The tight end position matters greatly in fantasy football. They are not as flashy as their blazing-fast, route-running counterparts at wide receiver. They do not get the same volume of touches as fantasy-relevant running backs. That can sometimes lead to them being overlooked or treated as an afterthought. Do not make that mistake.

Tight end is the shallowest position of them all. Finding production there every week can be incredibly challenging, especially for those that did not draft or since manage to land one of the top handful of options.

Success can be found at the position by carefully playing the waiver wire week-to-week. The goal here is to help fantasy managers do just that by finding low-rostered (under 75 percent) tight ends sitting in the best situations for the particular week.

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• Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Quarterback Streamers
• Fantasy Football Usage Report: Waiver Wire & Trade Advice
• Fantasy Football Week 6 Waiver Wire FAAB Advice: Players to Target, Stash & Drop
• Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 6

Tight End Waiver Wire Options (Week 6)

Evan Engram (TE – JAC) at Indianapolis Colts

Following a couple of disappearing acts the previous two weeks, Engram reemerged in the Jaguars’ passing attack this past Sunday. Despite a tough day for his offense as a whole, the veteran tight end hauled in six of his 10 targets for a season-high 69 yards in a loss to the Texans.

Before Week 5, Engram’s best game of the year had been against the Colts back in Week 2. During that 24-0 victory, he came up with seven grabs for 46 yards. He will again get another shot at the AFC South rival this week.

The Colts rank right near the middle of the pack in pass defense overall, but they have been vulnerable against tight ends, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to the position so far. Engram should get plenty of looks from Trevor Lawrence once again.

Cade Otton (TE – TB) at Pittsburgh Steelers

Otton has put himself on the map the last two weeks, even with the improving health situation of the Buccaneers’ talented group of pass catchers. The fourth-round rookie out of the University of Washington grabbed three passes for 29 yards in Week 4. Then, he followed that effort with six receptions for 43 on seven targets in Sunday’s win over the Falcons.

Veteran TE Cameron Brate (concussion) was out of action for the Buccs in Week 5, leading to Otton’s 94-percent snap share. Even if Brate can return this week, Otton should still see plenty of time on the field and attention from Tom Brady.

The Steelers have done fairly well at containing opposing tight ends to this point, but their pass defense ranks among the league’s bottom few teams. Otton has not found the end zone on any of his 10 catches. That could soon change, as only two teams have surrendered more passing touchdowns (11) than the Steelers.

Irv Smith Jr. (TE – MIN) at Miami Dolphins

Smith has yet to deliver what could be considered a “big” fantasy performance this season. He has been consistently involved in the Vikings’ passing game each of the last four weeks.

In that span, Smith has been on the field for well over 50 percent of the snaps and averaged nearly six targets per game from Kirk Cousins. Against a tough Bears pass defense in Week 5, Smith brought down four of five targets for 42 yards. The 24-year-old TE is eyeing a much more favorable matchup this Sunday.

The Dolphins have given up the third-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards to opposing tight ends on the year. They have only allowed two scores to the position, but that seems likely to increase. Smith may not have a huge upside, given the Vikings’ other options through the air. Though, he should provide a decent floor in deeper formats.

Nate Miller is a featured writer at FantasyPros and an 8-year veteran of the fantasy sports industry. For more from Nate, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @Miller_RotoDad.