This has been an NFL season like no other. We can safely say it is the worst year for injuries in the history of the league. However, the show must go on. How should fantasy football managers handle the waiver wire, trades, and the decision to cut players from their rosters?
Tight Ends To Target Off the Week 9 Waiver Wire
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (8%)
Week 8 was the week of tight ends. A bunch of them woke up. One of the more surprisingly good performances was Mike Gesicki. The athletic tight end caught seven of eight targets for 73 yards and was the primary beneficiary of Tee Higgins’ absence.
Higgins appeared close to playing and is probably going to next week. But if he doesn’t, Gesicki is definitely on the TE streaming radar.
Tight end is still a weak position. This level of volume tied to Joe Burrow is worth chasing.
Aggressiveness Rating: 2.5
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (29%)
There seems to be something here with Zach Ertz. The once-great TE has experienced a recent resurgence in productivity. Ertz may not be able to move like he could a decade ago, but he’s still a reliable set of hands.
Ertz has now hit double-digit fantasy points in three straight weeks. Against the Bears, he earned 11 targets.
Last week was one of the most productive weeks for tight ends in fantasy football history. It obviously won’t happen every week, or often at all. This is still a weak position, and Ertz has emerged as a reliable floor option — that’s worth adding if you need a tight end.
Tight Ends To Target in Trades Ahead of Week 9
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This is the epitome of buying high, but I simply don’t care.
Last week, I hypothesized that the primary beneficiary of the injuries to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ WRs would be Cade Otton. I was more right than I could have ever imagined.
Cade Otton's second TD on #NationalTightEndsDay!
Bucs are back in it.
📺: #ATLvsTB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/ZZDLInY3RP— NFL (@NFL)
Otton was the overall TE1 on the week, catching nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield managed just fine without his two top offensive weapons. This offense should continue to air it out, and Otton is currently the most reliable pass catcher. He very well may be a top-five tight end rest of season. Buy.
Tight Ends To Potentially Trade Away Ahead of Week 9
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Somehow, in a game where Jared Goff threw for a mere 85 yards, Sam LaPorta had his best game of the season. LaPorta caught six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, accounting for 56% of Goff’s yards.
Since LaPorta is a household name, there may be someone in your league who thinks this is the start of his return to glory. I don’t think it is. This may be your only chance to sell him as a TE1.
Tight Ends To Cut in Week 9
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (72%)
What a strange season it’s been for Cole Kmet. The Chicago Bears TE has two games of 24 and 25.7 fantasy points, yet he’s practically been unstartable every other week.
Kmet caught his lone target for 14 yards last week, as well as a two-point conversion. He’s still part of the Bears’ offense but did see his role diminish a bit last week, running a route on just 60% of Caleb Williams’ dropbacks.
There will be TE1 weeks in the future. Will you ever know when they are in advance? No.
You can safely drop Kmet.