Hello and welcome to the Week 12 tight end waiver wire watch!
Another weekend of NFL action has wrapped up and and don’t look now, but we’re rapidly approaching Thanksgiving and that means the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner. So you better start getting things in order for a postseason run.
We’ll go over some TE performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 12 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max.
Week 12 byes: Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, Washington Commanders
Darnell Washington, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (1.1%)
It wasn’t pretty, but the Steel Curtain got the job done against the Bengals with help from Washington, who was stiff-arming defenders left and right in the 34-12 rout. The third-year tight end out of Georgia grabbed four targets for 67 yards and a touchdown, a new career mark for him. This was his fourth 3+ reception game in his last six outings and he’s managed to get on the field for a decent amount of snaps alongside Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth. Keep him in mind as he could become a useful target for Aaron Rodgers as Pittsburgh tries to secure the AFC North title.
Week 12 matchup: @ Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET
Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans (52.3%)
Schultz has been a reliable hand for the Texans and came through with six receptions for 51 yards in their 16-13 win over the Titans on Sunday. The veteran has been flying under the radar as he ranks in the top 10 among tight ends in categories like receptions, yards, and target share, but his fantasy value has been depressed by his lack of touchdowns on the year. Nevertheless, he’s been a go-to option for both C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills and that should continue moving forward.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams (0.6%)
Parkinson only caught two receptions for 14 yards in Sunday’s 21-19 victory over the Seahawks, but one of them was a six-yard touchdown that extended the Rams’ lead in the fourth quarter. It was his second straight week with a score and he’s been gradually getting more opportunities on the field in recent weeks, staying on the field for 69% of the offensive snaps in the win. If you’re looking for a red-zone tight end, he’ll be readily available with a rostership of less than one percent.
Week 12 matchup: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m. ET
A.J. Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks (11.6%)
The flipside of that Rams-Seahawks battle saw Seattle come up short in a game where Sam Darnold threw four interceptions. In between those picks were a steady diet of targets to Barner, who came down with 10 receptions for 70 yards in the setback. The third-year pass catcher has been flying under the radar as a serviceable fantasy option this year and has been a scoring threat with four touchdowns on the season. He has the chance to put up another quality performance against the lowly Tians this Sunday.
Week 12 matchup: @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
