There will be a lot of familiar tight ends missing this week. Fantasy football owners will be without Jimmy Graham, Jared Cook, Vance McDonald and Jesse James for Week 7 due to four teams being in bye, so waiver wires will be seriously scoured in leagues for available tight ends.
The problem is that there are no Gronkowskis or Kelces out there ready to save fantasy owners’ seasons. One-week stopgaps or long-term longshots will have to suffice.
Without further adieu, here are the best tight ends to pick up heading into Week 7. Good luck RotoBallers!
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TE Waiver Wire Options for Week 7
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals – 22% owned
I was wrong in thinking that Tyler Kroft was going to overtake Uzomah as Cincinnati’s top tight end in the aftermath of Tyler Eifert’s season-ending injury. Silly me not knowing Kroft would break his foot and Uzomah would put blocking on the back burner to try and become a decent pass catcher! Uzomah has now become Andy Dalton’s third-favorite target in Cincy’s pass offense behind A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd.
The problems with Kansas City’s pass defense have been well-documented. The Chiefs are not allowing over 340 passing yards per game because they have lockdown corners and stout safeties. Uzomah should be good for seven catches for 75 yards and a touchdown this week and should be a viable option from here on out.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Arizona Cardinals – 34% owned
Seals-Jones has been a mild disappointment this season as his 15 receptions for 192 yards and a touchdown have done no fantasy favors for those who own him. The good news is that in his three of his past four contests he has either broken the 50-yard barrier or scored a touchdown. This could be foreshadowing of bigger and better things to come.
Arizona plays Denver on Thursday night, and while the Broncos defense has been roasted by running backs (Todd Gurley and Isaiah Crowell) the past two weeks, their pass defense is on the spotty side as well. Seals-Jones is Arizona’s third-best option in the passing game behind Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk and should be able to post some solid fantasy points as long as rookie quarterback Josh Rosen puts the ball in his hands and not at his feet.
Vernon Davis, Washington Redskins – 15% owned
I love old folks. I love my stepgrandmother. She is 92 years young and does not look a day over 70, and she has more sense and vigor than many of my much-younger friends. Maybe this is why I have an affinity for Davis, who is only 34 years old but seems like he has been around since the Reagan years.
It is not often that the second-best tight end on an NFL team can be a useful fantasy asset, but Davis remains one of the better available tight ends in many fantasy leagues these days. He is on a team with a below-average set of wide receivers and the most injury-prone tight end in the sport, so he is always a threat to make plays even with his best days behind him. Pick up Davis for a one-week stint or if you need TE help in a deeper league.
Other Tight End Options
Jeff Heuerman, Denver Broncos – 6% owned
Denver’s pass offense still revolves around its receivers, but Heuerman has been targeted 17 times over the past three games in the wake of Jake Butt’s torn ACL. Heuerman has a big body that can be valuable in the red zone when used properly, so taking him as a speculative pick if you are desperate for tight end help is not the worst idea.
Nick O'Leary, Miami Dolphins – 0% owned
Ryan Tannehill is no Dan Marino, but Brock Osweiler might be the second coming after torching the Chicago Bears for 380 yards and three touchdown tosses. O’Leary caught four passes for 49 yards and a score in his first game with the Dolphins after being waived by Buffalo. Mike Gesicki is Miami’s long-term tight end, but O’ Leary might be the more productive TE on the team in the short term after this performance.
More Waiver Wire Adds and Pickups
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