Just when fantasy football games are becoming crucial, fantasy managers are missing key components of their squads thanks to bye weeks.
Four more teams are off in Week 11, and the tight end position takes a hit because Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton, Arizona’s Trey McBride, Carolina’s Ja’Tavion Sanders, and New York’s Theo Johnson are all off. Otton and McBride are particularly tough losses for fantasy footballers as they have been two of the hottest tight ends in recent weeks.
Need a TE this week? Without further ado, here are the top tight ends available on fantasy waiver wires for Week 11, beginning with New Orleans’ all-purpose jack-of-all-trades.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Pick Up - Week 11 Waiver Wire
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans’ multi-talented, multi-category machine has more pressure on him than ever to make big plays since the Saints’ top two pass catchers (Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed) are out. QB Derek Carr has Hill and top tailback Alvin Kamara, and that is pretty much it. The third-best option in the offense might be gumbo and the fourth might be jambalaya.
Hill's numbers against the Atlanta Falcons this past Sunday were quite pedestrian, but the boxscore does have this electrifying touchdown in it because it was called back.
didn't count but taysom hill = falcons killer pic.twitter.com/9Dn2K5pZqQ
— Trace (@yfntrace) November 10, 2024
Hill has been more involved in the passing game lately (eight of his 10 receptions have come over his last three games) and has rushed for three touchdowns over his past four games.
New Orleans hosts Cleveland this weekend, so expect Hill to have one or two opportunities inside the five-yard-line. Hill has more going for him than Kendrick Lamar this week, so that is why he is the top tight end on the waiver wire board.
Other Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
Last week’s top tight end pick took a step back after catching four passes for 30 yards against division rival Baltimore last Thursday night. That’s because tight end teammate Tanner Hudson had six catches for 42 yards and a TD in the same game.
It would be nice if Gesicki could establish himself as the one and only tight end for Joe Burrow to throw to, and his target total will take another hit when WR2 Tee Higgins returns from injury.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Will more fantasy managers please pick this man up? I am getting tired of writing about him. How many ways can I say that Henry is a solid veteran who is New England’s No. 1 pass catcher? Drake Maye is a better quarterback than Jacoby Brissett, and Henry’s numbers reflect that in recent weeks.
Henry is like Gesicki because there is another tight end on his team (Austin Hooper) who is taking targets away from him which hurts his fantasy worth.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Knox could be pressed into a larger role in Buffalo’s passing attack depending on the severity of Dalton Kincaid’s knee injury. He has had his two biggest games of 2024 over the past three weeks and should get some red-zone looks if he is Josh Allen’s top tight end this Sunday. His only problem will be finding openings against 9-0 Kansas City’s staunch defense.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Ertz is no longer a TE1 for fantasy purposes. He is a plug-and-play TE2 when he has the perfect matchup and/or when your fantasy team’s top tight end is injured, on bye, or facing a top-5 pass defense. Ertz has been targeted eight times and 11 times in two of his last three contests, and he faces his former team (Philadelphia) in an NFC East showdown Thursday night. I am sure Ertz would like to stick it to his old organization.
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins
Smith started slower than a slug but has strung a month’s worth of decent games together. He has 21 receptions for 224 yards and a TD over his most recent four-game span heading into his Monday matchup against the L.A. Rams. Smith’s Week 11 game – home against Las Vegas – should be favorable for fantasy purposes as well.
Do Not Forget About…
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
Johnson is off this week and of no help to fantasy managers, but that does not mean you should totally forget about him. The fourth-round rookie out of Penn State has 10 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown over his past three outings and continues to improve as he learns more about the Giants offense and the NFL.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers
Another promising rookie on bye this week, Sanders has blossomed quickly ever since Carolina dealt Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens.
Sanders scored the first touchdown of his career in Carolina’s win over the New York Giants in Germany and had an 87-yard game the week prior. Pick him up now before someone else does – especially in dynasty leagues where his upside can be enjoyed in 2025 and 2026.
Bryce Young to Ja’Tavion Sanders for the opening TD in Munich. (First career TD for JT Sanders)
Eyes never dropped, despite slipping while navigating the pocket.
NOTE: Run blocking all drive was OUTSTANDING pic.twitter.com/oGo72OISw6
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) November 10, 2024
Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers
Dissly led all Chargers pass catchers in targets this past week with a half-dozen. It just shows how Justin Herbert spreads the ball around and does not solely focus on a couple of guys. The burly veteran has four catches or more in four of his past five games and provides sneaky value in PPR formats. His biggest drawback is that he has yet to score a touchdown this season.
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