Week 13 TE Waiver Wire Targets: Noah Gray, Zach Ertz, Cole Kmet, Will Dissly, Chig Okonkwo and More

We’re breaking up the waiver wire stories for quarterbacks and tight ends this week.

We already looked at the top waiver wire quarterbacks, and will look at the best tight ends here.

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Waiver Wire Options

Looking at tight ends rostered in 75% of leagues or less, Noah Gray, Austin Hooper, Zach Ertz, Luke Schoonmaker, Chig Okonkwo, Cole Kmet, Cade Stover, Tucker Kraft, Pat Freiermuth, Ja'Tavion Sanders/Tommy Tremble, Theo Johnson and Will Dissly are the tight ends we’ll discuss this week.

Gray had 66 yards and two scores on four catches and targets in week 12. He’s now scored four touchdowns over the past two games, and gone over 50 yards twice for the season.

Hooper had 59 yards and a touchdown on four grabs and targets this week. He has at least three catches and 35 yards in each of the past three games.

Ertz went for 38 yards and a score on six receptions and eight targets in week 12. He has at least seven targets, four catches and 30 yards in each of the past three games - he’s scored twice in that span.

Schoonmaker stepped in for an injured Jake Ferguson this week, tallying 55 yards and a score on three grabs and four targets. He had 56 yards on six grabs and 10 targets in week 11 and would remain involved if Ferguson misses another game.

Okonkwo had a 70-yard touchdown grab on his lone target in week 12. He’s caught a pass in every game this season, but only has four games with three or more receptions - he’s hit 50 yards two times now.

Kmet had 64 yards and a score on seven catches and 10 targets this week. It was his second time in double digits for targets this season and fourth time he’s topped 50 receiving yards. 

Stover had 26 yards and a touchdown on three receptions and four targets this week. He has at least two targets in each of the past five games, but this was his first time over 25 yards all season.

Kraft had 26 yards and a score on two grabs and targets in week 12. He’s slowed a bit of late, but did score his sixth touchdown of the year.

Freiermuth had 59 yards on four catches and targets back on Thursday night. He hadn’t topped 20 yards in each of the previous three games and has only hit four targets in five contests this season.

Sanders had 49 yards on three catches and targets before leaving with a neck injury in week 12. If he can’t play in week 13, Tremble (five yards on a catch and two targets) should soak up almost all the TE snaps.

Johnson had 39 yards on three catches and six targets in week 12. He has six targets in three straight games, and between 37-51 yards in those contests.

Dissly plays on Monday night, so you’ll have to watch that game or check back on Tuesday for the Monday night takeaways story to see how Dissly does. He had six targets in each of the previous two games going into Monday’s contest.

Week 13 Matchups

This coming week, Kmet plays the Lions to open a trio of Thursday games. Johnson and Schoonmaker play in the second game of the day before Kraft plays in the nightcap against the Dolphins. Gray plays on Friday afternoon against the Raiders.

Dissly faces the Falcons to kick off Sunday’s games. Freiermuth takes on the Bengals.

Stover goes up against the Jaguars. Hooper faces the Colts, while Ertz and Okonkwo play in the same game. Tremble and maybe Sanders would take on the Buccaneers.

Freiermuth has the best matchup of the bunch, with Gray’s test being nearly as favorable. The matchups for Tremble/Sanders and Stover are also very favorable.

Ertz has a tougher matchup, while Schoonmaker and Kmet have incredibly tough tests ahead. 

Waiver Priority Lists

In terms of the best week 13 streaming options, I’m looking at the most consistent TEs and then the most favorable matchups.

Freiermuth has done enough this season, and is coming off a solid game, to trust in his clash against the Bengals. I’d take him first among this group of TEs.

I’d roll with Dissly here. I like what he’s done of late and think the matchup is favorable enough to keep him rolling. 

Ertz’s matchup is tough, but I also trust him more than anyone remaining, so I’d take him third. He’ll score enough points with several catches, or maybe a score helps him to a good fantasy score.

The rest of the group is a toss up to me, so I’m really trying to play the best matchups.

I’d give Gray a chance against the Raiders. His scoring potential is enticing, and he and Travis Kelce could both star against a defense that really struggles to slow tight ends.

I’d try Hooper against the Colts here. He’s quietly been a good fantasy option of late, and the matchup is good enough to see if he can keep things rolling.

Give me Kraft against the Dolphins here. The matchup is just average, but his scoring upside makes him a better fantasy option.

If Sanders plays, I’d take him here. He’s been trending up, and the matchup suggests another big showing is coming. 

I’d take Johnson here. He’s got an average matchup, but has a safe floor after seeing what he’s done of late.

Give me Okonkwo here. He hasn’t been very consistent, but I trust him and this matchup more than anyone else left. 

I’d give Schoonmaker a chance here, but only if Ferguson is out again. The matchup is tough, but he’s been so involved the past two games that I have to take him over a few guys at least.

Let’s try Kmet here. His matchup is extremely tough, but I’d still want to play him over the final two guys we have available.

I’d take Stover over Tremble for the final spot - Tremble is only an option if Sanders is out, and although his matchup is great, I haven’t seen enough out of Tremble this season to trust. Stover hasn’t contributed a ton, but he’s been more involved, so he gets the slight edge.

As for the season-long waiver options, I’m weighing production so far this season and then the schedule ahead. I’m also thinking heavily about who plays the most, and who might be the second or third tight end on their own team.

I’d roll with Dissly as my top option in this section. I like how he’s trending, and with more favorable matchups ahead, he could be a good starting option more often than not.

I’d take Freiermuth next. His schedule is slightly better than Dissly’s but I trust Dissly more based on what we’ve seen of late.

I’d want Kraft next. His schedule ahead isn’t the greatest, but his scoring potential inside a good Packers’ offense gives me more hope than these other TEs.

I’d take a gamble on Okonkwo here. He’s got the best schedule remaining amongst tight ends, and maybe week 12 got him moving in a positive direction for the stretch run.

Give me Ertz next. He’s got a somewhat tougher schedule ahead, but he’s done enough to trust. Ertz doesn’t have a ton of potential, but a solid floor makes him a weekly option.

I’d take Kmet here. His schedule ahead is brutal, but he’s delivered against tougher defenses before and could again. 

I’d take a gamble on Gray here. His schedule ahead is brutal as well, but on a Chiefs’ offense still looking for pass catchers, maybe he can remain a solid option - the touchdown potential definitely is enticing.

Johnson would go here for me. He’s got a favorable schedule ahead, and really the only reason he’s ranked so low is the Giants’ QB situation and offense as a whole. 

Sanders goes here. He’s got some favorable games ahead, but a neck injury definitely knocks him down a few pegs. Hopefully he’s able to get out there soon.

Hooper falls here for me. He’s shown he can deliver in the Pats’ offense, but some tougher games ahead scare me off him a bit.

Schoonmaker goes here in my book. He’ll be clearly behind Ferguson when he’s healthy again, but maybe Schoonmaker and Cooper Rush have built a connection that will last the rest of the season.

I’d take Stover or Tremble for the last spot again. Both have pretty favorable schedules ahead, but Stover’s is simply better, so he gets the edge.