The tight end position has been feast or famine lately, and finding reliable production on the waiver wire hasn’t been easy. However, we have a few players trending in the right direction heading into Week 9 who could help fill the void for fantasy managers dealing with bye weeks. Pat Freiermuth and Gunnar Helm are among the tight ends unavailable this week, so let’s take a look at some of the best options still available on waivers.
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Week 9 Tight End Streamers
Juwan Johnson
Johnson currently sits at TE10 on the season, but his production over the final few games before the Saints’ bye week wasn’t exactly encouraging. He got off to a strong start, recording 21 receptions and three touchdowns over his first four games. Unfortunately, his involvement in the New Orleans passing offense has dropped off considerably.
Over his last three games before the Week 8 bye, Johnson managed just five receptions for 23 yards on 10 targets. His usage has also taken a hit, with his routes per game dropping from 34.5 during the first month of the season to just 19.7 as Noah Fant and rookie Oscar Delp became more involved in the tight end rotation.
Despite the recent production dip, I’m not ready to give up on Johnson. His early-season success showed what he can bring to this offense, and I still believe there’s potential for him to get back on track.
If he’s still available in your league, I’d make him a priority addition heading into Week 9.
Mike Gesicki
Unfortunately, we’re talking about Mike Gesicki again. I have a feeling fantasy football managers will get burned the next time they put him in their starting lineup, much like what happened back in Week 2 against Houston when he gave us a big fat zero.
However, it’s hard to ignore the production lately.
Gesicki found the end zone again on Sunday, giving him six touchdowns over his last seven games. He’s been surprisingly consistent this season, especially considering how unpredictable he’s been throughout his career.
Unlike the previous two weeks, when his touchdown receptions were essentially his entire fantasy production, Gesicki brought more to the table in Week 8. He finished with four receptions for 76 yards against Tennessee, showing he can provide value beyond just being a red-zone target.
The biggest concern is the competition for targets in Cincinnati. With Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins commanding so much attention in the passing game, opportunities can be limited for everyone else.
Still, Gesicki has found ways to produce, and the matchup against Atlanta’s 29th-ranked pass defense gives him another opportunity to keep the touchdown production rolling.
Michael Mayer
Mayer currently sits at TE12 on the season and continues to put together respectable numbers for the position. Over his last three games, Mayer has recorded 15 receptions for 180 yards.
He’s not someone I’d aggressively target in every format, but he deserves consideration in PPR leagues where his reception volume can provide some additional value.
STASH ALERT! Terrance Ferguson
With Ferguson expected to return to practice this week, he immediately becomes an interesting stash candidate at the tight end position.
The 23-year-old has flashed plenty of upside when given opportunities, and there’s a chance his role becomes more important with Davante Adams out of the picture.
He may not be someone you want to throw into your starting lineup immediately, but the upside is worth taking a chance on before he becomes a more popular waiver-wire option.
Week 9 Tight End Sleepers
Eli Raridon
Keep an eye on the Hunter Henry injury situation heading into Week 9. Henry left Sunday’s game with a foot injury, and rookie Eli Raridon could be in line for a much bigger role if Henry is forced to miss time.
Raridon saw a 92% snap rate after Henry exited, which is certainly something worth monitoring. He’s also received 16 targets over his last four games and has shown some flashes when given opportunities in the passing game.
We still need more clarity on Henry’s availability, but Raridon is someone to keep on your radar. If Henry misses time, the rookie could become an interesting streaming option for fantasy managers searching for help at tight end.
Greg Dulcich
Maybe after several seasons of inconsistent production and untimely hamstring injuries, Greg Dulcich is finally starting to put things together. Miami’s top tight end has recorded 13 receptions for 166 yards over his last three games, making him an intriguing name to monitor heading into Week 9.
I’m not expecting him to suddenly become the next Travis Kelce, but the recent production is encouraging, and the matchup against Detroit’s 32nd-ranked pass defense makes him an interesting streaming option.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 9 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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