Trio of tight ends could provide late-season push

• Tennessee's change in offensive coordinators has meant more playing time for TE Jared Cook
• With Titus Young in the Lions' doghouse and Ryan Broyles injured, WR Mike Thomas is in line to start
• Tony Moeaki of the Chiefs, Ben Watson of the Browns can be good fill-ins for injured tight ends

We've been spoiled the last couple of weeks as the waiver wire has had upwards of half a dozen players to be excited about. Players such as Bryce Brown, Danario Alexander and Knowshon Moreno have gone from free agents to fantasy stars.

This week's list is lacking star power, but we do have a trio of tight ends who have emerged as consistent fantasy producers.

Solid pickups

TE Jared Cook, Tennessee TItans

Cook's numbers in the last two weeks are on the rise -- four catches for 51 yards against the Houston Texans last week and six catches for 47 yards the previous week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Of more importance is a major bump in Cook's playing time. A change in offensive coordinators got Cook on the field for more than 80% of the offensive plays and saw him targeted a dozen times. We expect these targets to continue, with his catches rising to the level of between 8-10 per game. Those are solid numbers for a tight end.

WR Mike Thomas, Detroit Lions

Thomas was a 'Deep and/or Dynasty Only' pickup last week on speculation that he would get some time this week while Titus Young was pouting on the bench. This week he rises high enough to be a solid pickup. The Lions will be using Thomas as the starter opposite Calvin Johnson. Ryan Broyles was injured last week, and reports are that he will miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear. Thomas did not do well filling in for the injured Broyles last week, but the Lions have no other options as they are indicating that Young will not be a part of the offense.

WR Chris Givens, St. Louis Rams

Danny Amendola has been injury prone this season, and last week Givens took advantage of his absence. He caught a season-high 11 passes, which was good for 92 yards against San Francisco. Sam Bradford has been latching onto a single wideout during games, and with Amendola on the shelf, it is looking like Givens is going to be that player. He is worth a roster spot in all formats, and in Amendola's absence he is worth starting as a flex.

RB David Wilson, New York Giants

We had Wilson on the radar last week, since he is still available in about half of the online leagues, he gets another mention this week as a solid pickup. The Giants like to spread out the carries between two players, so he and Ahmad Bradshaw are going to get enough opportunity during the game to be productive fantasy players.

RB Alex Green, Green Bay Packers

With reports coming out of Green Bay that James Starks is hurt and likely to miss the rest of the season,Green becomes the only viable option out of the Packers backfield. Green had already been splitting time with Starks just about right down the middle. Outside of goal line specialist John Kuhn, the Packers have no one else they can trust to carry the ball. Look for Green to see the ball 20 times per game, including several passes out of the backfield, with the potential to accumulate 75 yards in total offense with a touchdown per game also likely.

On the radar

WR Donte Stallworth, New England Patriots

Recent injuries at wide receiver and tight end have forced the Patriots to re-sign Stallworth, a player they released in August. Coach Bill Belichick's pet wideout, Julian Edelman, was hurt last week and initial reports are that he may be out for an extended period of time. With Rob Gronkowski on the shelf and Brandon Lloyd a complete non-factor in the passing attack, New England has a need for a short-yardage possession receiver. If Stallworth can re-learn the offense, he'll step in immediately as option No. 3 behind Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez. The return of Gronkowski will bump him down another notch, but he's worth a look in all formats.

TE Tony Moeaki, Kansas City Chiefs

Very quietly, Moeaki has put together an impressive stretch of four games. He's only averaged three catches over that stretch, but he's used those catches well, averaging almost 50 yards over those four games. Not huge numbers, but above average and more importantly, consistent from game-to-game. With so many other tight ends getting hurt, Moeaki is worth a look as a backup or fill-in for your injured starter.

WR Donnie Avery, Indianapolis Colts

The Colts passing game has been extremely hot of late, with Avery being the latest player to have a huge game. Though he could have had more on Sunday, he ended up with five catches on the day, good for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Andrew Luck has been passing for more than 300 yards on a regular basis, which is allowing for plenty of production to be spread between Avery, Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. Avery is worth a look, but we'd like to see some consistent production from him before we tag him with a high recommendation.

TE Ben Watson, Cleveland Brown

Over the last three weeks Watson is averaging just over four catches per game, good for a 50-yard per game average. The touchdown passes have not been there, though he did enjoy a two touchdown afternoon two weeks ago against Dallas. He is worth a look as a backup tight end, or a fill-in for those that are waiting for Rob Gronkowski to return to the playing field.

Doug Coutts writes for FantasySharks.com, a USA TODAY Sports Media Group affiliate