Welcome to the Week 5 waiver wire watch!
Best fantasy football TE waiver wire pickups for Week 5
Brenton Strange, Jake Tonges highlight the top waiver wire tight end targets entering Week 5.
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Another weekend of action is in the books as we’re officially through the first month of the 2025 NFL season. Whether you won your fantasy league matchup or got absolutely smoked, you’re probably looking for ways to fortify your rosters ahead of next week. That’s where we come in.
We’ll go over some Week 4 TE performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 5. We’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in roughly 60% of leagues at maximum. Keep in mind that byes officially start this week, so you’ll have to put a little bit of extra thought into your lineup strategies in the coming weeks.
Week 5 byes: Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (27.5%)
Strange had yet another productive day in Jacksonville’s 26-21 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, catching six of seven targets for 45 yards at Levi Stadium. He’s tied with Tyler Warren and Brock Bowers for the fifth-most receptions among tight ends through four weeks of the new season and he’s quietly been the most reliable pass-catcher for the Jags so far this year. He continues to fly under the radar in fantasy and would be a nice depth piece to have on your roster.
Week 5 matchup: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 8:15 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Jake Tonges, TE, San Francisco 49ers (3.1%)
Tonges continues to fill in for an injured George Kittle and he had a solid day in San Fran’s loss to the Jags, hauling in three catches for 58 yards and a score. Whether it’s been Brock Purdy or Mac Jones, he’s taken advantage of the handful of looks that he’s gotten, catching 12 of 16 targets through four games. With Kittle still sidelined for a few more weeks, Tonges is still available as a substitute for those needing TE depth.
Week 5 matchup: @ Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks (1.1%)
Barner made the most of his opportunities in Seattle’s 23-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last Thursday, catching all three of his targets for 32 yards and a touchdown for the night. The second-year tight end posted similar numbers against the Steelers two weeks prior and he’s beginning to pop up on fantasy radars. Even if you don’t snatch him off the waiver wire this week, just keep an eye out for him to see how he progresses over the next few weeks.
Week 5 matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Tommy Tremble, TE, Carolina Panthers (0.6%)
Tremble had been a non-factor through the first three weeks of the regular season, but he finally made a notable contribution in Carolina’s 42-13 blowout loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday. The veteran caught five of eight targets for 42 yards and the game’s opening touchdown that briefly put the Panthers on top. It’s looking like another long season for the NFC South franchise and they’re going to be scrambling for anyone on offense to provide a spark, so why not give the tight end some waiver wire consideration?
Week 5 matchup: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET
