Steaming Pile of Streaming Tight Ends
Finding a fill-in at the tight-end position is never fun, but here in this article, we’ll dive into a few options if you still need to snag one of a reliable player at the position who is still widely available in many fantasy leagues.
In a year in which we have seen so many young talents emerge as usable fantasy options, none can replace losing elite talent at the position like Mark Andrews, who went down with an ankle injury in Week 11. Finding a fill-in for him will be easier in a holiday week without any byes. We saw Josh Oliver steal work from TJ Hockenson and finish as a top-two option, and Stone Smartt hardened his way into the box score with his 51-yard catch and run score. Hopefully, guys like this can slow down the tears they bring to fantasy managers going forward. It’s getting gross out there folks, so if you still have time to make a move for a top free agent option, I would suggest doing it; the waiver wire in the coming weeks is likely to only get worse.
Logan Thomas
Commander of Targets
Logan Thomas had a hot start to the season, but the excitement he brought has calmed as the season has progressed. What some managers may not have noticed, though, is that despite missing a game due to injury, he is still a top 12 tight end on the season. Over the last five games, he has pulled in at least four catches while hitting at least 40 yards in all but one. The Dallas Cowboys may boast the second-best secondary in the NFL from a statistical standpoint, allowing under 150 yards per game, but where they can be beaten is at the tight end position. The Cowboys have given up the second most touchdowns to the tight end position (6). This may be a hard game to watch if you are rooting for the Washington Commanders or any of their players, but Thomas should give you enough confidence to sit him and forget him.
Isaiah Likely
A Lovely Replacement
The injury reaper came in, stole Mark Andrews, and cut the legs right out from under us. Isaiah Likely is the next man up in Baltimore. Luckily for us, Likely taking over as the starter isn’t unfamiliar territory. He had three games last season in which he saw over 60 percent of snaps and finished Top 9 in all three weeks, including two Top 3 finishes. If you have any worries about stage fright for the young player, he is set up with a beautiful matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are bottom three in yards and receptions to the tight end position. Likely should bring a decent amount of flash in waiver wire pickups, but if you can come away with him, he should leave you happy he filled in.
Donald Parham Jr
Last Man Standing
We are going back to the well in our attempt to grab some of these free yards thrown by Justin Herbert. With seemingly all receiving options behind Keenan Allen gone, this tight-end position is making splashes. Donald Parham Jr saw the majority of the work with Gerald Everett out for Week 11. Stone Smartt came away with the 51-yard touchdown for the position but Parham Jr was heavily used in the game. Whoever gets the starting role, Everett or Parham should be in line for a good chunk of work in a projected high-scoring meetup with the Baltimore Ravens. Everett was still a limited participant during mid-week practice, so Parham seems more likely to be the starter in Week 12 at the present moment. The Ravens are tough against the position but that’s true for all positions, so this is purely a volume play assuming the Chargers should be behind in most of this game.
Greg Dulcich
Grab Dulcich
Yeah, you remember this guy? After a stellar rookie season, Greg Dulcich was jockeying for position with Adam Trautman, who was acquired from the New Orleans Saints. Trautman has ties with new head coach Sean Payton, and Dulcich has struggled to remain healthy this season; both factors have kept us from seeing him build upon a promising first year. This team is hot right now, and Russell Wilson seems to be getting it together as much as he can these days. Obviously, Dulcich is not worthy of a start right now, but he’s a decent stash. Watch the injury reports, because once he comes back, he may be able to utilize his impressive athleticism and untapped potential to earn the trust of the coaching staff just in time for the fantasy playoffs.
Let me know what you think about these players! Any questions? Please find me on Twitter/X @TooMuch_Brian.
Photos by Rene Böhmer/Unsplash and Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire | Featured Image by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter and @EthanMKaplanImages on Instagram)