The tight end position matters greatly in fantasy football. Tight ends are not as flashy as their route-running counterparts at wide receiver. Most of them do not normally 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.
The tight end pool is the shallowest of them all in terms of fantasy. Finding production there weekly can be incredibly challenging, especially for those who did not invest in one of the top options during draft season.
One way to find success at the position is by carefully playing the waiver wire week-to-week. The goal of this weekly article is to help fantasy managers do just that by finding low-rostered tight ends in the best situations for that particular week.
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Fantasy Football Tight End Streamers & Waiver Wire Pickups
Hunter Henry (TE – NE) at MIA | 59% Rostered
Going back to the well with Hunter Henry this week, as he will face a Dolphins defense that surrendered 272 passing yards and a touchdown to the Daniel Jones-led Colts in Week 1. As for Colts tight ends, they finished with eight catches for 96 of those yards, most of that going to first-round rookie Tyler Warren (76 yards on seven receptions).
Henry had a solid season debut, hauling in half of his eight targets from Drake Maye. The veteran tight end gained 66 yards in the loss to the Raiders, highlighted by a 27-yard play during a first-quarter touchdown drive. Henry tied with wide receiver Kayshon Boutte for the most targets on the team, both finishing one ahead of Stefon Diggs‘ seven.
Jonnu Smith (TE – PIT) vs. SEA | 31% Rostered
Jonnu Smith did not have the yards in Week 1, but he did have the volume. Aaron Rodgers looked Smith’s way six times, connecting on five of them for 15 yards. A three-yard score made Smith’s day for fantasy purposes.
Jonnu Smith takes the jet touch pass for a @Steelers TD
PITvsNYJ on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/NKk2ReODKB
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2025
Smith gets a matchup with the Seahawks on Sunday afternoon. The Seattle unit was the only one in the league to allow multiple touchdowns to the tight end position this past week. Rodgers is likely to aim for Smith quite often once again this week,
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE) at BAL | 3% Rostered
Harold Fannin Jr. is going to be one of the most-added players off the waiver wire this week. The rookie out of Bowling Green was utilized in a variety of ways in the Browns’ offense in Week 1, ultimately securing seven of his nine targets for 63 yards in his NFL debut. Fannin even got a carry out of the backfield, though he gained just three yards on it.
Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco fired 45 passes in Week 1, with Fannin being the most targeted of all his options. Flacco will face his former long-time team this Sunday, when the Browns travel to Baltimore. The Ravens allowed the third-most yards to tight ends in Week 1, giving up 97 yards and a touchdown. Fannin has the opportunity for another plus performance even in a tough contest.
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