Hello and welcome to the Week 16 waiver wire watch for tight ends!
Best fantasy football TE waiver wire pickups for Week 16
Colby Parkinson, Gunnar Helm highlight the top waiver wire tight end targets entering Week 16.
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The first week of the fantasy playoffs is in the books and some of you are a step closer to winning your league and claiming bragging rights over your friends. Meanwhile, some of you are fighting for your life in the loser’s bracket and trying to avoid finishing last. Either way, it’s time to start lookiing for ways to fortify your rosters for the next round of the postseason.
We’ll go over some TE performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 16 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max. As a reminder, bye weeks a no longer a thing at this juncture of the year, so every team will be in action for the rest of the way.
Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams (5.2%)
There hasn’t been a bigger tight end touchdown machine in the second half of the season than Parkinson and he continued his tear in the Rams’ 41-34 victory over the Lions on Sunday. The veteran posted his best numbers of the season in this showdown of NFC playoff contenders, catching five of seven targets for 75 receiving yards and two second half touchdowns that were critical for L.A.
That’s now six touchdowns in the last six games for Parkinson and he proved on Sunday that he can be more than just a red-zone target. He’s yet another dangerous weapon in the arsenal for Matthew Stafford and most of you should be able to find him on the waiver wire this week.
Week 16 matchup: @ Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
Gunnar Helm, TE, Tennessee Titans (1.3%)
The Titans are playing out the string of this wretched season but if you squint, you can find something positive to take away from each game. One positive from Sunday’s 37-24 loss to the 49ers was the performance of Helm, who led the team in receiving by catching all four of his targets for 49 yards and a second-quarter touchdown that brought them back to within a score.
The rookie out of Texas has combined for 17 receptions over their last four outings and is starting to become a go-to option for Cam Ward. The Titans have long been in a mode of evaluating their young offensive skill players, so we may see even more of Helm as they close out the campaign.
Week 16 matchup: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears (44.3%)
The Bears spanked the Browns 31-3 on Sunday in a game where they were never in an any danger. Loveland proved to be a danger in his own right as he hauled in four receptions for 63 receiving yards in a victory that kept them square in the NFC North hunt. That marked the third time in the last four weeks where the first-rounder out of Michigan has finished as a top-15 fantasy tight end, so he is putting together worthwhile efforts for managers who have already scooped him up. It’s not too late for you!
Week 16 matchup: vs. Green Bay Packers, 8:20 p.m. ET (Saturday night)
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills (2.3%)
Knox came up huge for the Bills in Foxborough on Sunday as they kept their AFC East title hopes alive in a 35-31 victory. The veteran tight had had three receptions for 37 receiving yards with two of them being second-half touchdowns that helped fuel Buffalo’s second-half comeback. This performance was a direct follow-up to his 93-yard effort against the Bengals the week prior, so he’s establishing a rhythm with Josh Allen late in the year. You may want to try to capitalize.
Week 16 matchup: @ Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET
