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Welcome to Week 13 of the fantasy football season, and my weekly article taking a look at the top tight end waiver wire pickups that may be available in your leagues. The good news outweighs the bad this week at the tight end position.
The bad news is that another four NFL teams are on bye this week. The good news, however, is none of fantasy football’s top-10 tight ends are on those teams, so fantasy managers should not be affected much at that position. This might not be that unlucky of a Week 13 for fantasy managers after all!
Here are the best available tight end options on fantasy waiver wires heading into Week 13!
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Top Tight Ends to Pickup - Week 13 Waiver Wire
Evan Engram, New York Giants — 34% rostered
A new offensive coordinator did not do much to change Engram’s role or the fate of the Giants offense this past Sunday, but Engram has been steady if not spectacular over this last five games (17-146-2). The Giants have not been able to have their top four wideouts healthy at the same time all season, so Engram’s place in the passing attack is safe. If quarterback Daniel Jones can hit the broad side of a barn this week against Miami’s substandard secondary, Engram could give fantasy managers 50 yards and a TD.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears — 25% rostered
Kmet was no turkey on Thanksgiving as he turned in his best performance of the season with eight receptions (on 11 targets) for 65 yards. It would be nice if he could find the end zone one of these week, though. Kmet’s target rates have gone up in recent games thanks to Chicago’s passing plans and the injury to top target Allen Robinson. He has a tough matchup against Arizona but is still one of the better available tight ends on waiver wires this week.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts — 1% rostered
Doyle and tight end teammate Mo Alie-Cox have gone through a recent role reversal as now Doyle has become the primary pass catcher at the position after being the blocker and/or safety valve for much of the campaign. Doyle shattered his season-highs in every major category after posting his 6-81-1 line against the World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday. He should be an OK play this weekend when Indy plays at Houston. The Texans have one of the worst defenses in the league and just let the New York Jets walk into their house and come away with a win.
Others Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings — 33% rostered
I am not sure what there is left for me to say about Conklin since I think he has appeared in my last 10 columns. The bottom line is he will not destroy your fantasy chances each week because he is at least good for two catches for 25 yards. Conklin also has one of the best matchups for a waiver wire tight end this week because he faces winless, hapless, hopeless Detroit.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team — 62% rostered
Thomas might finally get activated for tonight’s game against Seattle after missing the last half-dozen games due to his annoying hamstring injury. He might be on a pitch count since it is his first game back, but if he shows anything than he would be a perfect pickup for the crucial home stretch if he is available in your fantasy league.
Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers — 48% rostered
Cook is touch-and-go each week because you never know how the tight end targets will be split between him and young teammate Donald Parham Jr. Cook seems to be the hotter hand right now, however, and has an excellent matchup against a Cincinnati defense that is 25th against the pass and has allowed touchdown to tight ends in four consecutive contests.
Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks — 27% rostered
Everett has accounted for 11 receptions for 100 yards in the two-game span heading into his Monday matchup against Washington. He should be able to keep the solid stats coming against that subpar secondary and then should be a decent play this week versus San Francisco’s disappointing defense.
C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals — 22% rostered
Uzomah’s boom-or-bust season continued this past week, although the busts have been more prevalent than the booms lately. He only had 9 yards in a game where Cincinnati scored 41 points, and he has gone four weeks now without a touchdown or a 35-yard game. Uzomah still has two games this season where he had 90-plus yards and two touchdowns, though, so you still have to consider him when making a waiver wire pick.
Do Not Forget About…
Nick Vannett, New Orleans Saints — 0% rostered
Vannett turned his lone target into a Turkey Day touchdown in his first go-round as New Orleans’ top tight end in the wake of Adam Trautman’s knee injury. Converted wideout Juwan Johnson will probably end up getting the more targets of the two, but Vannett should see more snaps due his blocking ability. He should get a look as a low-priced DFS play this Thursday when New Orleans hosts Dallas.
Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders — 0% rostered
Darren Waller’s knee injury opens the opportunity for understudy Moreau to put up some fantasy points this upcoming week against a Washington pass defense ranked 30th in the NFL. Moreau has done well in spots when given the chance and has a unique nose for the end zone. Out of his 40 career receptions, 10 have gone for touchdowns.
Josiah Deguara, Green Bay Packers — 0% rostered
Deguara’s on bye and has caught just two passes in each of his last five outings, so the thought he would become another touchdown machine like the injured Robert Tonyan is starting to wane. He is only worth a pickup in a deep league if you are desperate for a tight end and you like his upcoming schedule, which includes Baltimore and Minnesota’s below-average pass defenses on it.
James O’ Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars — 0% rostered
Jaguars top tight end Dan Arnold suffered a knee injury against Atlanta, which allowed the returning O’ Shaughnessy to step in and catch three passes for 29 yards. If Arnold misses a couple games, O’ Shaughnessy is a sneaky play because Jacksonville is shorter on pass catchers than a fast food restaurant is on vegan options.
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