With four teams on BYE for the first time this season, and with quality fantasy tight ends like Carolina’s Greg Olsen and Miami’s Jordan Cameron getting the upcoming week off, fantasy football owners will be scouring the waiver wire for one-week help.

The tight ends on BYE will not be the only ones not playing this week.  Washington’s Jordan Reed suffered his third concussion in three years yesterday, so his status for this weekend is in serious doubt.  Jacksonville’s Julius Thomas has yet to make his season debut as he is still recovering from hand surgery, so it is unknown if he will be ready for Week 5 or if he will need additional time.

So here are three tight ends available on many, if not most, fantasy free-agent lists and waiver wires that could be stopgaps this week for your fantasy squad.

Week 5 Waiver Wire - Tight Ends (TE)

Coby Fleener (TE, IND) - 63 % Owned

Who would have guessed that Matt Hasselbeck could be better for a tight end’s fantasy value than Andrew Luck?  It seems to be the case for Fleener, even though he and Luck have been teammates for years between their times together at Stanford and Indianapolis.

After managing just five receptions for 56 yards and failing to catch a touchdown toss in Indianapolis’ opening three games with Luck running the offense, Fleener busted out for nine catches for 83 yards and a score with Hasselbeck at the helm this past Sunday.

Fleener has been one of the more inconsistent tight ends in fantasy football during his four-year pro career.  He has had games where he looks like he is a top-5 tight end, and he has had games where he has disappeared like Casper the Friendly Ghost.  This is why such a talented tight end like himself is still available in 37 percent of leagues.

Whether Luck or Hasselbeck is at quarterback this Thursday night against the Houston Texans is probably irrelevant.  Fleener has likely earned more targets and more scoring chances with his performance against Jacksonville.   Houston’s pass defense has not been as porous as its run defense, but the Texans have allowed seven passing touchdowns so far this year.  Fleener is a top tight end choice if he is still unclaimed in your fantasy league.

Larry Donnell (TE, NYG) - 36% Owned

The New York Giants tight end has not been fantasy force he was in 2014 when he came out of oblivion to rack up 63 receptions for 623 yards and six touchdowns.  This season has been an entirely different story, with Donnell mustering just 15 receptions for 119 yards and one TD during the first month.

Eli Manning started getting reacquainted with Donnell in New York’s last game, though, as the humongous tight end was targeted seven times and snagged five passes for 38 yards.  Although not overly impressive numbers, those were all season-highs for Donnell.  And compared to other tight ends available on fantasy waiver wires these days, you could do much, much worse, like this guy.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s emergence has definitely stunted Donnell’s fantasy worth.  Donnell is no longer Manning’s top target in the red zone and is lucky to get a half-dozen looks per contest.  But things could change this week for Donnell thanks to the defense he will be running routes against.

Donnell will be up against a San Francisco 49ers unit that has given up two touchdowns to tight ends and was burned for 90 points in its first two road games.  Look for the Giants to have ample opportunities down by the end zone and for Donnell to have a couple passes thrown in his direction once they get into scoring range.

Clay Harbor (TE, JAX) - 2% Owned

Jacksonville’s offense is not being confused with Mike Martz’s “Greatest Show on Turf” teams these days, but the Jags’ young kids are beginning to show signs that they are headed in the right direction.  And while defenses focus the bulk of their attention on running back T.J. Yeldon and wide receivers Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson, a little-known and little-owned backup tight end is making minor waves.

After going catchless in Jacksonville’s first two games, Harbor has made himself visible by hauling in seven passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in the past two games.  The former fourth-rounder has shown that for a hulk of a man (6’3”, 250 lbs) he can get down the seams and down the field.

Harbor’s Jaguars are facing a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that is allowing close to 30 points per game but that has kept opposing tight ends in check over the last three weeks.  Harbor might not be a sexy choice, and his window is limited to this week because the aforementioned Thomas should return soon, but there is a decent chance Blake Bortles finds him five times for 50 yards next week, and maybe once for a touchdown.

NFL& Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-12" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]