Entering Week 13, let’s take a look at the top tight ends to target on the waiver wire in your fantasy football league. All players listed below are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and/or Sleeper leagues.
Note that I have eliminated FAAB recommendations this year, as there are too many variables to account for. Instead, I replaced them with my opinion on how aggressive fantasy managers should be in pursuing the player on a scale of 1-10.
Looking for other positions? Check out our Week 13 Waiver Wire article, which covers a plethora of players from all positions.
Noah Gray, TE | KC
Rostered: 4%
I feel obligated to include Noah Gray after his second consecutive game with two touchdowns. Fantasy managers are definitely going to see the point totals and considering adding him. If you’re truly desperate, there’s clearly touchdown upside playing with Patrick Mahomes. However, I cannot endorse this.
Gray’s production is completely random and unpredictable. You could get a touchdown. You could get zero.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Will Dissly, TE | LAC
Rostered: 51%
At this point in the season, most tight-end waiver-wire recommendations are purely streamers, and desperate ones at that. How is Will Dissly still this widely available?
Since Week 7, Dissly has taken over as the Chargers’ primary tight end. He’s had four games with at least 8.0 fantasy points, which is at least serviceable. He’s had two games with 16+ fantasy points, which is tantamount to WR1 numbers.
Beginning last week and continuing Monday night against the Ravens, Dissly has one of the most favorable schedules for tight ends over the remainder of the season. The Chargers don’t have an opponent until Week 17 where they will likely be able to run the ball all game. Dissly should continue to thrive.
Aggressiveness Rating: 8.0
Hunter Henry, TE | NE
Rostered: 47%
Hunter Henry caught a solid five passes for 44 yards against the Dolphins. That’s really how I’d describe Henry all season — solid.
The Patriots’ TE1 has now seen at least eight targets in three of his last four games. He’s scored at least 9.4 fantasy points in six of his last seven.
Next week’s opponent, the Colts, entered Week 12 as the sixth-easiest defense for tight ends. Henry is on the streaming radar for Week 13.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Zach Ertz, TE | WAS
Rostered: 48%
Old man Zach Ertz just keeps on chugging along. With six receptions for 38 yards and his second touchdown in as many weeks, Ertz posted his second-highest fantasy point total of the season in Week 12. Ertz now has 14+ fantasy points in four of his last six.
Daniels hits Ertz to bring Washington within 3 after the successful 2-pt conversion.
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/pUuHhk6GAX— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
It is worth noting he’s on bye in Week 14. But Ertz has been a high-floor TE1 most of the season. At this point, he should be more heavily rostered.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Cole Kmet, TE | CHI
Rostered: 47%
It always feels bad to put a guy on the waiver wire list that was just on the cut list. In the case of the Bears, it has to do with a change in circumstances. With OC Shane Waldron gone, the Bears have done away with using Gerald Everett in a timeshare with Cole Kmet. The long-time Bear is now the clear TE1.
Against the Vikings, Kmet saw 10 targets, catching seven for 64 yards. That type of usage is something we want to chase at the tight end position. Kmet is worth picking up to see if this role will continue.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0