Fantasy Football Playoffs: Five Easiest Schedules for Tight Ends

Tyler Conklin has a very favorable remaining schedule and could be available on your waiver wire.

Congratulations! You have made it to the fantasy playoffs! Now, who are you using at tight end?

Unless you have Travis Kelce, you've probably spent some time on the waiver wire this year looking for tight ends to stream. The good news is there are quite a few streamers still available on the waiver wire that have nice matchups ahead. Of course, you're not sitting Dalton Schultz or TJ Hockenson, but the list of absolute starts at the position is very short.

Fantasy Playoffs Easiest Strength of Schedule
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

Fantasy Playoffs Toughest Strength of Schedule
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

According to strength of schedule, I've chosen the top-five tight ends heading into the fantasy playoffs. Here are the players who should be able to succeed in weeks 15-17.

Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Opponents: DET, JAX, SEA

Strictly according to schedule, Tyler Conklin should be rostered for the fantasy playoffs. Detroit has allowed the fourth-most PPR points this year to TE, while Seattle has allowed the second-most and the Jaguars the ninth-most. On top of that, Conklin ranks fourth in snaps, seventh in targets, and eighth in routes run at the position. Mike White has targeted Conklin 15 times in the past two games, which could be another big boost for this tight end in your fantasy playoffs.

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Opponents: HOU, SEA, DEN

Kelce leads the TE position with 257 points in PPR leagues. Mark Andrews comes in second with 157—a full one hundred points fewer. Not only is Kelce dominating the TE position, but he's also dominating, period. His 257 fantasy points make him 12th overall, ahead of Justin Fields, Geno Smith and Derrick Henry. But, if you rostered Kelce, you probably already knew that. Now, sit back and enjoy as Kelce helps lead you to a title versus very favorable matchups with Houston, Seattle, and Denver.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Opponents: SEA, WSH, LV

George Kittle has a great schedule ahead, beginning with Seattle this week. Add to that no Deebo Samuel, and Kittle should see a bump in targets from whoever ends up at QB for the Niners this season. Purdy targeted Kittle five times last Sunday vs. the Bucs, and Kittle, the TE7 on the season and averaging 46 receiving yards per game, should have a strong finish.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Opponents: CIN, ARI, CAR

Otton starts in Week 15 against the Bengals, who have allowed the eleventh-most points to tight ends. Then in Week 16, he has the best matchup possible with the Cardinals. Arizona has allowed a league-leading 950 yards and nine touchdowns to the position.

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Opponents: LV, CIN, MIA

Henry has been targeted 13 times across the last three games, and he's accumulated 146 yards and a touchdown. The Patriots are down pass-catchers with Jakobi Meyers, Davante Parker, and Rhamondre Stevenson all banged up, and Henry's playoff matchups are all bottom-third of the league vs. the tight end.

Honorable Mentions

Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos
Opponents: ARI, LAR, KC

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Opponents: LAR, MIA, MIN

Ian Thomas/Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
Opponents: PIT, DET, TB

Jelani Woods/Mo Alie-Cox, Indianapolis Colts
Opponents: MIN, LAC, NYG

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Opponents: DAL, NYJ, HOU


Published
Jennifer Piacenti
JENNIFER PIACENTI

Jennifer Piacenti is a fantasy sports and betting analyst for Sports Illustrated. She serves as a host for Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio and has her own podcast, “Waiver Wired,” on the Extra Points podcast network. Piacenti is also a featured expert on MLB Network’s “Bettor’s Eye” and is a member of the esteemed Tout Wars, the fantasy baseball battle of the experts. She is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and is a 2020 Scott Fish Bowl finalist.