passes against then. Yes, the same Ricky Seals-Jones who has been a fantasy flop for three seasons now! Hollister may have a career day against the Cards.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins – 39% owned

I am not sure if fantasy players should be happy that Gesicki managed four receptions for 47 yards against the New York Giants this past Sunday or disappointed he could not provide more against their Janoris Jenkins-less secondary. He has averaged 40 yards per game over the past month, however, and scored twice in his last four contests. Gesicki also has a favorable matchup against Cincinnati, so he must be considered as a pickup choice if the top five tight ends in this column are not on your waiver wire.

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 21% owned

Mike Evans’ season-ending hamstring injury may have hamstrung Tampa Bay’s passing attack and offense, but it is helping, not harming, Brate’s fantasy worth. Brate has 11 targets over the Buccaneers’ past two contests and should do all right against a Houston defense that has allowed tight ends in back-to-back weeks to have 100 combined yards against it.

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati Bengals – 25% owned

At this point of their careers, Andy Dalton is a better quarterback than Ryan Finley. That is why it is better for Eifert’s fantasy value that Dalton has returned as Cincinnati’s starting signal caller. Eifert is coming off back-to-back 40-plus-yard outings, is slated to face Miami’s below-average coverage crop and is being targeted more while Bengals receivers struggle to get open.

 

Don’t Forget About…

Hayden Hurst, Baltimore Ravens – 16% owned

It had to be disappointing for Hurst hopers to see Mark Andrews return for Baltimore’s Thursday night whipping of the New York Jets after being hurt four days prior. This was just another roadblock for Hurst’s fantasy value. You never know what could happen in the volatile NFL. Might Baltimore move on from their 2018 first-round pick since the Ravens are stacked at tight end so they can upgrade another position? All I’m saying is it is too quick to pencil Hurst in as Andrews’ backup next year, so do not forget about him this offseason if you are in a dynasty league.

Matt LaCosse, New England Patriots – 3% owned

Tom Brady and the Patriots have missed Rob Gronkowski as badly as my wife misses me on an NFL Sunday. LaCosse is on a very modest two-game target streak where he has been aimed at seven times by Brady. I would guess that LaCosse will be hard-pressed to reach the 30-yard mark against Buffalo’s staunch secondary this week, but in some leagues he might be the only option available.

Josh Oliver, Jacksonville Jaguars – 9% owned

Jacksonville’s third-round pick this past April saw his season end almost as quickly as it started when he suffered a season-ending back injury. While his small sample size of stats (three receptions for 15 yards in four games) is not exactly awe-inspiring, Oliver has a decent chance of starting the 2020 campaign as Jacksonville’s No. 1 tight end, so picking him on the cheap in dynasty leagues may work depending on how your league’s rules are.

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

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
Demarcus Robinson

Sentenced to Three Years of Probation
Jalen Nailor

In Line for WR3 Role in Minnesota
Andrew Thomas

Could Miss Start of 2025 Season
Alex Bregman

Expected to Return on Friday
Julio Rodríguez

Julio Rodriguez Won't Suit Up for Midsummer Classic
Trey Smith

Chiefs, Trey Smith Expected to Work Out Long-Term Extension
Bernhard Raimann

a Candidate for an Extension This Summer
C.J. Stroud

Could Sign Multi-Year Deal Before 2026 Season
Kyle Juszczyk

Says Christian McCaffrey Looks Healthy, Explosive
Kyren Williams

Showing Improved Explosiveness
Christian Barmore

"Dominant" this Spring
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
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?
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
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
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
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
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
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
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