Tight end is one of those positions in fantasy football where, if you’re not getting a top option like Brock Bowers, Trey McBride or George Kittle, you may be better off with “punting” the position and waiting a bit of time to draft one as the “middle tier” of tight ends tend to be somewhat interchangeable.
For example, in 2024, the point differential between the TE10 and TE15 in PPR leagues was about 20 points. However, whenever a new crop of rookies comes in, you have a chance to find that new big-name, highly productive tight end. Below, I’ll discuss three tight ends I think could make an impact on your roster in 2025.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Impact Rookie Tight Ends
Tyler Warren (TE – IND)
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Tyler Warren with the No. 14 overall pick. He was highly productive at Penn State, serving as the primary option for quarterback Drew Allar in what was a depth chart filled with pedestrian wide receivers. As a senior, Warren, who’s listed at 6-foot-6 and about 250 pounds, caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 218 rushing yards and four scores.
The Colts have some competent receivers in Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. They also have a top-five “real-world” running back in Jonathan Taylor. However, a weapon like Warren, who averaged 12 yards per catch as a tight end with a combined 63.7% of his targets either behind the line of scrimmage (22.2%) or just 0-9 yards downfield (41.5%), will pay dividends for the quarterback situation in Indianapolis.
It’s unclear if it’ll be Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson. Richardson is dealing with a shoulder injury, and the team will “ease him into throwing and then go from there.” Both quarterbacks could use a reliable underneath weapon, like Warren.
Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
Colston Loveland was drafted ahead of Tyler Warren at No. 10 overall by the Chicago Bears.
At first glance, yeah, this depth chart is loaded with talent, which could complicate things for Loveland. He’ll be competing for targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, the pass-catching back D’Andre Swift and fellow tight end Cole Kmet.
However, this is a new coaching staff led by offensive mastermind Ben Johnson, and he used his first-ever first-rounder on Loveland, a player who can get down the field like a wide receiver. In 2024, Loveland had a “down” season, but that had a lot to do with the revolving door at the quarterback position in Michigan. In 2023, with J.J. McCarthy throwing him the ball, he averaged 14.4 yards per catch on 45 receptions. That same year, 33.9% of his targets were on passes 10-19 yards downfield, and three of his four touchdowns came on deep balls that sailed 20+ yards. He caught all seven of his deep passes for 206 yards and those three touchdowns.
Loveland could have trouble getting off the ground with a crowded depth chart, but Johnson drafted him here for a reason. Expect him to become increasingly valuable as the season progresses.
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ)
Mason Taylor was selected by the Jets at No. 42 overall in the second round, the third tight end off the board. Unlike Loveland, Taylor enters a team devoid of receiving talent outside of Garrett Wilson. The other starting wide receivers are Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds. Neither of them strikes “fear” in terms of them being a target hog.
Of course, running back Breece Hall has been known to catch plenty of passes, too, but there’s a reality where Taylor could be the second option in the offense. Now, with that said, this is an offense with Justin Fields at quarterback and a defensive-minded head coach. I’m not expecting 700 pass attempts from Fields, but there could still be some value in this offense.
It’s going to be a situation where Taylor could be highly impactful, but we need to see how this passing attack looks. Taylor is still worth his 12th-round average draft position (ADP) in 12-team PPR leagues.
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