Fantasy football managers are constantly searching for the perfect trade to give their roster the edge needed for a championship run. The tight end position presents unique opportunities this week, with several players emerging as prime candidates for strategic moves. Some overlooked rookies are finally showing signs of breaking out, while certain established veterans might be ready to bounce back from recent struggles.
On the flip side, even highly-regarded players at the position may be worth moving if you can capitalize on their name value to strengthen other areas of your lineup.
Trade Targets to Buy: Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Another exciting rookie available on most waiver wires is the Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland. Loveland has been quiet to start his career and missed the team’s Week 4 win over the Las Vegas Raiders with a hip injury, but should be back in Week 6.
Before his injury in Week 3, Loveland saw a season-high three targets before leaving early, and that’s an encouraging sign for the future. The Bears’ offense has been explosive, if inconsistent, and Loveland is expected to be a big part of it.
While more of a stash at this point, a talented, first-round rookie on a Ben Johnson offense is as good a bet as any. Those with space to keep a backup tight end should be rostering Loveland if he isn’t already taken.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
You can’t do much worse than zero points, and that’s what Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz managed in Week 5. That makes it three disappointing fantasy weeks in a row for Ertz, after his production dipped with Jayden Daniels sidelined.
I’m not factoring in his usage with Marcus Mariota, as his connection with Daniels is a huge part of his fantasy value. One bad week with his starting quarterback doesn’t outweigh his phenomenal output in the first two weeks of the season and the back half of last year.
Ertz should return to a low-end TE1 moving forward, and he’ll cost you next to nothing in trades, though you should wait to see if he gets dropped before making an offer.
Trade Targets to Sell: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
After Brock Bowers and Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta is considered one of the very best tight ends in fantasy football. That name value will always make him a sellable asset, especially following spike performances.
The Lions star notched his second top-five fantasy finish of the season in Week 5 (pending Monday Night Football), catching five passes for 92 yards and a score. He finished with 20.2 fantasy points for the week, 6.3 points more than his previous season-best.
On @SideLionReport: It wasn’t National Tight Ends Day, but #Lions TEs Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright came up big in the Lions’ win over the #Bengals on Sunday #DetroitLions #OnePride https://t.co/zLhZWErFuc
— Michael Colwander (@Mike_Colwander) October 7, 2025
However, sandwiched between his two top-five finishes are three finishes outside the top-20 at the position. LaPorta remains one of the better tight ends in fantasy, but his volatility means you could arguably be better off streaming the position.
Between four and six streamer tight ends have finished in the top 12 in fantasy every week so far this season. If injuries and bye weeks have taken a toll on your roster, trading in LaPorta to strengthen another position shouldn’t be as costly as you might think.
