Fantasy football is all about finding the right players who can give your team a boost, especially as the NFL season unfolds and new opportunities arise each week. Tight end can be a tricky position to nail down, but those who dig deeper often discover valuable options on the waiver wire.
With injuries, shifting roles, and emerging talents, there’s always a chance to improve your roster by staying attentive to the weekly trends. Stay curious about which lesser-known names could deliver consistent points in your fantasy football lineup.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Rostered: 42%
Since Week 4, Theo Johnson has actually been a pretty useful fantasy option. The New York Giants TE has hit double-digit fantasy points in five of his last seven games.
Against the Chicago Bears, Johnson caught seven of eight targets for 75 yards. It was the most he’s been targeted in a game this season.
Jaxson Dart may have to miss a game with a concussion, but Russell Wilson loves to check it down. Without a clear alpha in the passing game, Johnson is a viable weekly starter.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.0
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rostered: 41%
The fact that Cade Otton is so available is shocking. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin have been out for weeks. We know how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense operates without their wide receivers.
Otton saw 12 targets against the New England Patriots, catching nine for 82 yards. While he won’t see this much volume most weeks, he should remain the second option in the passing game behind Emeka Egbuka.
Evans and Godwin are both many weeks away from returning. Otton is a weekly starter, especially on a team that struggles to run the ball.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6.0
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Rostered: 46%
This week wasn’t quite as prolific for the rookie tight end. Coming off his breakout game, Colston Loveland only caught four passes for 55 yards. Even so, 9.5 fantasy points absolutely play at fantasy’s worst position.
We don’t know what the future holds or how this offense will progress. What we do know is that Loveland is a talented rookie at a difficult position. He should continue to improve. You need to take a chance on Loveland becoming what the Bears drafted him to be.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Rostered: 42%
Since Week 5, Harold Fannin Jr. has had a pretty solid floor. His worst game over that span was 7.6 fantasy points.
David Njoku does not impact Fannin’s role. The Cleveland Browns run a lot of 12 personnel.
The rookie tight end has a role every week with multiple plays designed for him. He’s now caught at least four passes in five consecutive games. Fannin has hit double-digit fantasy points in three of them. He’s at least a high TE2.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Rostered: 34%
Don’t look now, but Dalton Schultz has quietly been a TE1 in four of his last five games. Outside of his 4.4 fantasy points in Week 8, Schultz has been no lower than 11.0 since Week 5.
It is worth noting that Davis Mills attempted 45 passes in a comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. That obviously will not happen most weeks, regardless of who plays quarterback for the Houston Texans. But Schultz may very well be the de facto second option in the passing game behind Nico Collins.
Schultz saw 11 targets against the Jaguars, catching seven for 53 yards and scoring his first touchdown of the season. He appears to have a decent weekly floor, which makes him worth rostering in fantasy.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3.5
