- The tight end waiver-wire pool is relatively deep: The PPR TE1 from Week 1, Juwan Johnson, is available in more than 96% of leagues.
- Read more about high-upside waiver-wire pickups: PFF fantasy football analyst Nathan Jahnke broke down the data from all Week 1 games to provide the top options on the waiver wire ahead of Week 2.
- Unlock your edge with PFF+: Access Premium Stats, dominate fantasy with in-season tools and projections and make smarter bets with the new PFF Player Prop Tool.
Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
If you drafted George Kittle in fantasy football, you likely spent early capital on him. And now, he is set to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury.
Don't panic. Fortunately for Kittle managers, the waiver wire is unusually deep at tight end this week. Here's how to navigate the situation, headlined by two intriguing waiver-wire targets.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (3.7% rostered)
Week 1’s PPR TE1 is available in more than 96% of leagues after an 11-target, eight-catch and 76-yard outing.
The advanced metrics back up Johnson's breakout. He posted a 26.8% target share in Week 1, ranking fourth among tight ends, behind only Dallas Goedert, Tyler Warren, and Trey McBride. He also tied for first in red-zone targets (two) and drew significant looks from the slot (six targets) and during the two-minute drill (four targets, most among tight ends).
If you’re in a FAAB league, this is the type of player worth overbidding on to cover Kittle’s absence. Johnson not only provides short-term stability but also offers upside if his usage holds.
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (2.8% rostered)
Fannin was one of Week 1’s surprise breakouts. Although the rookie is a riskier waiver add than Juwan Johnson, his usage was encouraging. He saw nine targets, turning that into seven receptions and 63 yards. He even mixed in a rushing attempt.
Interestingly, Fannin was outsnapped by David Njoku (61 to 51), yet he commanded a 22.0% target share compared to Njoku’s 12.2%. That kind of involvement is eye-catching for a player who finished as TE6 in Week 1.
It's unknown whether Fannin will continue to outpace Njoku in targets, but for George Kittle managers in need of a short-term replacement, he is a worthwhile pickup with upside.
Reports suggest Kittle will miss three to five weeks. In the meantime, securing one of the two tight ends highlighted above should give you reliable production. Continue to monitor other Week 1 standouts with strong target shares as potential streaming options.
Other TEs with High Target Rates
- Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals: 22.7% (2.6% rostered)
- Hunter Henry, New England Patriots: 19.0% (48.2% rostered)
- Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders: 17.2% (46.7% rostered)
- Chig Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans: 16.0% (23.5% rostered)
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