Week 2 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds

September 11, 2018

Tight ends to add or target off the waiver wire for Week 2 of the 2018 fantasy football season. Craig Rondinone lists the TE pickups you should be looking to add to your roster.

Week 1 was not a memorable opening week for NFL tight ends.

While New England’s Rob Gronkowski got off to a great start (123 yards and a TD), other top tight ends were not as fortunate. Greg Olsen, Delanie Walker and David Njoku suffered injuries, Zach Ertz dropped passes like he was Amari Cooper, while Evan Engram and Jimmy Graham combined for four catches for 26 yards.

So if you are in the market for a new tight end for your fantasy team, here is a look at a handful that could helpful entering the second week of the season. When you're done here, don't forget to check out our waiver wire recommendations at running back or wide receiver.

Week 2 TE Waiver Wire Pickups 

Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks - 1% owned

There were probably as many fantasy owners who had Dissly on a roster this week as there were people shoveling snow in Hawaii this weekend. Dissly moved up to No. 2 on Seattle’s tight end depth chart after veteran Ed Dickson was injured, but he was still expected to do more blocking than catching in the Seahawks’ opening contest. Instead, Dissley exploded for an improbable 105 yards and a touchdown!

Temper your expectations with Dissly. He is a fourth-round rookie who was not on any radars coming into the season, and he is not known for being fast or having the hands of Antonio Brown. But with Dickson on the shelf for several weeks and Doug Baldwin now out with a sprained knee, Dissly could become a fantasy factor as a larger part of Russell Wilson’s receiving corps.

Eric Ebron, Indianapolis Colts - 34% owned

I told you in my column last week that Ebron was someone to snag on the waiver wire if you needed another TE, and the big man proved me right with four receptions for 51 yards against Cincinnati this past Sunday. Getting a fresh start with a different quarterback in a different offense looks like it will be good for Ebron.

Indy’s other tight end, Jack Doyle, had twice the targets that Ebron had in Week 1 (10 to 5) and should end up with more catches this year, but Ebron is better than Doyle at stretching the field and making big plays. Andrew Luck and the Colts will utilize Ebron’s size and speed to the fullest. Doyle will cut into Ebron’s numbers, but Ebron will still be valuable in 2018.

Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saints - 39% owned

The ageless Watson is back with the team and quarterback that helped him have the best year of his lengthy career in 2015 (74-825-6) and started off decently with four receptions for 44 yards against Tampa Bay. Watson and Drew Brees have a chemistry together that is evident. What makes Watson more intriguing is that the Saints do not have a truckload of pass catchers other than starting wideouts Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn (and all-world RB Alvin Kamara, of course). Until Cameron Meredith proves he is 100 percent and can contribute, Watson will see a fair share of Brees passes. A home game against Cleveland this weekend should turn into solid stats for Watson.

Other Options

Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans - 1% owned

If you are a Delaine Walker owner and reeling from the news that your top tight end is out for the season with a severe ankle injury, Walker’s replacement could be yours. Smith only has 17 career catches, but the 2017 third-round pick has upside due to his above-average speed and will now get a chance to start in Walker’s absence.

Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons - 19% owned

Hooper was held to three receptions for 24 yards by the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles during the opening game of the season, but you could still make the argument that this underachieving tight end could end up being Matt Ryan’s second-favorite passing option (behind Julio Jones) this season due to the lack of receiving depth on the roster. Atlanta has five of its next six games at home, which should also help Hooper.

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