Finding valuable players on the waiver wire can be a game-changer for your season. This week, several tight ends are emerging as must-add players due to their increased involvement in their respective offenses.
These athletes are seeing a high volume of targets and have the potential to become weekly starters. Securing one of these players could be the key to winning your fantasy football league.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (at SEA)
Juwan Johnson might be the Daniel Jones of tight ends this season. Despite catching eight of 11 targets for 76 yards in Week 1, the New Orleans Saints star is still available in most leagues.
His 49 receiving yards and a touchdown in Week 2 should end that, though, and you likely won’t be the only one bidding for his services in your league. Johnson has 20 targets through two weeks, 13 catches, 125 receiving yards, and a touchdown.
Juwan Johnson:
Week 1 – 15.6 points (TE1)
Week 2 – 10.9 points and countingpic.twitter.com/0qaDUrxHEW— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 14, 2025
Those 20 targets lead all tight ends, and tie Puka Nacua and others for the ninth-most among all players in the NFL. The Saints may not be a team you’re desperate to invest in, but that target volume is fantasy gold.
Johnson has long been a peripheral figure in fantasy, but he has always had the potential to break out; 2025 might be the year he finally does.
Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers (at NWE)
If Aaron Rodgers is to have a good day against New England, it’s natural to expect Jonnu Smith to benefit. Smith’s move to the Pittsburgh Steelers has heavily impacted his fantasy value, but he is still getting work and is still an athletic playmaker who can put up big numbers.
Smith’s longest reception of the year so far is just 10 yards, but he has caught nine of his 10 targets and should continue to grow in importance for the Steelers. He currently sits 13th among all tight ends in fantasy this season and should dominate what has proven to be a weak Patriots pass defense.
Week 3 should be Smith’s best week so far, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him continue to improve throughout the year.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers (vs. ATL)
Ja’Tavion Sanders might be the second pass catcher on a high-volume offense, and he is available for free on waivers. Sanders always had the potential to break out in year two, having flashed his receiving ability as a rookie before suffering a scary-looking neck injury.
Ja’Tavion Sanders – TE, Panthers (2% rostered)
Tight end streamers, here’s your dart throw.
Sanders saw 43 targets in 2024 — and he already has 12 through 2 weeks this year.
Stat line so far: 9 catches, 81 yards.pic.twitter.com/8QERjbvGC3
— Fantasy Football Circle (@FantasyFBCircle) September 16, 2025
The former Texas standout was targeted nine times in Week 2, catching seven for 54 yards. Hunter Renfrow also stepped up at the weekend, and looks set to take on the veteran slot receiver role vacated by Adam Thielen.
Sanders has the trust of his quarterback and is an end zone threat whenever the Carolina Panthers get into scoring range. Much like Young, Sanders could easily become a weekly starter in fantasy, but is a sensible streamer for Week 3 at the very least.
