Tight ends didn't produce in week 3 as a group like they did in the first two weeks of the season, but the position still..."/> Tight ends didn't produce in week 3 as a group like they did in the first two weeks of the season, but the position still..."/>
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Fantasy Football Week 4 waiver wire pickups: Top 7 TE’s

By Zachary Thompson

Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs after a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) pursues during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chargers beat the Bills 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) runs after a catch as Buffalo Bills inside linebacker Preston Brown (52) pursues during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chargers beat the Bills 22-10. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tight ends didn’t produce in week 3 as a group like they did in the first two weeks of the season, but the position still holds a ton of potential going forward if you can find the right piece to add to your lineup.  There will be a bunch of owners on the prowl for TE on the waiver wire this week, so you’ll need to act quickly and decisively to get your desired pickup.

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One of the reason owners will be rushing to the wire for TE is that there are several good options on bye weeks like Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron.  Another reason is due to the continuing epidemic of injuries in the NFL.  On one of my teams, I thought I was set at the position having drafted for depth with Dennis Pitta and Kyle Rudolph. After both suffered serious injuries in week 3, I’ll be one of the crazed fantasy football owners rummaging through the bargain bin on the waiver wire looking for a TE to fill in the gap.

For the sake of all our waiver wire posts, all players listed are owned in less than 50% of ESPN leagues. If you have a specific question about a TE on your waiver wire or whether or not you should make a move, you can ask always find us at @FansidedFantasy on twitter.

So as you join me in the chase for a waiver wire gem at TE, here are the top 7 options to look for heading into the fourth week of the season.

124. Kelce is the best widely available long-term solution although he’s still working his way into the Chiefs offense.  His star is on the rise as he’s played a higher percentage of plays each week and scored his first NFL touchdown this week against the Dolphins while catching three passes for 36 yards.  He gives KC a big downfield target and both Alex Smith and Coach Andy Reid have made fantasy gold out of TE before.  Look for Kelce’s role to continue to grow to the point where he’s a top-10 TE by the middle of the season.. 11.4% owned. Week 4 vs Patriots. Travis Kelce. 1. player

The next best option won’t be far from Paul this week just across the field as the NFC East rivals meet.  Donnell has emerged as a fringe TE option with 18 catches over the first three games.  He won’t stretch the field like Paul or Kelce, but Donnell will catch passes for the Giants mostly of the check down and short dump-off variety.  The numbers add up and his red zone presence keeps him on the fringes of the top ten this week against Washington although the Redskins did limit Zach Ertz last week.. 3.1% owned. Week 4 @ Redskins. Larry Donnell. 3. player. 31

5.9 % owned. Week 4 @ Lions. Owen Daniels. 4. player. 26. Daniels value gets a boost with Dennis Pitta out for the season as he steps up and takes over the duties of the lead TE in Gary Kubiak’s system which made Daniels a pretty solid TE1 when both he and Kubiak were in Houston.  Daniels should be more involved in the passing game going forward and showed he’s a red zone factor with a pair of TD’s in the Thursday Night Football game week 2.  If you have to count on Daniels to be more involved, here’s one cautionary stat–after Pitta left Daniels finished with one catch for eight yards against the Browns while being targeted only that one time.  Daniels is a high-risk to start this weekend against the Panthers, but he could pan out if you role the dice on the veteran stepping into a new role.

The biggest risk on this list but possible the biggest payout is the potential-laden Ladarius Green. Labeled as Antonio Gates heir-apparent, the Chargers TE finally got involved in his team’s offense this week with four catches for 64 yards against the Bills.  He really didn’t play a significantly higher percentage of snaps, though, and has yet to prove he cone be consistent.  Plus, Gates is still very much a factor in the Chargers passing game and will keep Green on the sidelines for many games this season.  If Green gets the chances, he can be fantasy relevant, but there’s no guarantee that will be the case.. 11.7% owned. Week 4 vs Panthers. Ladarius Green. 5. player. 13

Coby Fleener. 6. player. 46. If you’re having to dig this deep to get a starter for your TE position, you may be in trouble.  Fleener is a solid option but doesn’t have the sizzle to go off and scored a touchdown last week for the first time in seven games.  He is the top tight end in Andrew Luck’s offense, and he has had some decent games in the past, but hopefully you can find something better than this for week 4.. 16.1% owned. Week 4 vs Titans

MarQueis Gray. 7. player. 60. To take an absolute flier in deep leagues, you could grab Marqueis Gray who will be the primary pass-catching option at TE while Kyle Rudolph recovers.  Gray was brought in by offensive coordinator Norv Turner after Gray was with him last season in Cleveland, and it wouldn’t be the first time Turner’s offense makes a previous unheralded option fantasy-relevant.  Gray is worth monitoring as he and QB Teddy Bridgewater make their first starts this weekend against Atlanta, but at this point he’s only ownable in the most desperate of circumstances.. 0.2% owned. Week 4 vs Falcons

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