The tight end position in fantasy football has been a disaster this season, leaving many managers scrambling for reliable options off the waiver wire.
With very few elite tight ends separating themselves from the pack, identifying sleeper tight ends can be a game-changer for those looking to gain a weekly edge. These underrated pass-catchers can often provide unexpected value, making them crucial targets as potential waiver wire pickups.
As fantasy owners navigate the unpredictable tight end landscape, keeping an eye on emerging talents is essential. Players like Hunter Henry, Noah Fant, and Ja’Tavion Sanders have the potential to surprise, offering some upside and consistency to the position. By strategically identifying these sleeper tight ends, managers can enhance their rosters, turning a challenging position into a source of scoring consistency.
REST OF SEASON SLEEPER TIGHT ENDS
CADE OTTON, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (59% ROSTERED ON YAHOO!)
If Cade Otton is still available in your league, he’s the must-add waiver target. With Baker Mayfield playing out of his mind, Mike Evans on the shelf for a few weeks, and Chris Godwin tragically done for the season, Otton is stepping into a pivotal role in the Buccaneers’ offense.
Otton is coming off a monster Week 7 performance, putting up 22 fantasy points, a career-high 100 receiving yards, and eight receptions. He was already averaging 7.5 targets per game, but now, with Godwin and Evans sidelined, Otton’s volume is set to increase even more. Since Week 3, only Brock Bowers has seen more targets at the tight end position.
Otton is also third on the team in red zone targets, making him a legitimate TE1 candidate moving forward. Expect him to remain in the TE1 conversation for the remainder of the season as he slides in at TE12 on The Wolf’s Rest of Season Rankings.
HUNTER HENRY, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (39% ROSTERED)
Over the past two games with Drake Maye as the Patriots’ starter, Hunter Henry has emerged as a reliable target, boasting a 20% target share. He has averaged 5.5 receptions and 66.5 receiving yards per game—numbers that firmly place him in TE1 territory.
While the question remains whether he can sustain this production level for the remainder of the season, it’s clear that New England needs someone to step up as a dependable option in their passing attack. So far, Henry appears to be the only player capable of consistently fulfilling that role for Maye.
Henry’s increasing involvement makes him an intriguing fantasy option as the Patriots look to improve their offensive attack. If he can maintain this momentum, he could provide significant value for fantasy managers looking for tight end consistency. Henry lands at TE16 on our Rest of Season Rankings.
NOAH FANT, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (30% ROSTERED)
Noah Fant’s season started slow, catching just three of seven targets for 25 yards in his first two games, with a modest 3.6 yards per target. However, he’s been on a tear over the past five games, catching all 21 of his targets for 238 yards—an impressive 11.3 yards per target.
During this span, Fant ranks fifth among all tight ends in receiving yards. If he maintained this pace over a full 17-game season, he’d project for roughly 70 receptions and 800 yards. Remarkably, Fant is the only tight end with over 15 targets who has caught 100% of his passes in this stretch and one of just two players (alongside Evan Engram) to catch every target on more than ten opportunities.
Since Week 3, only a few elite tight ends—Brock Bowers (321 yards), Kyle Pitts (282 yards), George Kittle (259 yards), and Cole Kmet (258 yards)—have more receiving yards than Fant. His efficiency and involvement in the passing game make him a strong fantasy asset moving forward, especially in PPR formats. The Wolf might be sleeping on Fant, placing him at TE21 on his Rest of Season Rankings.
JONNU SMITH, MIAMI DOLPHINS (6% ROSTERED)
Jonnu Smith is gaining momentum as a fantasy option, particularly with Tua Tagovailoa’s return. Currently rostered in just 6% of leagues, he presents a valuable opportunity for fantasy owners looking to boost their tight end room for the second half of the season.
Smith is coming off a massive Week 7 performance, where he recorded 96 yards, scored a touchdown, and caught all seven of his targets. Prior to that, he showed some promise when he had 62 yards on five receptions in Week 5 and 53 yards on six catches in Week 2.
While stars like Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane often dominate the headlines in Mike McDaniel’s offense, there’s still potential for Smith to carve out a meaningful role. Although we shouldn’t expect him to consistently replicate his Week 7 performance, projecting him to average between 40 and 60 yards per game with the occasional touchdown is realistic. This level of production is exactly what many fantasy owners are desperately seeking at the tight end position right now.
Smith could prove to be a valuable addition to your roster as the season progresses. He checks in at TE20 on our Rest of Season Big Board.
JA’TAVION SANDERS, CAROLINA PANTHERS (1% ROSTERED)
It’s time to pay attention to Ja’Tavion Sanders. Over the last four weeks, his usage has steadily increased in nearly all categories, including targets, receptions, yards, and fantasy points.
Sanders is quietly evolving into a reliable weekly option, and the opportunity in Carolina is huge. With Diontae Johnson as the only consistent pass-catcher, Sanders has a clear path to carve out a significant role in an offense with plenty of targets up for grabs.
Over the past three weeks, he’s seen a 19.8% target share and 69.7% route participation en route to a 14-123 stat line on 18 targets.
Remember, Sanders was the consensus TE2 of this draft class. At Texas, he put up solid production in a loaded offense, competing with Xavier Worthy and AD Mitchell. Plus, Sanders brings elite athleticism to the table, having run a sub-4.7 40-yard dash at 245 lbs.
Given his increasing involvement and athletic upside, Sanders could become a second-half fantasy stud. The Wolf is three spots higher on the consensus, ranking him TE25 rest of season.
