There’s no debating that Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are foundational dynasty pieces and provide a significant positional advantage over the field. With this stardom comes a price tag that’s not always affordable, especially in tight end-premium formats. If acquiring one of these two tight ends is not feasible, who should we pivot to? I’ve got the answers for you below.
While I agree with the sentiment that the tight end landscape is somewhat barren in today’s NFL, several names are still undervalued. To determine value discrepancy, I compared my dynasty tight end ranks on FantasyPros versus expert consensus rankings (ECR). Let’s dive right in and see which tight ends I’m targeting this offseason.
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Dynasty Trade Targets: Tight Ends
Cade Otton (TE – TB)
- My Rank: TE16
- ECR: TE20
Cade Otton isn’t the flashiest player in the world, but he’s a sensible dynasty target. Otton is coming off a TE12 finish with 10 PPR points per game in 2024. That doesn’t sound overly exciting at first glance, but he’s only entering his age-26 season. The age apex for tight ends is typically considered to be between 27-29 years old, so Otton likely hasn’t entered his prime yet.
In 2024, Otton finished as the TE9 in targets (87), TE2 in route participation (85.5%) and TE1 in snap share (92.8%). He’s trusted enough to see the field constantly as a run blocker. This is huge because if Otton is on the field for run block situations, he’s also on the field for play-action. Otton saw 326 run-block snaps in 2024, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), ranking 14th in the NFL.
Otton doesn’t come without his flaws. His efficiency numbers, such as his yards per route run and target rate, are below average. Otton is not the most explosive athlete and he’s had his fair share of drop issues. He’s not an elite real-life talent, but his current role as an every-down player on a pass-heavy offense makes him an excellent value.
You can likely get him for a mid-2025 second-round pick in Superflex formats. With Mike Evans heading into his age-32 season and Chris Godwin coming off a major ankle injury (if he even returns to Tampa), opportunity could be at an all-time high for Otton.
- My Rank: TE15
- ECR: TE19
We saw some signs Mark Andrews may be nearing the end of the road this past season. He was used sparingly in the first four weeks of the season, though he may have still been recovering from his severe ankle injury in 2023, followed by the car accident before the 2024 season. Even so, Andrews is entering his age-30 season and his final year on contract with Baltimore.
Likewise, Likely is also in a contract year, but he’s five years younger and showed some real promise in 2024. Likely is a vertical threat for Lamar Jackson, something Andrews no longer brings to the table.
Likely is as versatile as they come, with the ability to play in-line, in the slot or out wide. He’s a good separator and is dangerous after the catch. He’s the heir apparent to Andrews. Likely and Andrews should be valued similarly for dynasty purposes. Being a contract year, Likely has plenty of incentive to play well and earn himself a big second contract. I think 2025 could be the year we see a true Isaiah Likely breakout.
Isaiah Likely TE1 season loading ⏳ pic.twitter.com/rvAbpggToi
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) February 14, 2025
Rookie Tight Ends
With the rookies, we can’t truly trade for them yet unless you’ve already completed your rookie drafts or have finished a startup that included rookie players. But to bring you the best tight end values, I couldn’t leave them off my list.
Here’s a quick breakdown of where I have my top rookie tight ends ranked on FantasyPros versus ECR for dynasty:
| My Rank | ECR Rank | |
| Tyler Warren | TE4 | TE9 |
| Colston Loveland | TE5 | TE12 |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | TE8 | TE22 |
| Mason Taylor | TE19 | TE35 |
| Elijah Arroyo | TE23 | TE37 |
Looking at the chart, you may think I’m crazy to be this far ahead of expert consensus on rookies. Allow me to make my case.
I’d venture to say only two tight ends are true league-winning options in dynasty today: Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. You can add Sam LaPorta in there if you want; I wouldn’t, but I won’t push back on it. After that, we’re looking at the following players for ECR: George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, David Njoku and Dalton Kincaid.
Except for Kincaid, we’re looking at older prospects who are either past their prime, have legitimate injury concerns, or both. Kincaid is a young, possibly ascending asset, but he doesn’t see the field enough to be a true difference-maker. He’s essentially Kyle Pitts.
Neither Kincaid nor Pitts are trusted as run blockers, which removes them from the equation on nearly all play-action calls. Kincaid is fine as a fantasy asset when he sees the field, but a 62.7% route participation isn’t going to cut it.
With Warren and Loveland, we’re looking at guys who are near locks to go in round one of the 2025 NFL Draft. Loveland, unfortunately, may end up in a situation similar to Kincaid and Pitts. He was not used frequently as a run blocker in 2024. If he’s not asked to do so in the NFL, this could cap his ceiling. The value insulation should be there for these guys in case we want to move off them quickly.
My same overall strategy applies to the next three prospects (Harold Fannin, Mason Taylor and Elijah Arroyo). I will always advocate rolling the dice on the mystery box prospects, seeing how the dynasty tight end landscape is starving for production.
If they hit, you’re paid massive dividends. If they don’t hit, you should still have a sell window. For the most part, the dynasty community understands it takes longer for tight ends to develop than wide receivers or running backs. They simply have more to learn at the position.
Don’t let the tight end position remain a weakness for your dynasty rosters. Go out and buy these tight ends this offseason while the price is palatable and don’t be afraid to grab these rookie tight ends in your upcoming rookie drafts.
I can be reached on X @jim_DFF if you have any questions or comments. Give me a shout and let’s talk some fantasy football.
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