The key to winning your fantasy football league often lies on the waiver wire. While your league mates chase last year’s stars, unexpected heroes emerge. This week, a few under-the-radar tight ends sent a clear signal. They are ready to make an impact and demand your attention.
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (at BAL)
Harold Fannin Jr. arrived in the NFL after a phenomenal year at Bowling Green, in which he caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. His receptions and receiving yards led the FBS for the year, and he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of April’s draft as a result.
Fannin’s landing spot may have had some scratching their heads, with veteran star David Njoku already on the team. Nevertheless, Fannin attracted plenty of praise throughout camp and was rewarded with significant action in Week 1.
Browns GM Andrew Berry called TE Harold Fannin Jr. the “queen on the chessboard” after they drafted him.
Fannin catches his first NFL TD lined up like a wide receiver. Cleveland loves his versatility. pic.twitter.com/oDZ2wXVFMD
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 23, 2025
In fact, the rookie out-targeted Njoku and the rest of his teammates, leading the Browns with nine targets against the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught seven of those targets for 63 yards, making him a priority waiver add at tight end this week.
Fannin might cost you some FAAB, but if he continues as he started, he could be a huge hit this season, particularly in tight-end-premium leagues.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (at CIN)
Brenton Strange was a popular sleeper before the season and went undrafted in most leagues. The Jaguars’ tight end has taken over as the team’s starter after Evan Engram was released earlier in the year.
Against Carolina in Week 1, Strange caught all four of his targets for 59 yards. He faces the Cincinnati Bengals this coming weekend, who just allowed 10 receptions for 100 yards to the tight end position against the Browns.
READ MORE: Fantasy Streamers Week 2
The Jaguars carried a lead for the vast majority of their season opener against Carolina, but will have a much harder time keeping the Bengals’ offense quiet. The Jaguars were a leaky defense in 2024 and may have improved during the offseason, but this weekend’s game has shootout potential, with Strange set to benefit.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers (at NO)
Jake Tonges came out of nowhere to bag three receptions for 15 yards and a touchdown in the San Francisco 49ers’ opening weekend win over the Seattle Seahawks. Primarily a special teamer, Tonges played 30 offensive snaps in Week 1, with star tight end George Kittle left the game with a hamstring injury.
Jake Tonges had never caught a pass in the NFL before today.
He has three today. Including this one 🙌 pic.twitter.com/g1xMS2UXub
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
That’s almost as many offensive snaps as he played in the whole of 2024 (34), making him a streamer at best in 2025. However, with Kittle expected to miss multiple weeks, Tonges could prove a vital waiver add for those who drafted the veteran.
Brock Purdy’s injury designation will be important to monitor if picking up Tonges, as backup quarterback Mac Jones may favor other targets. If Purdy plays, though, Tonges should be expected to earn targets against a New Orleans Saints defense that looked vulnerable in Week 1.
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
If you’re reading this, you’re aware of what Brock Bowers is and that’s a machine. We’ve seen him on the professional stage 18 times, and he’s already hit 90 receiving yards seven times.
For context, Justin Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and Ja’Marr Chase all had seven such stat lines through their first 18 career games. In fact, since 2000, Odell Beckham and Victor Cruz are the only players to top seven in that very niche stat that you can now flaunt at your Week 2 watch party.
I’m not worried about the knee injury that he seemed to pick up late last week, and I’m not worried about Michael Mayer earning a red zone target. For me, Mayer is Tyler Allgeier to Bowers’ Bijan Robinson, case closed.
You spent up at the position this summer to have a built-in edge every week over your league, and while Geno Smith may not be a perfect QB, he certainly looked comfortable in funneling the targets where they needed to go in this offense, and that’s all you care about.
Bowers had 8+ targets in both Charger games last season, and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t make it three-for-three in that regard this week.
Week 2 Tight End Rankings
1) Brock Bowers | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. LAC)
2) Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals (vs. CAR)
3) Sam LaPorta | Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
4) Tyler Warren | Indianapolis Colts (vs. DEN)
5) T.J. Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
6) Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. PHI)
7) Tucker Kraft | Green Bay Packers (vs. WAS)
8) Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens (vs. CLE)
9) Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles (at KC)
10) Evan Engram | Denver Broncos (at IND)
11) Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons (at MIN)
12) Jake Ferguson | Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG)
13) David Njoku | Cleveland Browns (at BAL)
14) Juwan Johnson | New Orleans Saints (vs. SF)
15) Brenton Strange | Jacksonville Jaguars (at CIN)
16) Dalton Kincaid | Buffalo Bills (at NYJ)
17) Zach Ertz | Washington Commanders (at GB)
18) Colston Loveland | Chicago Bears (at DET)
19) Hunter Henry | New England Patriots (at MIA)
20) Harold Fannin Jr. | Cleveland Browns (at BAL)
21) Chig Okonkwo | Tennessee Titans (vs. LAR)
22) Jonnu Smith | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. SEA)
23) Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears (at DET)
24) Cade Otton | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at HOU)
25) Mike Gesicki | Cincinnati Bengals (vs. JAX)
