Need a tight end? Ladarius Green and Zach Ertz are strong pickups in fantasy football

Dec. 3 (UPI) -- With fill-in tight ends like Delanie Walker injured and former No. 1 options like Jordan Cameron failing to produce, some fantasy owners might be turning to the waiver wire to get a free agent in advance of the start of the fantasy playoffs or last week of the season (depending on league).

Two options to consider are San Diego Chargers TE Ladarius Green and Philadelphia Eagles TE Zach Ertz.

Green has emerged as a top target for Phillip Rivers over the past three weeks and has been targeted at least five times over that span with two touchdowns. Even more encouraging, the 23-year-old played on 61 of a possible 67 snaps on offense in Week 13 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals. Former All Pro TE Antonio Gates saw 62 reps as the two tight ends often shared the field. "That's a package we're building," Gates said. "It'll be good for us to help us win football games."

Green, a 2012 fourth-round pick, scored the Chargers' only touchdown on a 30-yard catch. Coach Mike McCoy was quite complimentary of Green's work. "I think overall he did a pretty good job," McCoy said. "I think there are some things he’s going to look at and say, 'I could have run some routes differently and done some things in the running game better.' But he’s made the most of every opportunity he’s gotten this year. He’s done a nice job for us.”

Although Nick Foles got much of the ink for the Eagles following Sunday's Week 13 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Ertz was due for some praise of his own after catching five passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie was able to capitalize on the defense focusing on big-play threats DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy, and now has 12 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games.

Although he wasn’t on the field as much as Green (38 of a possible 78 snaps), Ertz been on the field for the Eagles more in recent weeks which means that he deserves consideration of being in fantasy lineups. However, given his upside, Green is certainly the preferred option.

[Union-Tribune San Diego]