The tight end position continues to be a weekly headache for fantasy managers, but there are still plenty of options worth targeting on the waiver wire. Whether you’re looking at an emerging rookie, a veteran with a favorable matchup, or a backup stepping into an expanded role, there are several players who could provide some much-needed production.
With injuries and changing offensive roles creating new opportunities, Week 4 presents another chance to find a reliable streamer before your league mates catch on. Let’s discuss!
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Week 4 Tight End Streamers
Kenyon Sadiq
Sadiq is coming off a breakout performance against a Lions defense that struggled to contain the passing game. With Breece Hall expected to miss at least another week or two and Adonai Mitchell dealing with a finger injury, Sadiq could remain heavily involved in the Jets’ offense heading into Week 4.
The rookie hauled in seven of eight targets for 105 yards and a touchdown, making him one of the more intriguing tight end options available on the waiver wire. The production is encouraging, but there’s still some uncertainty surrounding his workload. Sadiq ran a route on just 58.1% of New York’s pass plays with Mason Taylor sidelined, and the Jets continued rotating three tight ends throughout the game. Still, Sadiq made the most of his opportunities, earning a target on nearly one-third of his routes.
With Taylor and Mitchell unavailable, Sadiq earned a 22% target share while seeing his average depth of target jump to 10 yards after posting a sub-one-yard aDOT through his first two games. He’s now fifth in the NFL in yards per route run, further highlighting his potential as a receiving threat.
He has the potential to become one of the more valuable tight end additions of the season. Fantasy managers should be making him a priority while his role continues to develop.
Darren Waller
Waller delivered his best receiving performance of the season in Carolina’s 21-18 loss, finishing with five receptions for 51 yards. With Xavier Legette (knee) and Jalen Coker (quad) both dealing with injuries, the Panthers’ tight ends combined for 11 catches and 128 receiving yards.
Waller has now scored twice in Week 2 and recorded 10 receptions on the season, giving fantasy managers some reason for optimism as his role in the offense continues to evolve. Although his route participation remained limited at just 57% in Week 3, Waller saw a noticeable increase in targets. He finished with a 20% target share. If Coker is sidelined for Week 4, Waller could see another increased opportunity.
The matchup makes him even more appealing. Detroit has allowed 28.5 fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends, the most in the NFL, while also surrendering 32.0 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.
With the Panthers facing the Lions on Sunday night, Waller is firmly in the streaming conversation. His limited route participation is still worth monitoring, but the combination of increased target share, red-zone production, and a favorable matchup makes him a viable option for managers searching for tight end help.
AJ Barner
Barner is another tight end moving into the streaming conversation heading into Week 4, and he’s still widely available in most fantasy leagues. His five catches on nine targets for 69 yards against the Saints were a significant improvement from his first two games, when he managed just three receptions for 21 yards with Drew Lock under center.
With Sam Darnold back at quarterback, Barner immediately became a bigger part of Seattle’s passing attack. His nine targets ranked second on the team behind only Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who finished with 14. Barner also made the most of his opportunities, turning a tight end screen into a 32-yard gain and showing the type of receiving ability that could make him a useful fantasy option moving forward.
There’s some reason to believe the connection with Darnold can continue. Barner caught 52 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns with Darnold last season, giving the two some established chemistry heading into Week 4.
The matchup against the Chargers isn’t necessarily ideal, as Los Angeles has allowed just 10.4 fantasy points per game to tight ends. However, Seattle’s pass-heavy offense and Barner’s increased involvement give him a path to another productive outing.
Week 4 Tight End Sleepers
Tyler Higbee
Higbee could become a valuable short-term fantasy option following Terrance Ferguson’s ankle injury in Week 3. Ferguson briefly returned after suffering the injury but ultimately missed the entire second half, opening the door for Higbee to take over as the Rams’ primary receiving tight end.
Higbee responded with eight receptions on 11 targets for 62 yards and a touchdown.. He truly stepped up and finished the game having ran a route on 77% of the team’s passing plays while commanding a 23% target share.
The biggest factor to monitor is Ferguson’s availability, along with Puka Nacua’s status. Higbee’s expanded role will be temporary, but with both players potentially missing another week, he has a chance to remain fantasy relevant in Week 4.
Orondae Gadsen
Gadsden’s box score from Week 3 wasn’t pretty, finishing with zero receptions on three targets. However, fantasy football managers shouldn’t be too quick to dismiss him based solely on the lack of production.
The underlying usage was much more encouraging. Gadsden played 25 of the Chargers’ 30 snaps in 11 personnel and ran a route on 73.7% of Justin Herbert’s passing plays.
With David Njoku on injured reserve and Charlie Kolar still sidelined, the Chargers have an opportunity to give Gadsden more opportunities in the passing game. The routes were there on Sunday, even if the targets didn’t translate into receptions. I’m not dropping him after one quiet performance. The increased route participation is worth monitoring for another week.
He’s more of a speculative stash than an immediate must-start.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 4 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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