Tight Ends Fantasy Football Waiver Wire - Week 12 TE Pickups Including Jonnu Smith, Taysom Hill, Zach Ertz, Hunter Henry, Will Dissly, Brock Wright, more

Just like retail shoppers know “Black Friday” is coming up, fantasy footballers know that “Black Sunday” is happening during the 12^th week of the NFL regular season.

Why am I calling next week “Black Sunday”? It is because a season-high six teams are on bye, decimating the rosters of fantasy teams hoping to secure playoff spots in their leagues during the coming weeks. Atlanta’s Kyle Pitts, Buffalo’s Dalton Kincaid, Cincinnati’s Mike Gesicki, New Orleans’ Taysom Hill, and Jacksonville’s Evan Engram will all be off.

Need a TE this week? Without further ado, here are the top tight ends available on fantasy waiver wires for Week 12, beginning with the man who is finally forcing some passes to him instead of Tyreek Hill.

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Top Fantasy Football Tight End Pickups for Week 12

Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins

Head coach Mike McDaniel was not able to turn Durham Smythe into a fantasy wunderkind, but after a rough first month he has been able to make the most out of Jonnu Smith’s above-average abilities. Smith has better breakaway speed than most tight ends and flaunted it against Las Vegas this past Sunday. Smith turned eight targets into a half-dozen catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yarder that made fantasy managers giddy in distance leagues.

Jonnu Smith WIDE OPEN for the 57-yard TD!

📺: #LVvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/VMOXPnzMzM

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024

Smith now that a role in Miami’s passing attack and has McDaniel utilizing his special skill set to perfection. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle distracting defensive backs and De’Von Achane keeping linebackers honest, Smith will continue to thrive as long as Tua Tagovailoa can keep himself on the field throwing spirals to him.

Smith is the surefire TE1 in waiver wires this week, especially since he has a home date with division rival New England on Sunday, a team that allowed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to torch the them for four touchdown passes in Week 11.

Other Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Consider Adding

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Taysom Hill batted rib and abdomen injuries early in the season and was probably dropped in many leagues because of it. Those fools! Now look at what Hill is doing! The guy had one of the biggest fantasy outings of the season against Cleveland, piling up 138 yards and three touchdowns rushing while adding eight catches for 50 yards and even 18 yards passing.

The only reason Hill is not No. 1 in this column again is because he and his Saints are on bye, so fantasy managers have to wait until Week 13 to use him if they pick him up. He is worth the wait if you have playoff aspirations down the stretch, though.

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

You knew Zach Ertz was going to score a touchdown against his former team when Washington and Philadelphia collided last Thursday evening. Jayden Daniels' weighted blanket has been targeted seven times or more in three of his past four games and should have no trouble having another good game this week against Dallas’s hapless secondary.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

New England’s offense is obviously better off with rookie signal caller Drake Maye. Hunter Henry has benefitted greatly since the QB change. He has topped the 40-yard mark in five of his last six games, which is something plenty of top tight ends cannot boast. Henry is a solid TE2 that can be started with confidence when your TE1 is out or Henry has a mouthwatering matchup.

Will Dissly, Los Angeles Chargers

The veteran has cemented his status as Justin Herbert’s top tight end and keeps doing enough for me to keep floating his name in this column. Will Dissly racked up 80 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season on Sunday night. He will not make anybody forget about Antonio Gates, but he keeps finding Herbert heaves hitting him between the numbers downfield.

Will Dissly WIDE OPEN for the lead ⚡️

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/LODDMZngtR

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 18, 2024

Do Not Forget About…

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Week 11 was a Isaiah Likely week, not a Mark Andrews week, for the Baltimore passing attack. Likely had four catches for 75 yards against Pittsburgh, which was great considering he had not had that many yards in a game since Week 1. He is an inconsistent, risky fantasy proposition, but feel free to take a flyer on him, especially in dynasty leagues. Likely could be Baltimore’s TE1 in 2025 if the Ravens move on from Andrews.

Theo Johnson, New York Giants

There is not much to get excited about when it comes to the Giants offense, but Theo Johnson has been a pleasant surprise in recent weeks. The fourth-round rookie has 10 receptions for 123 yards and a TD over his last three outings. Johnson also has the perfect matchup this weekend as there should be openings galore against Tampa Bay’s 31^st-ranked pass defense.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Ja'Tavion Sanders has been taking full advantage of Carolina’s full rebuild. He has become one of Bryce Young’s top options in Carolina’s passing “attack” and has flashed the superb skills that made him one of the top tight ends in this past year’s NFL Draft. Sanders should have some extra pep in his step after a week off and thanks to his six catches for 95 yards and a score in the two games prior to his bye.

Brock Wright, Detroit Lions

Brock Wright caught a Jared Goff TD toss against lowly Jacksonville while filling in for the injured Sam LaPorta. If Detroit’s top tight end misses another game with his shoulder problem, do not be surprised to see Wright score again. He has eight career touchdowns on just 52 receptions.

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

It will be interesting to see how Mike Gesicki’s target total is on a weekly basis now that WR2 Tee Higgins is back on the field for Joe Burrow and company. What happened this past Sunday night was not encouraging. Higgins turned 13 targets into 148 yards and a TD. Gesicki was held without a catch on two targets.

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