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Week 12 of the NFL season will have no tight ends on bye, but there might be some tight end turkeys to avoid when figuring out your fantasy football lineup. Thanksgiving Week is one of the best in fantasy football since every NFL team is playing, and it is crucial in determining which fantasy squads make the playoffs and which will wish they did not draft Russell Wilson, Cam Akers, and Diontae Johnson.
If you think your starting tight end is a downer and you need an upgrade, take a gander at the available tight ends below and see which one fits your need the best! There are still several serviceable tight ends on league waiver wires that could help if you are in a pinch – like if you were banking on New York’s Tyler Conklin or Baltimore’s Isaiah Likely to be your tight end savior.
Without further ado, here are the best tight end waiver wire pickups for Week 12!
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Top Tight Ends to Pickup - Week 12 Waiver Wire
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Now that all the fantasy managers who needed a tight end last week gobbled up Chicago’s Cole Kmet, Johnson is undoubtedly the top tight end available on most waiver wires. He has become Andy Dalton’s favorite red-zone target since he used to pepper A.J. Green with TD tosses during his Cincinnati glory days.
Johnson has scored five touchdowns over his past five games, which makes him Travis Kelce-like. He is only averaging 36 yards per game over that span, but that is pretty good for him considering he has been a touchdown-dependent TE since last season. His next two games are not fantasy friendly (at San Francisco and at Tampa Bay), but Johnson has proven he is no longer a one-week wonder. Pick him up and he should keep the touchdowns coming from here on out since he is a matchup nightmare down by the end zone.
Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
If you prefer the New Orleans tight end who lines up as quarterback and runs like a running back, then take Hill over Johnson. Just know that Hill’s fantasy value totally depends on the Saints' game plan and how many times they end up inside the red zone. While he has rushed for 50-plus yards twice in the past five games, in the other three outings he has 16 rushing yards combined.
Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller’s job is not in jeopardy in Vegas. Moreau has not been the Dallas Goedert to Waller’s Zach Ertz like some fantasy pundits probably predicted. But Moreau’s yardage total has been between the 28-to-43 range over his past five games, so he has been a small yet consistent producer at the position.
Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
Denver’s 2022 passing “attack” makes fantasy managers and Broncos fans long for the John Elway Era. The good news is rookie Dulcich has carved a niche in the offense and has averaged 45 yards and five targets per game since joining the team midseason. As long as speedy Jerry Jeudy keeps missing time due to injury, Dulcich will be close to the top of the target totem pole on the team.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Gesicki should be refreshed after a week off, and his fantasy value should be recharged against a Houston pass defense that is below-average and would be picked apart more if they did not also have the 32nd-ranked run defense in the NFL.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
It is as if Hurst is Moreau in a different uniform. If you like 20-40 yards per week and a rare occasional touchdown that will make your Sunday special, Hurst is your man. If you thought his stats would be on an uptick once Ja’Marr Chase was injured, though, you were sadly mistaken.
Do Not Forget About…
Austin Hooper, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee’s top tight end scored his first two touchdowns of the season last Thursday at Green Bay. His fantasy value is 100 times better if Ryan Tannehill stays under center, so keep his name in your mind if you need a TE for a spot start. Just do not expect Hooper to rack up receptions and scores when he is in a run-first offense that revolves around Derrick Henry.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Did you forget about Otton since he was on bye last week? He had eight catches for 103 yards and a TD in his two games prior to being on vacay. His next two matchups might be mouth-watering (Cleveland and New Orleans), but vet Cameron Brate should be healthier and might slice into Otton’s time and targets.
Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders
Thomas easily had his best game of his disappointing season so far with five catches for 65 yards against the hopeless Houston Texans. I would wait another week before taking a flyer on him since he has been non-existent fantasy-wise for the bulk of the campaign, but one more good game gets him in my good graces.
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