Eight weeks of NFL play are officially in the books, which means bye weeks are in full swing. Gone are the days where you could just coast by on a strong draft. Now more than ever, you’ll need to search the waiver wire for all the best available tight ends. Heading into Week 9, you should set your eyes on Darren Fells, Jonnu Smith, Jacob Hollister, and Tyler Eifert.
Note that in order to make this list, the player had to be available in over 50% of fantasy leagues. If you’re in smaller leagues, there may be better players available. Make sure to check your waivers to see if there are any diamonds in the rough before submitting your claims.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Claims: Running Back – Wide Receiver – Quarterback – Defense
Darren Fells, Jonnu Smith Highlight Fantasy Football Week 9 Tight End Waiver Wire Claims
Darren Fells
Fells received a high percentage of end zone targets early in the season, but that’s starting to translate to targets throughout the field. Fells finished Week 8 catching all six of his targets for 58 yards and two touchdowns. The Houston Texans are a high-powered offense, and Fells should be in the red zone on a consistent basis. The Texans throw in the red zone at one of the highest rates in the league, and Fells clearly has the trust of quarterback Deshaun Watson. If he can maintain his high target share, he should be a week-in, week-out starter at one of the hardest positions to fill in fantasy football.
Jonnu Smith
As discussed in a previous article, Jonnu Smith has a chance to be fantasy-relevant as long as Delanie Walker stays off the field. The former third-round pick had himself a day in relief of Walker, recording six receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown. Granted, this production came against a horrible Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, but it still counts for something. He won’t be as effective against the Carolina Panthers in Week 9, but Ryan Tannehill should be able to get him the ball on a relatively consistent basis. If you’re streaming the position, you could do a lot worse than Smith.
Jacob Hollister
If you play in a deep league, or just like to live on the wild side, take a shot on Seattle Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister. With Will Dissly sidelined for the season, Hollister is the best pass-catching tight end left on the roster. Hollister only saw two targets in Week 8, but that’s largely because the Seahawks jumped out to a huge lead and didn’t need to throw the ball. In Week 7, Hollister saw six targets against the Baltimore Ravens.
Hollister faces the best matchup possible in Week 9. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a terrible defense and are worst in the league at defending the tight end position. Russell Wilson can turn anyone into a fantasy-relevant player, and Hollister should have a decent opportunity against this porous defense. Hollister is going to be available in whatever league you play in, and he has a decent chance to have a solid outing.
Keep an Eye On: Tyler Eifert
Tyler Eifert should not be your first choice, as the former first-round pick is on a bye in Week 9. However, the tight end led the position with nine targets (barring Monday Night Football) and should remain an integral part of Cincinnati’s passing attack as long as he’s with the Bengals. Cincinnati is going to sell at the deadline, and Eifert is likely to find a new home in the coming days. Wherever he goes, it’s going to be an upgrade from the Bengals’ paltry offense. If he lands with Tom Brady in New England or Drew Brees in New Orleans, he’s a starting-caliber fantasy tight end.
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Claims: Running Back – Wide Receiver – Quarterback – Defense
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