RADIO
While there were plenty of movers and shakers on the fantasy scene, the tight end position didn't see as much volatility. Injuries have been the biggest story in the tight end world, but the tight ends remained healthy, at least during this past week.
So here we are, feverishly looking to analyze statistics and projections to justify an addition to our fantasy football teams.
Below are my Week 8 waiver wire adds for tight ends. Following this past week's games, this is a list of tight ends you should consider adding to your roster.
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Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 8
Tyler Kroft (TE, CIN) - 15% owned (FAAB Bid: 2%)
Tyler Kroft looks an awful lot like Tyler Eifert out there. Andy Dalton likes his TE and he likes his TE around the red zone. Kroft has caught at least four passes in three straight games and has three touchdowns over that span. The state of the TE is improving a bit and Kroft is helping the cause. He's a viable back end TE1.
Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - 43% owned (FAAB: 4%)
Jack Doyle has 18 targets and 13 receptions over his past two games. The Colts offense is terrible and Andrew Luck is not coming back, but Jacoby Brissett checks it down a lot and despite Doyle's struggles, he's seeing consistent volume. There are good TEs on bye this week. Doyle is a great replacement option.
Jared Cook (TE, OAK) - 40% owned (FAAB: 3%)
Jared Cook is another bye week replacement option for week 8. Cook caught a season high six balls for 107 yards last Thursday and now heads to Buffalo where the Bills just let O.J. Howard score twice. Cook has never put it all together nor been consistent, but TE is rough this week and he's a starting option with a safe target floor that won't get you zero.
Deeper League Options
Jonnu Smith (TE, TEN) - 1% owned (FAAB Bid: 0%)
Delanie Walker's sprained ankle as all the looks of a multi week injury as he was spotted on crutches post game. The Titans are off this week and their offense completely sputtered against the Browns, but if Walker is out, Jonnu Smith will be the main TE. He's good enough to make that work and is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues if you really need a TE.
Must Hold Tight Ends
The following players are a complete and exhaustive list of all the Tight Ends you absolutely cannot drop. Anyone not listed below can be safely cut.
Initially, I was going to list a couple names that you can drop if you needed to. Upon review of the state of the tight end position, I am amending my approach on the fly. If your TE is not found listed below, that does not mean you should run out and drop him right now. Don't do that. Just understand that if you had to drop him, you should not feel compelled to keep him because of something like ownership percentage or name value.
- Rob Gronkowski (TE, NE)
- Travis Kelce (TE, KC)
- Zach Ertz (TE, PHI)
- Hunter Henry (TE, LAC)
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE, NYJ)
- Cameron Brate (TE, TB)
- Evan Engram (TE, NYG)
- Jimmy Graham (TE, SEA)
Despite Jordan Reed's breakout performance, I am not adding him to this list. We all knew this was possible. The issue is that it is unreliable and unpredictable. I believe game script and the injury to Jordan Hicks played a huge role in Reed's week 7 breakout. His snap share was still under 80%. I want to see it again before I permit him to reenter the circle of trust.
