Should I Pick Up Shane Zylstra For Fantasy Football Week 17? Waiver Wire Outlook

Detroit Lions second-year tight end Shane Zylstra erupted from being an afterthought to a top-4 tight end finish on Christmas Eve in the loss to Carolina. Zylstra signed with the Detroit practice squad in 2021 and recorded three catches for 34 yards in his first season as a pro.

The former undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State was joined by older brother Brandon Zylstra on the Detroit practice squad in 2022. 

Zylstra was signed from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Week 10 after catching his first career touchdown in Week 9.

• 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

What Did Shane Zylstra Do In Week 16?

Zylstra put together a career day in Week 16, grabbing five of six targets for 26 yards and three touchdowns. He emerged in the loss as a go-to red zone threat for quarterback Jared Goff.

The outing was a clear anomaly, as Zylstra had only one touchdown in his career prior to Week 16 and still does not even have 100 career receiving yards.

What Is Shane Zylstra's Week 17 Outlook?

Despite Zylstra having an insane Week 16 game, he can not be inserted into lineups in Week 17. There are many safer tight end options in the fantasy championship, and relying on Zylstra is an absolute dart throw.

Detroit will continue to man the tight end position from a committee perspective as they have done since trading away T.J. Hockenson, rotating in James Mitchell and Brock Wright along with Zylstra. 

He only played 35% of snaps in the Week 16 explosion, proving this to be an anomaly. 

Should I Pick Up Shane Zylstra?

Shane Zylstra had what may end up being the best game of his career in Week 16. The tight end room is crowded in Detroit and he should not be touched in any redraft format.

In dynasty leagues, Zylstra can be added as a dart throw on tight end needy teams. There is a shot that his ceiling game in Week 16 provides him more opportunities come next season and he emerges ahead of Brock Wright and James Mitchell. At this point, he is far from a roster lock on Detroit next season with a crowded tight end room bound to become more crowded via free agency and the NFL Draft.

More Fantasy Football Analysis