Fantasy Football TE Sleepers for Week 3: 5 Tight Ends to Consider

Finding the right fantasy football TE sleepers can make a huge impact in Week 3, especially for managers dealing with injuries, difficult matchups or tough start-sit decisions. Aside from the obvious weekly starters, several tight end sleepers could be positioned for increased opportunities this week.

Each week, we highlight five tight ends who have a path to outperform expectations because of their role, matchup, recent usage or opportunities in their offense. These picks can help season-long fantasy football managers looking for a sleeper or FLEX option, while DraftKings salaries are included for players who are also in good spots to provide DFS value.

Best Fantasy Football TE Sleepers for Week 3

Here are five fantasy football TE sleepers to consider for Week 3. A quick analysis for each tight end is below.

1. Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers ($3,500)
2. Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets ($3,500)
3. Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers ($3,400)
4. AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks ($3,100)
5. Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings ($2,500)

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers ($3,500)

Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Gadsden showed major upside as a pass-catching tight end last year but was stuck behind David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) on the depth chart. With both Njoku and Kolar on IR, Gadsden should get all the tight end work he can handle against the Bills, who have allowed the 10th-most FPTS to the position this season. Last week, Gadsden posted a solid 9.8 FPTS and his first touchdown of the season.

Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets ($3,500)

Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Mason Taylor (thumb) has played most of the tight end snaps for the Jets this season but will miss Week 3’s matchup with the Lions. No team in the NFL has allowed more fantasy points to tight ends than the Lions, so Sadiq could be in a great spot to go off. The first-round pick has three targets in each of his first two NFL contests, producing 11.4 and 3.7 FPTS.

Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers ($3,400)

Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Waller isn’t playing full time, but he is a main option in the red zone for the Panthers. He had a touchdown called back due to a penalty in Week 1 and scored twice in Week 2 on his way to 18.3 FPTS. He has caught all five of his targets for 61 yards over two weeks and should continue to produce in a role that could expand as he adjusts to the playbook and system.

AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks ($3,100)

Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: With Sam Darnold ($5,400) back at QB, Barner could be more involved in the offense in Week 3 vs. the Commanders, who have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season. Barner has caught all three of his targets this season and converted a one-yard touchdown run last week in the “Barn Yard” formation near the goal line. He had 7.9 FPTS in Week 2 and is a solid sleeper option again in Week 3.

Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings ($2,500)

Why he’s a Week 3 fantasy football sleeper: Oliver caught two passes for 22 yards in Week 1 and one pass for 24 yards in Week 2, even in the rain in Chicago. The Vikings’ second TE played 65% and 60% of snaps, and with Kyler Murray ($5,100) back under center this week, the Vikings’ passing game should be more potent against the Bucs in Tampa. At the minimum salary, Oliver brings sneaky sleeper upside.

Last Week’s Fantasy Football TE Sleeper Results

Here’s how our five fantasy football TE sleeper picks performed last week:

• T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings: 5.9 FPTS
• Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans: 29 FPTS
• Darren Waller, Carolina Panthers: 18.3 FPTS
• David Njoku, Los Angeles Chargers: 1.9 FPTS
• John Bates, Washington Commanders: 0.0 FPTS

Fantasy Football TE Sleepers FAQ

Who are the best fantasy football TE sleepers for Week 3?

Oronde Gadsden II, Kenyon Sadiq, AJ Barner, Darren Waller and Josh Oliver are five tight ends to consider as fantasy football sleepers for Week 3.

What is a fantasy football TE sleeper?

A fantasy football TE sleeper is a tight end outside the most obvious weekly starters who has an opportunity to outperform expectations because of factors such as an expanded role, increased targets, injuries, recent usage or a favorable matchup.

Can these TE sleepers also be used in DraftKings DFS lineups?

Some fantasy football TE sleepers can also provide DFS value when their DraftKings salary does not fully reflect their projected role or upside. DraftKings salaries are included above to help identify players who may be useful in both season-long fantasy football and DFS contests.