Tight-end is a fickle position in fantasy football and this season is no different. There is the usual variety of underwhelming options in the back half of the TE1s plus there are also injuries to some of the top players at the position. If you’re looking to stream the position, or need a insurance policy for Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews we’ve got you covered.

All of the options discussed in the article are rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo fantasy leagues. These suggestions are aimed at players in 10-12 team leagues. In shallower leagues there may be better available. In deeper leagues there’s a good chance some of these players will not be available for you.

Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers

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Rostered in 11 % of Yahoo Leagues

Hurst showed an immediate connection with Bryce Young in Week 1. Hurst was a key outlet for Young who saw a lot of pressure in his NFL debut. The veteran turned 7 targets into 5 for 41 yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. Whilst DJ Chark should return next week, he’s primarily a deep threat and shouldn’t be competing for targets with Hurst. His primary competition in the short passing game, Adam Thielen, played 88% of snaps despite injury concerns going into Week 1. 

This week’s match-up against the New Orleans Saints’ isn’t a great one on paper. They were the stingiest defence to Tight Ends last season, and started this season without giving up a reception to Titans tight-ends. Admittedly, Chig Okonkwo was terribly overthrown by Tannehill when wide open deep on a trick play. Despite the tough match-up, we’re betting on Hurst seeing plenty of volume in another game where Bryce Young should be under pressure from the off.

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

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Rostered in 19 % of Yahoo Leagues

Rookie, Luke Musgrave is a player I’ve been fond of all off-season. In his debut game he turned 4 targets (2nd on the team) into 3 catches for 50 yards as the Packers eased past the Chicago Bears. It could have been more as Musgrave fell down making a catch in space for what would have been a walk-in touchdown. He also ran the most routes of any Packers receiver and has already established a clear every down role going forward.

Next week may see the return of Christian Watson to complicate the target distribution. However, in a game that Green Bay should control they may not take the risk with him or Aaron Jones who picked up a minor hamstring injury in Week 1. Either way, the match-up is fantastic against the Atlanta Falcons who just gave up 5 catches and a solid fantasy day to Hayden Hurst. They were also a plus match-up for tight ends all last season.

Other Options

Logan Thomas (2% rostered) had 8 targets against for the Redskins against the Cardinals. The match-up against Denver is pretty solid based on last years points-allowed.

Hunter Henry (16% rostered) caught 5 for 56 and a TD in Week 1 and is the clear preferred option over Mike Gesicki for the Patriots. A week two game against Miami is a pretty good spot to target.

One of Sean Payton’s favourites, Adam Trautman (0% rostered), had a solid start in Denver with 5 for 34 yards against the Raiders. Now fellow TE Greg Dulcich is headed for an MRI on a leg injury he should be the clear starter against Washington in Week 2.

Durham Smythe (0% rostered) shockingly out-targeted Jaylen Waddle in Week 1. He saw both red-zone and deep targets, although he only turned 7 targets into 3 catches for 44 yards. If he continues to have a solid role, he’ll have some big weeks in the Miami offence.

Interested in reading more? Check out our Rookies to Watch series here. Follow on twitter @ThinkingFantasy for more thoughts and notifications when new articles go live!