We’re deep in the fantasy playoffs now, and the mission is simple: get you to championship weekend! This isn’t the time to get cute or chase long shots without reason. Matchups, roles, and usage matter more than ever.
You’ll see some familiar names below — that’s intentional. When players keep landing in strong spots, we keep playing them. I’m also casting a wider net than usual, because at this point, I want every possible edge working in your favor.
More Week 16 Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Weekly Rankings | Dynasty Risers and Fallers
Before we dive in, make sure these tight ends are not sitting on your waiver wire:
Dallas Goedert, Juwan Johnson, Harold Fannin, Colston Loveland, and Brenton Strange.
Week 16 Tight End Streamers
Darren Waller – Miami Dolphins
Darren Waller reminded everyone exactly why he matters, finishing Week 15 as the TE3 overall after torching Pittsburgh for seven catches, 66 yards, and two touchdowns. This wasn’t fluky — it was the continuation of what we’ve been targeting for weeks now.
The Dolphins now draw Cincinnati in Week 16, and the Bengals remain historically bad against tight ends. They allow the most receptions, the most yards, the most touchdowns (15), and the most fantasy points per game to the position. One quiet Ravens game in Week 15 doesn’t change the season-long reality. Cincinnati still hasn’t figured out how to defend tight ends, and Waller remains firmly in play as a high-end streamer with league-winning upside.
Colby Parkinson – Los Angeles Rams
Colby Parkinson should already be on your roster — but if somehow, he isn’t, now is the time. Parkinson has scored six touchdowns in his last six games, including a monster Week 15 where he went for five catches, 75 yards, and two scores on seven targets.
That breakout coincided with Davante Adams injuring his hamstring, and Adams is unlikely to suit up on a short week, Thursday night against Seattle. If Adams sits, Parkinson could see even more red-zone work. Seattle has played solid defense overall, but tight end coverage remains its weakness, ranking in the bottom five in fantasy points allowed to the position. Parkinson already scored against them in Week 11 and now enters Week 16 playing his best football of the season.
Theo Johnson – New York Giants
Theo Johnson just keeps delivering. From Weeks 4 through 14, Johnson ranked as the TE12 in fantasy points per game, posting five top-12 finishes during that stretch. His underlying usage supports the production, with a 19.1 percent target share, nearly 41 receiving yards per game, and a strong 22.5 percent first-read share.
Even in Week 15, when his target share dipped to just 10.8 percent against Washington, Johnson still led the Giants with 72 receiving yards. That’s the story of his season — efficiency and reliability. He’s now had exactly three receptions in seven of his last eight games, which isn’t flashy, but it’s steady. As long as he stays in sync with Jaxson Dart, Johnson should continue to hover around TE1 territory.
Week 16 Tight End Sleepers
TJ Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson finally looks like himself again, and it’s no coincidence that it coincides with J.J. McCarthy starting to settle in. Over the past three weeks, Hockenson has totaled 137 receiving yards and a touchdown, and the schedule lines up perfectly for playoff runs.
He draws the Giants and Lions over the next two weeks — both exploitable secondaries — making him a sneaky but strong option during championship pushes.
Dawson Knox – Buffalo BillsÂ
Knox has quietly re-emerged as a fantasy factor at the exact right time. He played a key role in Buffalo’s Week 15 comeback in New England, catching three passes for 37 yards — with two second-half touchdowns that flipped the game.
That followed a 93-yard performance the week before, and over the Bills’ last three games, Knox has led the team in target share at 19.7 percent while hauling in 12 of 15 targets for 158 yards and two scores. This resurgence is especially wild considering Dalton Kincaid is healthy again, yet Knox has been the more productive option. Cleveland presents a tougher matchup, but Knox is worth rostering as Buffalo pushes for the AFC East crown.
Luke Musgrave – Green Bay Packers
This one is all about opportunity. Musgrave had success in week 15 with a season-high four catches for 52 yards against Denver and could see even more work with Christian Watson injured again.
The opportunity is opening up at the right time, and Musgrave is a deep-league sleeper worth monitoring if you’re scraping for tight end help.
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