Tight end is typically frustrating for fantasy football managers. However, this season, it has been even worse than usual.
Reliable, every-week starters at the position are scarce, and there’s a long list of TEs who have disappointed (Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, Mark Andrews, etc.). As always, let’s examine several tight-end streaming options that you should target in Week 13.
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers (at ATL) | 52% Rostered
When you add a streamer, you’re typically just looking for a week or two of starting-level production until your starter is back from their bye week or an injury. However, the best-case scenario is your streamer becomes an every-week starter, as we saw with past recommendations like Cade Otton and Tucker Kraft earlier this season.
Dissly might have that potential, as he’s playing well, earning targets, and he has a terrific upcoming schedule.
The Chargers have a very condensed passing attack, with Justin Herbert mainly throwing to Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Dissly. Over the last five weeks, Dissly has been targeted 33 times (seventh-most among tight ends) and caught 24 passes (eighth-most). Over that span, he is the TE11, averaging 10.8 PPR fantasy points per game.
Herbert is clearly getting more comfortable in the Chargers’ system, and they are allowing him to pass significantly more. Over the first four weeks of this season, Herbert averaged 22.7 pass attempts per game. Over the last six games, he’s averaging 31. Herbert and Dissly seem to be developing a strong connection, and he could have some monster performances over the next few weeks.
While this week’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons is solid, it’s the next two weeks that are really juicy. In Week 14, Dissly faces the Kansas City Chiefs, who are allowing tight ends to average 6.5 receptions per game (worst in the NFL), 74.3 receiving yards per game (worst in the NFL), and 8.8 fantasy points per game (tied for fourth-worst in the NFL).
Then, in Week 15, Dissly faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Against TEs specifically, the Bucs are giving up 5.8 receptions per game (fourth-worst in the NFL), 68.4 receiving yards per game (second-worst in the NFL), and 8.8 fantasy points per game (tied for fourth-worst in the NFL).
With his involvement and upcoming opponents, Dissly could potentially swing some matchups during the fantasy football playoffs.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. TEN) | 48% Rostered
This season, Ertz has been targeted 69 times (fifth-most among tight ends), catching 49 passes (fifth-most) for 466 yards (ninth-most) and three touchdowns.
Ertz has now cleared fantasy expectations in nine of 12 games this season, and he has caught at least four passes in six of his past seven games.
It’s clear that Jayden Daniels and Ertz have excellent chemistry, with the veteran tight end emerging as the rookie quarterback’s security blanket.
The Commanders don’t have a reliable WR2, so Ertz has emerged as the second option in this passing attack behind Terry McLaurin. Ertz currently ranks second on the team in targets (69), receptions (49), receiving yards (466), and touchdowns (three).
Believe it or not, McLaurin only has four more receptions and five more targets than Ertz this season.
Given their lack of wide receiver talent, Washington is moving Ertz into the slot at times, which is excellent for his fantasy production (as he has an 80.6% catch rate in the slot this season compared to 60% otherwise).
If his slot rate continues to increase, Ertz will graduate from streamer to every-week starter.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (vs. IND) | 48% Rostered
We’ve featured Hunter Henry in this column several times throughout the season, and we’ll continue to do so as long as he’s producing.
Among all tight ends this season, Henry has the third-most targets (74), third-most receptions (51), and fifth-most yards (535). He’s the TE13 on the season, averaging 9.2 PPR points per game, and the only reason he’s not higher is because he has just one touchdown this year.
Drake Maye taking over as the New England Patriots’ starting quarterback was the best thing that could have happened to Henry. Maye is constantly targeting the veteran tight end; Henry has at least five catches in five of his past six games.
New England’s wide receivers have left a lot to be desired this season, so it’s no surprise that Henry is currently leading the Patriots in targets (74), receptions (51), and receiving yards (535).
Like Ertz, Henry is being used in the slot quite a bit (32.9% of snaps) and even lining up as an outside receiver at times, which bodes well for his fantasy production.
The Indianapolis Colts are allowing the fourth-most receptions (5.8) and fourth-most touchdowns per game (.55) to tight ends. As a result, TEs are scoring 8.2 fantasy points per game against Indy, which is the eighth-most in the NFL.
This is a great matchup for Henry, whose role as the No. 1 weapon in the Patriots’ passing attack gives him a solid floor most weeks.