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2021’s first soap-opera storyline at the tight end position has forced fantasy footballers to scramble like Jalen Hurts. Rob Gronkowski’s ribs have caused a lot of pain for fantasy managers who have been left searching frantically for a replacement.
For those fantasy players who did not have the foresight to have a suitable backup on their roster for the most injury-prone tight end in the league, shame on you – but have no fear, this column is for you! I'm here to help you identify which tight ends are performing well, and their fantasy values are rising, whether it's for a one-week fill-in or a longer-term fix.
Here are the best available options on fantasy waiver wires at tight end heading into Week 5!
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Tight End Waiver Wire Options
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills – 46% rostered
I am going to keep putting Knox’s name in this column until at least half of the fantasy football managers out there pick this guy up! Buffalo’s top tight end has become Josh Allen’s top target inside the red zone, scoring four touchdowns over his past three games. This now gives Knox six touchdowns over his last six games when you factor in his three playoff appearances at the end of the 2020 campaign.
You have to love that Knox’s next matchup is against the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs, whose pass defense has been utterly horrendous. There is no reason to think Knox cannot muster up 40-50 yards and another trip to the end zone this week. Knox has ingrained himself as Buffalo’s No. 2 target in its passing attack behind Stefon Diggs, and he should average six-to-eight targets per contest from here on out.
Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys – 33% rostered
Schultz has been better recently than George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and several other tight ends that were ranked way ahead of him on cheat sheets when fantasy drafts and auctions were held before the season started. He has hauled in 12 passes for 138 and a trio of touchdowns in Dallas’ past two victories.
Dallas’ offense is firing on all cylinders now that Dak Prescott is back running the offense and Ezekiel Elliott is returning to his 2019 form. With defenses having to account for so many superb skilled position players, Schultz sneaks out and finds seems inside the red zone and in the back of the end zone. That should continue as Schultz and his Cowboys face teams with losing records in each of their next three games.
Others to Consider
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals – 2% rostered
Uzomah is no longer a blocking tight end. He has rounded into an underrated player who can do it all when given the chance. I know the Jacksonville defense he carved up this past Thursday is one of the worst in the NFL, but the numbers do not lie in fantasy football. Uzomah racked up 95 yards and two touchdowns and more importantly, is cementing himself as a weapon Joe Burrow can trust.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots – 42% rostered
We all knew Henry and Jonnu Smith were going to cancel out a lot of each other’s fantasy value this season. Henry is turning a slight corner, though. He has broken the 30-yard barrier in all four of his games, scored his first touchdown of the season this past Sunday night, and should only be better as the season progresses as QB Mac Jones improves.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles – 26% rostered
Fantasy managers gave up on Ertz as Dallas Goedert has established himself as Philly’s top cheese steak at tight end, but it might be time to give him a second fantasy chance. Ertz has 10 receptions for 113 yards and a TD in his last two games and has a date with a Carolina defense that just allowed two tight end touchdowns to Dallas this past weekend.
Maxx Williams, Arizona Cardinals – 1% rostered
With 15 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown over his last three games, Williams is in the midst of the hottest stretch of his career and should easily top his personal bests in most major categories within a few weeks at this rate. Even though Kyler Murray spreads the ball around as much as Nick Cannon spreads his seed around, Williams continues to put up decent fantasy points.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 18% rostered
Brate will undoubtedly be Tampa Bay’s pass-catching tight end while Rob Gronkowski nurses his injured ribs. Need proof? Brate has out-targeted O.J. Howard 11 to 2 the past two games while Gronk has been sidelined.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings – 13% rostered
Christopher Herndon remains as invisible as Wonder Woman’s plane. Meanwhile, Conklin has averaged four receptions and five-and-a-half targets per game over the opening month of the season. Conklin has an enviable matchup next against the hapless and hopeless Detroit Lions this upcoming week.
Evan Engram, New York Giants – 34% rostered
The Giants have more banged-up receivers than a demolition derby has banged-up cars. That should mean good juju for Engram, but his seven catches for 48 yards the past two weeks have not made him look like a Mark Bavaro clone. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones seems to favor throwing to his No. 4 and No. 5 receivers than he does his No. 1 tight end, but that could change in the coming weeks.
Dan Arnold, Jacksonville Jaguars – 3% rostered
Arnold did not need much time to learn Urban Meyer’s playbook after being acquired from the Carolina Panthers. He was second among Jacksonville pass catches with 29 yards in the Jaguars’ Thursday night loss. With No. 1 WR D.J. Chark sidelined with a broken ankle, targets and red zone opportunities will open up for the Jags’ new top tight end over the course of the season.
Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts – 1% rostered
Alie-Cox came out of hiding this past weekend to catch two touchdown tosses from a limping Carson Wentz. You never know from week to week which Indy tight end will do better between Alie-Cox and Jack Doyle, but if the latter gets hurt, then Alie-Cox would be very valuable on the fantasy front.
Juwon Johnson, New Orleans Saints – 13% rostered
Johnson has three touchdowns in four games, but it is hard to take him too seriously until he posts a 30-yard game or a four-catch effort. He is currently a touchdown-dependent pickup for the desperate fantasy GM in a deep league whose waiver wire is barren at TE.
Do Not Forget About…
Anthony Firkser, Tennessee Titans – 8% rostered
While tight ends with three career touchdowns in 45 games are not normally sought-after in fantasy leagues, Firkser could be different due to the hamstring injuries to Titans wideouts Julio Jones and A.J. Brown. Firkser will get additional targets and touches inside the red zone as long as that awesome twosome is out of action.
Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys – 9% rostered
Dallas’ other tight end reached the end zone himself against Carolina and is one Schultz sprained ankle away from being a fantasy force considering how often Dak Prescott likes looking for his tight ends even though he has an above-average receiving corps.
Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers – 2% rostered
Now that the aforementioned Arnold has been traded away, the door has swung wide open for Carolina’s third-round pick from this April to step in and step up. Not many tight ends can boast that they have rushed for a touchdown this year like Tremble can. The Notre Dame product should not worry about Ian Thomas taking his targets and job, either.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team – 0% rostered
2021 has been the Year of the Hamstring, and Logan Thomas is the latest to suffer an injury to that body part. Seals-Jones, who has frustrated fantasy managers as much as inaccurate stat services over the years, would be Washington’s No. 1 TE if Thomas misses time.
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