When it comes to fantasy football, few topics spark more debate than the most polarizing players-those whose values vary wildly from one expert to another. These are the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends that divide rankings, dominate draft-day discussions, and often determine whether you’re a contender or pretender. In this article, we asked our collection of Featured Pros to weigh in on one player at each key position with a high standard deviation, meaning analysts are all over the board in how they rank them. Whether it’s a breakout candidate you should be targeting or a risky pick to fade, our experts share who they’re significantly higher or lower on and why. Let’s dive into the most hotly debated Tight Ends ahead of the 2025 fantasy football season.
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Polarizing Fantasy Football Players: Tight Ends
Polarizing Players: Tight Ends
Who is one TE with a high standard deviation you are higher or lower on and why?
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
“I think I’m higher on Colston Loveland than other experts. While the Chicago Bears do have plenty of solid pass catchers, the Bears didn’t use the 10th overall pick on him for no reason. Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet were underwhelming last year, and Luther Burden is already missing valuable time, according to head coach Ben Johnson himself. We know Johnson loves using his tight ends, and I’m having a tough time seeing the reason that Loveland can’t immediately step into that role. If/when he does, he’ll easily finish higher than his current TE11 ADP.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)
“Colston Loveland is currently the 12th tight end selected in drafts, and I can’t get on board that train in 2025. I am a huge believer in the talent, but the weapons are just too plentiful in Chicago at the moment. Yes, Loveland is better than Cole Kmet, but Kmet has proven to be an above-average player at the position and won’t fade away completely this year. Then there’s the dynamic WR trio of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden, who are sure to earn targets. And, of course, D’Andre Swift is a significant target hog out of the backfield. Loveland has the talent, but he will not have the opportunity to cash in as a top 12 TE this season.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Mark Andrews (TE – BAL)
“Mark Andrews, TE, Ravens: Andrews recorded a huge 20% TD rate in 2024. That came despite a drop in route rate (73% in 2023 to 67% last fall). I expect his route involvement to remain at a similar level, especially with Isaiah Likely entering his prime years. In other words, expect a meaningful drop in TDs for Andrews.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Jonnu Smith (TE – MIA)
“I am significantly lower on Jonnu Smith (2.1 standard deviation) than the consensus rankings (TE7). Last year, he was the TE4, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The veteran led the Dolphins with 88 receptions and eight receiving touchdowns, setting career highs in both categories. However, fantasy players should avoid drafting him anywhere near his TE7 ranking. Smith will be on the wrong side of 30 when the 2025 season starts. Players rarely have a breakout year this late in their career and maintain that level of success. Don’t be surprised if Smith becomes the next Gary Barnidge, having a career season late in his career and returning to irrelevance the following year.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Drafting a TE that saw 77% of his targets come within 9 yards of the LOS seems like a good way to get in trouble, even if they’re exciting with the ball in their hands, like Jonnu Smith. In Jonnu’s 8-year career, we’ve had two 8+PPG campaigns. Both were on the back of 8 TD seasons. Set the o/u on Jonnu TDs in 2025 yourself, and you’ll probably be inclined to avoid Jonnu at cost.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)
Evan Engram (TE – DEN)
“While injuries limited him to nine games last year (TE16 in points per game), Evan Engram still averaged over five catches per contest – classic PPR production. Engram has a history of strong Year 1 impacts with new teams (TE6 in first seasons with both the Giants and Jaguars). He now steps into a likely high-volume role in Denver with no established receivers behind Courtland Sutton. If he stays healthy, a return to top-five fantasy tight end status is well within reach in Sean Payton’s offense. In 2023, he posted a career-best 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns, proving to be a high-volume target in Jacksonville’s offense as the TE4 in fantasy points per game. He’s ready to embrace the Joker role in the Broncos offense. WHY SO SERIOUS?”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Evan Engram is a good player, but it’s hard for me to see him thriving in the Mile High City. The Broncos’ defense is better than the Jaguars. The domino effect of having a good defense means Denver will be less likely to pass, imo. Also, while Bo Nix is good, he’s not elite. Also worth noting, Engram’s best games came when the Jaguars’ starting WRs went down with injuries. In addition, Engram’s hamstring issues could flare up more frequently in a cold-weather city like Denver. Evan Engram is good enough to make me look foolish with this call, of course, my readers would respond…”Ringo, my man, that ship has sailed,” haha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)
“Now that Evan Engram is off to Denver, the TE1 throne in Jacksonville belongs to Brenton Strange. Currently, the TE31 in the ECR and my TE17, Strange has an immediate pathway to fantasy relevance. With the departures of just Engram, Christian Kirk, and Gabe Davis, 153 targets have immediately opened up in the Jacksonville offense. Strange sits behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter in the pecking order for targets, but could develop as the third option given Trevor Lawrence‘s desire to get the tight end position involved on offense. For someone who will be free on draft day, Strange is one to monitor very closely and is worth the late-round selection.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Tyler Warren (TE – IND)
“Count me as one of the experts who will fade both rookie tight ends, Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, on draft day. Fantasy football managers are getting used to seeing a rookie TE dominate, as we had Brock Bowers in 2024 and Sam LaPorta in 2023. Bowers may be a unicorn, but he was also the only reliable target (no offense, Jakobi Meyers) on a terrible offense for a series on inexperienced QBs, and LaPorta simply fell into a great offense with shaky WRs after Amon-Ra St. Brown. Loveland will be fighting for scraps to see targets, and Warren will be fighting to see catchable balls from Daniel Jones/Anthony Richardson. Both Warren and Loveland may be great someday, but not on fantasy teams in 2025.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“Kyle Pitts is a player that I just can’t quit. This will be the first season since he has been in the NFL that he has finished the season and started the next with the same quarterback. Michael Penix Jr. showed he isn’t afraid to rip it to Pitts even after Pitts is the reason for one of his interceptions. Pitts is someone many people are out on in this stage of his career, but he is still only 25, and a lot of notable tight ends didn’t break out until they were years older than Pitts is now, and he is dirt cheap in drafts.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Zach Ertz (TE – WAS)
“If I punt the TE position in drafts this year and wait until the double-digit rounds to get one, Zach Ertz will be my guy. There won’t be much enthusiasm for the 34-year-old Ertz, but he was TE7 in PPR scoring last season and was terrific down the stretch, averaging 13.5 PPR points per game from Week 11 on. In Washington’s playoff loss to Philadelphia, Ertz had 11 catches for 104 yards. Ertz clearly clicked with young QB Jayden Daniels in 2024, and it’s reasonable to expect similar production from Ertz in 2025 if he can stay healthy.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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