The tight end position in fantasy football remains one of the most challenging to navigate, often leaving managers scrambling for consistent production week after week. With injuries and unpredictable performances creating opportunities, the waiver wire
Recent weeks have showcased several emerging players who could provide valuable depth or become weekly starters for fantasy managers willing to take calculated risks. As bye weeks impact rosters, identifying these breakout candidates early can be the difference between a championship run and an early playoff exit.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Rostered: 11%
After Malik Nabers went down, we have a favorite for the top beneficiary. Theo Johnson caught six passes for 33 yards and two touchdowns.
Johnson channeled his inner Jake Ferguson as the ultimate PPR scam. He was inefficient, but effective, which is perfectly fine for fantasy managers.
The rookie played 72% of the snaps and ran a route on 76% of Jaxson Dart’s dropbacks. That is plenty good usage. Johnson can absolutely be started weekly in a post-Nabers Giants offense.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
Mason Taylor, New York Jets
Rostered: 13%
Last week, Mason Taylor showed signs of breaking out. This week, he fully broke out.
The New York Jets’ rookie tight end caught nine of 12 targets for 67 yards. He also tacked on a two-point conversion.
Taylor benefited from extreme negative game script and the Dallas Cowboys’ playing soft coverage in the second half. But he played 84% of the snaps and ran a route on 83% of Justin Fields’ dropbacks. The Jets’ TE1 job is his, and he should only get better as the season progresses.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks
Rostered: 2%
Rookie Elijah Arroyo is not threatening AJ Barner. This is his job. Barner has now hit double-digit fantasy points in three of his last four contests. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught all seven of his targets for 53 yards and two touchdowns.
This will almost certainly go down as his best game of the season. But more importantly, Sam Darnold is playing exceptionally well, his backbreaking game-losing interception notwithstanding. The only sure thing in this passing game is Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
There are a lot of tight ends worth adding this week. If you get locked out on the superior options, Barner is a fine backup plan.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.5
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
Rostered: 48%
Fantasy managers finally give up on Evan Engram, so, of course, he scores a touchdown. But that’s all it was. Evan Engram remains a non-factor in the Denver Broncos’ offense.
He did set season highs against the Philadelphia Eagles. Engram caught four passes for 33 yards and his first score. Had he not found the end zone, no one would have even considered him as a waiver wire pickup.
Engram is still not running nearly enough routes. Do not add him.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
