Every year, there is a debate about who should be the first drafted quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. However, that isn’t the case at the tight end position. Travis Kelce continues to be an unstoppable force, even at 33 years old. Last year the superstar was the TE1, averaging 15.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
Furthermore, he averaged four more fantasy points per game than any other tight end in 2022. More importantly, Kelce ended the year as the TE1 for the sixth time over the past seven years. The one exception came in 2021 when the superstar was the TE2.
However, the rest of the tight end position is far from certain. While there are a few star players, most of the tight end position is hit or miss. Which ones should fantasy players avoid in 2023? Here are five tight ends I will not draft next year.
Also, check out which running backs and wide receivers I’m avoiding in 2023.
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Tight Ends to Avoid (2023 Fantasy Football)
Darren Waller (NYG)
Waller got traded to the Giants this offseason in a surprising move. Yet, the trade is good for his fantasy value. New York lacks proven wide receivers, which means Waller could lead the team in targets in 2023. The veteran tight end was one of the best in the NFL a few years ago. However, injuries have impacted Waller’s play lately. Over the past two years, the veteran tight end has missed over 40% of the games because of injuries. Furthermore, his production has slipped.
The former Las Vegas star averaged 12.5 half-point PPR fantasy points over his first two years as the starting tight end. Yet, Waller has averaged only 8.8 fantasy points per game over the past two years. Furthermore, the veteran tight end has only 1,053 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the past two seasons after totaling 1,196 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2020. Fantasy players can’t trust Waller to stay healthy for all 17 games next year. Currently, the veteran’s ADP is the TE8 on Underdog Fantasy. If it stays at that spot, Waller is a solid draft pick. However, I expect his ADP to rise over the next few months. He will be off my draft board in 2023 if that happens.
Evan Engram (JAX)
Last year Engram was a popular sleeper candidate. He ended the 2022 season as the TE6, averaging 8.3 fantasy points per game. However, the veteran tight end wasn’t the most consistent player last season. Engram scored half of his fantasy points for the year over a four-week window. Meanwhile, he averaged only 4.5 targets and only 5.4 fantasy points per game in the other 13 games of the year. Over a 17-game space, the veteran would have ended the year as the TE20 with that fantasy points per game average.
While Jacksonville placed the franchise tag on Engram this offseason, that might not be the best thing for his fantasy value. Last year he finished third on the team in targets (98) and receiving touchdowns (four). Unfortunately for him, the Jaguars will have Calvin Ridley next season after the star receiver got reinstated earlier this month. Meanwhile, fantasy players aren’t getting a steal with Engram like they did last year. The veteran has an ADP of TE7 on Underdog Fantasy. Engram will be a bust at that ADP.
Taysom Hill (NO)
Why is Hill listed as a tight end instead of a running back? The former quarterback has just 21 receptions on 31 targets for 227 receiving yards and three touchdowns over the past three years. Yet, he averaged 9.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game during that span, averaging at least 8.5 fantasy points per game every season. Last year Hill was the TE5, averaging 8.8 fantasy points per game. However, his fantasy production came on the ground. The gadget player had 96 rushing attempts for 575 yards in 2022, both career highs. Furthermore, Hill’s seven rushing touchdowns led the team.
However, things in New Orleans have changed this offseason. The team signed Derek Carr, giving them a legit franchise quarterback for the first time since Drew Brees retired. More importantly, the Saints signed Jamaal Williams. The veteran running back is one of the best around the goal line in the NFL. Last year he led the league with 17 rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the team used Hill around the goal line last season, as Alvin Kamara had a down year. That won’t be the case in 2023 with Williams in town.
Mike Gesicki (NE) & Hunter Henry (NE)
Both tight ends had productive 2021 seasons. Henry was the TE9, averaging 8.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, while Gesicki was the TE11, averaging 7.6 fantasy points per contest. However, both tight ends saw their fantasy production fall off a cliff in 2022. Henry was the TE21, averaging only 4.9 fantasy points per contest, while Gesicki was the TE22, averaging 4.8 fantasy points per game. Despite their awful 2022 seasons, fantasy players hoped both could rebound next year.
New England traded Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons before free agency started. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins didn’t place the franchise tag on their former starting tight end. While some will say the Patriots made Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez both top-four tight ends in 2011, this team doesn’t have Tom Brady under center. While New England lost Jakobi Meyers in free agency, New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster to replace him. When picking out a late-round tight end to target, fantasy players want to shoot for as much upside as possible. Unfortunately, Henry and Gesicki will have their fantasy upside limited by the other one on the roster.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
