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If you already had your fantasy football draft, you might already be in trouble at the tight end position.
That is because Minnesota’s Irv Smith Jr., who was burning up the cheat sheet charts in the offseason after longtime veteran Kyle Rudolph took his talents to the New York Giants, is now going to miss most of the season thanks to a torn meniscus in his knee. Evan Engram is also looking doubtful for Week 1 and beyond.
If you had Smith Jr. penciled in as your fantasy team’s top tight end, hopefully you drafted a decent No. 2. But even if you did, you are going to need to add another tight end to provide depth and flexibility later in the season. Here are some tight ends probably still available on your league’s waiver wire that could help!
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Tight End Waiver Pick Week 1
Chris Herndon, Minnesota Vikings
One of the best ways to replace your injured player in a fantasy league is to go the same route his NFL team is. Minnesota decided that Tyler Conklin was not going to turn into the next George Kittle and become a 10-touchdown tight end, so the Vikings traded for Herndon after Smith was injured.
Herndon was second behind only Baltimore’s Mark Andrews in receiving yards for rookie tight ends in 2018. Then things went downhill quicker than Lindsay Vonn in her prime. Herndon’s 2019 season was ruined by a drug suspension and injuries, and his 2020 was worthless to fantasy managers (31-287-3) as he was phased out of the New York Jets offense and stuck in Adam Gase’s doghouse.
Herndon will need time to learn Minnesota’s playbook, so do not expect much from him for the first game or two. Conklin will keep the tight end seat warm for him until he is up to speed. Hopefully, a change in scenery brings new life to Herndon’s fantasy value. Playing in an offense with Kirk Cousins as the QB and wideouts Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen opening up secondary space is surely better for Herndon’s fantasy value than playing with the supporting cast he had with the Jets.
Dan Arnold, Carolina Panthers
Arnold shows about as much fantasy promise as your average punter during the first couple years of his career, but Kliff Kingsbury figured out a way to make him useful in Arizona last season. He set career-highs across the board with a final stat line of 31-438-4 and turned out to be a great low-risk get on waiver wires during the season. Arnold parlayed his sudden success into a two-year contract with the TE-starved Panthers during the offseason.
Ian Thomas flopped as Carolina’s No. 1 tight end last season, hence why Arnold was gifted his generous contract. Arnold’s Week 1 matchup is juicy as he faces a New York Jets defense that is reeling after losing a couple of starters due to injuries during the preseason. Former Jet Sam Darnold will be seeking revenge on his old team as well. Arnold is an OK play for Week 1 and during selected spots throughout the season.
Tyler Kroft, New York Jets
Kroft signed with the Jets for a bargain-basement price during the offseason and was looking like the No. 3 tight end on the roster --- at best --- coming into the preseason. But in a matter of weeks now, the dominos have tumbled into Kroft’s favor and he now appears to be Zach Wilson’s top tight end at the onset of the season.
Kroft only has plodding veteran Ryan Griffin and little-used Trevon Wesco as his competition, so his biggest obstacle will probably be his own body (22 games missed over the last three seasons). He did catch two touchdown tosses from Wilson in a preseason contest, so do not be surprised if he becomes a touchdown-dependent tight end who delivers scores on a semi-regular basis. Kroft did score seven touchdowns back in 2017, so he knows how to find the end zone.
Others to Consider
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals
Uzomah has always been known more for his blocking prowess than his pass-catching abilities and is coming off a torn Achilles, yet he had eight receptions for 87 yards and a score in his two games as Joe Burrow’s top tight end last season. Backup Drew Sample showed little when he replaced Uzomah, so do not be shocked to see Uzomah with a 50-525-6 line at year’s end.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings
Conklin does not look like a Travis Kelce clone by any means and the aforementioned Herndon might pass him on the depth chart in a matter of weeks, but he can be an emergency stopgap for Smith Jr. managers who are in a pinch. Conklin posted a 15-168-1 line over a four-game stretch at the end of last season --- and that was while playing alongside Smith Jr.
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