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2022 has not exactly been the Year of the Tight End in fantasy football. Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts has no touchdowns and three games of 25 receiving yards or less. San Francisco’s George Kittle has all of 28 yards thanks to an early injury. Dallas’ Dalton Schultz has 80 yards on the season and has done fantasy favors for no one.
These three were ranked among the elite at the position heading into the season and have yet to provide what fantasy managers need from them, which is why they might be reading this column for reinforcements.
Without further ado, here are the best tight end waiver wire pickups for Week 5!
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Top Tight Ends to Pickup - Week 5 Waiver Wire
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Conklin was not targeted as much by Zach Wilson as he was the two prior weeks by the aging Joe Flacco, yet he was able to manage three catches for 52 yards in the Jets' surprising win over the Pittsburgh Steelers this past Sunday. So it does not matter that the Jets have upgraded their running backs and receivers to go along with their tight ends, and it does not matter who is running the offense. Conklin is proving he will get his targets and will give fantasy managers the receptions and yards they need.
Conklin is running more pass routes than he ever has in his career and ran more routes than any tight end through the first three weeks. Just do not bank on Conklin turning his catches into touchdowns (five TD in 68 career contests). He is steady and solid, but not spectacular, yet he is the best of the bunch at the tight end position in most fantasy leagues entering Week 5.
Other Tight Ends to Consider Adding
Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
Last week, rookie tight end teammate Jelani Woods scored two touchdowns, so Alie-Cox looked like his fantasy value was lower than a long snapper’s. Yet after piling up six receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns against Tennessee this past weekend, fantasy managers have to put Cox back on their radars. Matt Ryan loves throwing to his tight ends, although you will be hard-pressed to figure out which TE will see the targets week in and week out.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Tim Tebow’s time as a tight end might not have worked out well, but Hill is doing just fine with his tight end experiment. Granted, while he might be listed on the roster and in many fantasy leagues as a TE, we all know he gets his stats from under center. Hill is almost averaging 10 yards per carry and has two touchdowns so far, so he has been more valuable than many tight ends in fantasy formats during the first month of play. If QB Jameis Winston and RB Alvin Kamara continue to be hampered by injuries, Hill will continue to get opportunities to make plays in the offense.
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Hey, look who made a touchdown trip this past Sunday? Tonyan had 11 touchdowns in 2020, so it should not be shocking that he scored his first TD of the year against New England. He might be rounding into shape after his season-ending knee injury from last year, and that makes him one of the more attractive gets on fantasy waiver wires this week.
Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks
It is not painfully obvious that Seattle traded for Noah Fant so he could be the No. 3 TE on the team. Dissly and QB Geno Smith are no Steve Largent and Jim Zorn, but Dissly has three touchdowns and three 30-plus-yard efforts over his first four games. If you need a spot starter in a league where TDs are extremely helpful, Dissly is a stopgap option.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has too many talented wide receivers to throw to, so Hurst is lucky to get a handful of targets per game. I know he just hauled in his first touchdown of the season last Thursday, but unless the offensive scheme changes or the Bengals' receiving corps is decimated by injuries, Hurst can only be counted on for 25-35 yards each week and one touchdown each month.
Do Not Forget About…
Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings
Smith Jr. is not tearing it up yardage-wise (91 yards in four games) and remains a touchdown-dependent tight end, but he is one Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen injury away from being Kirk Cousins’ No. 2 option in the red zone, and possibly the passing attack.
Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Even though all of Tampa Bay’s receivers returned for their Sunday night game against Kansas City, Brate was somehow targeted a season-high eight times before leaving with an untimely concussion. Hopefully, he will not miss much time. The good news is it appears Brate will still have a role in the passing attack despite the Buccaneers' receiving corps being at full strength.
Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
Watching Baker Mayfield drop back to pass makes me tremble these days. Tight end Tremble was drafted to be Carolina’s pass-catching tight end since veteran Ian Thomas is slow-footed and is more of an expert blocker. Tremble caught three passes for 34 yards in Week 4 after being virtually non-existent during the Panthers' opening three games. Keep an eye on his progress if you are in a dynasty league.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Say his name three times fast and Rex Ryan will say something about his wife’s toes. Okay, I’m kidding. Okonkwo was probably drafted in one out of every 1,000,000 fantasy leagues as not much was expected from the rookie once the Titans brought Austin Hooper in. Okonkwo surprised fantasy pundits with his 38 yards and a touchdown versus Indianapolis, though, and might be in line for more time and targets if he keeps producing.
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