The tight end position has always been a bit of a headache, especially if you’re unable to secure a sure-fire bet. After the first few elite tight ends come off the board, you’re hoping to secure a tight end who will score touchdowns.
Below, I’ll examine two tight ends going between TE1 and TE8, according to average draft position (ADP), and discuss how I think they could bust given where they’re currently going in drafts.
The tight end position has always been a bit of a headache, especially if you’re unable to secure a sure-fire bet. After the first few elite tight ends come off the board, you’re hoping to secure a tight end who will score touchdowns.
Below, I’ll examine two tight ends going between TE1 and TE8, according to average draft position (ADP), and discuss how I think they could bust given where they’re currently going in drafts.
Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
Note: In this context, “bust” means I’d rather wait for a later tight end because the difference between them won’t be notable, and you can select higher-value players in place of these top-10 tight ends per current ADP.
Travis Kelce could be in for a good first portion of the season, but it all depends on what happens with wide receiver Rashee Rice. If Rice plays the beginning of the season, Kelce could be a tough sell, but again, we’re still waiting on what happens with Rice and his inevitable suspension.
Last season, Kelce saved himself with 97 catches, but he finished with 823 yards and only three touchdowns. Kelce is 35, turning 36 on October 5th. When Rice is on the field, Kelce will compete with him, Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy for targets.
The lack of touchdowns is concerning, so you’re banking on him continuing to catch 90+ passes, which is unreasonable considering he’s closer to 40 than 30. Kelce is not a risk I’m willing to take, especially with other valuable players available around him like Tetairoa McMillan, RJ Harvey, George Pickens, Calvin Ridley and teammate Isiah Pacheco.
Evan Engram had some productive seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. His best season came in 2023 when he caught 114 passes for 963 yards and four touchdowns. In nine games last season, Engram caught 47 passes for 365 yards and one touchdown. Engram’s yards per game average dropped from 56.6 in 2023 to 40.6 in nine games in 2024.
In Denver, Engram will be on a team that will want to run the ball with RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins. Additionally, there are wide receiver weapons like Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and even Pat Bryant all competing for targets.
Of course, we know Broncos head coach Sean Payton’s history with certain tight ends like Jimmy Graham, but we’re getting Engram, who’s coming off a season in which he dealt with hamstring injuries and a torn labrum. On top of that, Engram hasn’t had more than four touchdowns in any season since he was a rookie in 2017.
The case against Engram is that there are tight ends available later worth gambling on instead and valuable players at other positions at his ADP. Quality players going in his vicinity include Kaleb Johnson, Rome Odunze and Deebo Samuel. Also, for those willing to take on a bit more risk, Jordan Addison and Quinshon Judkins are also on the board.
I will say this: I’d rather have Engram than Kelce, as Engram is going about 18 spots later. After Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle, the later you wait to draft a tight end, the better.
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