Fantasy football managers are scrambling this week as several tight ends emerge with intriguing upside. Injuries and quarterback changes have opened new opportunities across multiple teams. Two second-year players and one rookie have surged into the waiver wire spotlight. Each could shift league standings as the fantasy playoffs draw closer.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cade Otton was a popular waiver add last week, with both Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka questionable, and Chris Godwin ruled out. Evans and Egbuka started against the Detroit Lions on Monday night, threatening to nuke Otton’s fantasy ceiling.
However, Evans left the game early after landing heavily on a phenomenal would-be catch, and left the field with hamstring and concussion concerns. It’s since been revealed that Evans broke his collarbone in the fall and will miss significant time once more.
That’s awful news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and fantasy managers, but it leaves Otton with another chance to shine. The tight end caught seven of nine targets for 65 yards against Detroit and should be in for another starring role this weekend and for the foreseeable future.
Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers
Oronde Gadsden II has exploded onto the fantasy football radar after two stellar weeks, in which he has ranked as the TE2 overall. The rookie has caught 14 of 17 targets for 232 yards and a touchdown over his last two games, and looks to be a legitimate star in the making.
Size, speed, and big-play ability make Gadsden an intriguing season-long fantasy prospect who will be a priority waiver target this week. You’ll have to pay up to get him, and he might not reproduce his outlandish numbers from Week 7 again, but players on waivers rarely carry this much potential.
The Chargers were chasing a huge deficit against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7, and are unlikely to be that far behind again for a while. That should put him behind Otton in Week 8 rankings, but his long-term potential will likely see him go for much more.
Both Otton and Gadsden are great waiver adds this week, and both could be top fantasy tight ends for the rest of the season.
Mason Taylor, New York Jets
Mason Taylor has been a regular tight end streamer in recent weeks and gets a second wind with an expected quarterback change in New York this week. The Jets benched Justin Fields at halftime of their Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers, with veteran Tyrod Taylor taking his place.
Mason had five targets against Carolina, all of which came in the second half when playing with his namesake at quarterback. The tight end should see plenty of action against the Bengals this weekend, as the Jets attempt to keep up with Flacco and the Bengals.
Garrett Wilson remains questionable after missing Week 7 with a knee injury, but Taylor should serve as one of the team’s primary playmakers, with or without Wilson.
