Player Outlooks
Week 3 TE Waiver Wire: Dalton Schultz Offers the Best Combination of Volume and Availability
Dalton Schultz just drew 14 targets with Nico Collins sidelined, while Darren Waller's role is growing in Carolina. Here are the best Week 3 tight end waiver options.
Tight end gets ugly quickly once you move beyond the handful of players fantasy managers trust every week.
Week 3 at least gives us several interesting options.
Dalton Schultz is the safest combination of demonstrated target volume and availability, while Darren Waller offers a much different bet on a role that could continue growing.
1. Dalton Schultz — Texans (21% in ESPN Week 3 waiver coverage)
Schultz exploded against Cincinnati with 12 catches on 14 targets for 140 yards.
Some context is necessary. Cincinnati has been extremely friendly to opposing tight ends, Houston was playing from behind, and Nico Collins was unavailable with a hamstring injury.
We shouldn't project 14 targets again.
We also shouldn't dismiss what Schultz has done.
He drew eight targets in Week 1 with Collins active, then became Houston's clear volume receiver when Collins missed Week 2. If Collins remains sidelined, Schultz's short-area role gives him one of the better floors available on the waiver wire.
Even if Collins returns, Schultz has already shown enough involvement to remain streamable.
Priority: High
2. Darren Waller — Panthers (3%)
Waller is almost the opposite type of add.
He caught only three passes in Week 2 — but two were touchdowns.
Chasing that touchdown rate would be a mistake. The reason to add Waller is that Carolina increased his route participation from 39.5% in Week 1 to 56.4% in Week 2.
The Panthers appear to be gradually increasing the veteran's workload after his late arrival.
If the routes continue trending upward while Waller maintains a red-zone role, his fantasy ceiling becomes interesting quickly.
Priority: Medium-high
3. Pat Freiermuth — Steelers (22%)
Freiermuth is the matchup play.
He has seen five targets in each of Pittsburgh's first two games, which gives him a usable baseline without requiring a touchdown.
Now he gets Cincinnati.
After watching the Bengals allow Schultz to pile up 12 catches and 140 yards, fantasy managers searching for a one-week tight end streamer should immediately notice the matchup.
Freiermuth may not have Schultz's Week 2 momentum or Waller's touchdown upside, but he may have the cleanest Week 3 setup.
Priority: Medium-high for Week 3
4. AJ Barner — Seahawks (6%)
Barner is the deeper streamer.
Seattle gets Washington in Week 3, and the Commanders have already allowed significant tight end production early in the season.
Barner isn't someone we need to force onto shallow-league benches. He's an option for managers who missed the first three names and need a playable matchup.
Priority: Deep streamer
Which profile do you need?
If you're looking for the best combination of volume and floor, Schultz is the add.
If you already have a usable starter and want to take a swing on a player whose role could expand, Waller is more interesting.
If this is purely about surviving Week 3, Freiermuth's matchup with Cincinnati deserves serious consideration.
FF Draft Boards Week 3 TE priority
- Dalton Schultz
- Darren Waller
- Pat Freiermuth
- AJ Barner
All four were at 50% or lower in ESPN-based Week 3 waiver coverage when researched. Roster percentages can change quickly once waivers begin processing.