Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Tight Ends (Week 9)

We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top Tight End fantasy football waiver wire targets for the week below. And check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice for Week 9.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Tight End

TIGHT ENDS

Written by Derek Brown

Hunter Henry (NE): 39% rostered

• Next Opponents: @TEN, @CHI, LAR
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Henry’s season has been a series of peaks and valleys, but it finally seems like we’re getting some consistency here. He has at least five targets and 41 receiving yards in each of his last three games. Yes, I know that’s not overtly sexy, but the waterline for TE1 production is low. If you toss in a touchdown with 40 receiving yards, you’re likely close to low-end TE1 production in any week. Henry remains on that TE1 fringe.

Noah Fant (SEA): 30% rostered

• Next Opponents: LAR, BYE, @SF
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Fant didn’t pick up the slack with D.K. Metcalf out for Seattle in Week 8, but against Buffalo, I never expected him to. Buffalo has been stellar at defending tight ends for multiple seasons. Don’t let it get lost in the sauce that Fant has at least four receptions and 63 receiving yards in two of his last three games. With or without Metcalf in Week 9, Fant could be headed for a banner day against a pass defense for the Rams that has allowed the third-most receiving yards and the most fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Taysom Hill (NO): 30% rostered

• Next Opponents: @CAR, ATL, CLE
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The New Orleans Swiss Army knife returned to the huddle in Week 9 after dealing with fractured ribs that sidelined him for a few games. Hill’s entire skill set was on full display in Week 9. He played 40% of the snaps with a 9.5% target share (two receptions and 21 receiving yards). He also logged four carries with 20 rushing yards and completed his only pass for three yards. This week against Carolina, it’s not hard to imagine Hill putting on a show against one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL.

Zach Ertz (WAS): 28% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NYG, PIT, @PHI
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $4
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Ertz is the TE13 in fantasy points per game and is coming off arguably his best game of the season. He commanded a 28.9% target share against the Bears while rolling up a season-high seven grabs and 77 receiving yards. He has been a steadying presence for Jayden Daniels and hovers around TE1 status weekly. There’s no reason Ertz shouldn’t continue to do so for the rest of the season.

Mike Gesicki (CIN): 8% rostered

• Next Opponents: LV, @BAL, @LAC
• True value: $1
• Desperate Need: $2
• Budget-minded: $0

Analysis: Gesicki stepped up with Bengals WR Tee Higgins out in Week 8. The veteran tight end played only 53% of the snaps, but he had a 21.6% target share, seven grabs, and a team-leading 73 receiving yards. Gesicki is a player I’ll likely try to scoop up for free after waivers run. Plenty of fantasy GMs have been burned by him this season, and his usage is tied to the possibility of Higgins missing Week 9. If Higgins is playing or trending in that direction, Gesicki likely heads back to obscurity.