The tight end position has been traditionally viewed as “either address it early to create an advantage or wait until much later in drafts”. Yet, the tide has begun to turn. Deeper tiers and more viable options have created a scenario where fantasy football managers can find a viable option as a mid-draft pivot away from wide receivers and running backs. And that trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. During the most recent NFL Draft, six tight ends were taken in the first three rounds, including two options (Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren) that are expected to instantly sit atop their team’s depth charts and factor for fantasy purposes.
Yes, there is still a “clear cut” grouping of three players (Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle) that stand out atop tight end mountain. However, the following two tiers are littered with viable starters that aren’t just “touchdown or bust” players. They can also be forecast for decent target shares and volume as well.
So when should you pounce, and which players am I endorsing at the tight end position within the first few tiers? Here are my thoughts, based upon the latest ECR data that can be found here:
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Tight End Overview
Tier One
Few superlatives can adequately describe Brock Bowers’ rookie season and do it justice. Epic? Legendary? Trendsetting? Call it what you will, but he stepped onto the field for Las Vegas and became an instant-impact target hog, shattering records in the process. An upgrade under center with Geno Smith is a positive, but the Raiders appear to be set on a more balanced offensive attack. Even with regression, Bowers is still an elite option.
Trey McBride thrived on an overwhelming amount of volume last year, catching 111 receptions on 147 targets for 1,146 yards. Did you see how I left touchdown receptions out of that? Terrible luck cost McBride multiple scores, so if positive regression sets in, he could challenge Bowers for the final TE1 finish.
Want reliability? Look no further than George Kittle. Since 2018, Kittle has finished as the TE5 or better each season by one, and in 2020 it was purely due to injury. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk not expected to return until mid-season, Kittle will continue to be relied upon as a volume play for San Francisco.
Favorite Pick
Bowers and McBride are currently mid-third-round selections, with Kittle sticking on the board until the mid-fourth. For that reason, I’ll endorse Kittle as my favorite selection from tier one. I’m not necessarily concerned about McBride taking a significant step backwards, but the presence of Ashton Jeanty in the running game will sap away several potential targets for Bowers.
Tier Two
- T.J. Hockenson (TE – MIN)
- Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
- Travis Kelce (TE – KC)
- David Njoku (TE – CLE)
- Evan Engram (TE – DEN)
- Mark Andrews (TE – BAL)
It was evident to any observer of Minnesota games in the second half of last season that Hockenson, although cleared to play, was a shell of his former self as he worked back from his knee injury. Now, a full year recovered from his torn ACL, “Hock” will look to establish a rapport with J.J. McCarthy as one of the Vikings’ top targets in the passing game alongside Justin Jefferson.
Sam LaPorta started 2024 very slowly, failing to finish as a top-5 tight end until Week 10 due to misuse and an ankle injury. He exploded down the stretch, scoring five touchdowns from Week 10 onward, ultimately finishing with a 60/726/7 split. Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson‘s departure has me questioning what sort of role he will ultimately have.
Ranking Travis Kelce outside the top tier seems like sacrilege, but at some point we have to recognize that age has begun to take its toll. Now 35 years old, Kelce hasn’t broken 1,000 receiving yards since 2022, and his routes appear to be shorter and less frequent. Already contemplating retirement before this season, it is best to view 2025 as his swan song.
Athletically, few players are more gifted at the position than David Njoku, he just finally needs some stability under center! Veteran Joe Flacco enters as the presumed starter, allowing fantasy managers to view Njoku as a weekly starter with modest volume. If he can stay healthy, he can challenge for top-5 status.
Evan Engram’s departure from Jacksonville to Denver is a significant boost, with head coach Sean Payton describing him as the “joker” player capable of lining up anywhere to create a mismatch. The Broncos have a deep stable of pass-catchers, but I anticipate Engram becoming the 1B option for quarterback Bo Nix outside of Courtland Sutton.
What should we make of Mark Andrews for 2025? After a godawful start last year, a string of touchdowns from Week 12 onward saved his season, propelling him to a TE6 finish despite his glacial beginning. His chemistry with Lamar Jackson is unmatched, but Baltimore has more explosive options at their disposal. I fear he will continue to be a low-volume option that thrives in red zone situations.
Favorite Pick
I’ll take Evan Engram all day, given that his current ADP sits atop the ninth round in standard-size leagues. Compared to others in his tier, Engram doesn’t have the injury concerns or quarterback issues that others deal with, and he still can punish defenses down the seam.
Tier Three
- Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)
- Tyler Warren (TE – IND)
- Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
- Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
- Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)
- Colston Loveland (TE – CHI)
- Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
The hype train is set to leave the station on Tucker Kraft, and there are few seats remaining. Kraft took a gigantic step forward in his sophomore season, finishing ranked TE10 as Jordan Love‘s most dependable option in go-to situations. Available in the 10th round with TE5 upside, he is a favorite breakout candidate by many analysts.
Tyler Warren landed in the ideal spot with Indianapolis, a location in desperate need of playmakers in the passing game. Warren’s “jack of all trades” versatility, coupled with his usage in the preseason, have me very excited about his rookie season.
Jake Ferguson’s 2024 season was better left forgotten, as injuries to both Dak Prescott and himself completely derailed any chance for a positive outcome. Still just 26, Ferguson will return as a safety blanket for Prescott, with modest breakout potential. The addition of George Pickens throws cold water on Ferguson’s ceiling, but overall pass volume on short routes and a hopeful spike in red zone targets could alter that.
Dalton Kincaid was a popular sleeper candidate in nearly every analyst’s circle last year, but a rash of injuries and concentration lapses led to a disappointing finish. With his toughness called into question, Kincaid is looking for a total reset in his junior season, and enters 2025 as a post-hype sleeper option in a fantastic offense.
Dallas Goedert is a frustrating fantasy asset, given the glimpses of brilliance that we’ve seen in the past when he becomes a focal point of Philadelphia’s offense. Constant injuries and competition for targets cap his upside greatly, and he is generally viewed as a steady but unexciting pivot option for managers who punted the position.
Colston Loveland, known for his exceptional blend of route running and athleticism, was the first tight end selected in this year’s draft. Though his talent makes him worthy of the “high upside” tag, the number of mouths to feed in Chicago is immense. New head coach Ben Johnson selected him with a plan in mind, but this might be more of a dynasty or long-term look than a redraft pick.
Hunter Henry’s cost in the 13th round is minimal, but he carries decent upside in an ascending offense with New England. He already has a great rapport with Drake Maye, and is now reunited with coordinator Josh McDaniels. Improvements along the Patriots’ offensive line will ease his chip-block duties, allowing him to run more routes. He is an easy pick as a low-cost, modest-upside option later on.
Tier Four
- Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
- Jonnu Smith (TE – PIT)
- Zach Ertz (TE – WAS)
- Brenton Strange (TE – JAX)
- Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)
- Mike Gesicki (TE – CIN)
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me four years running and you’re Kyle Pitts. At this point is he just considered a total bargain late in drafts? We suppose so, but the bust-potential is through the roof.
Jonnu Smith’s surprise 2024 campaign came out of left field, as injuries to fellow Miami receivers and a rotating cast under center vaulted him up the chain for targets. I initially had optimism in Smith coming close to his finishing numbers, but a shocking trade to Pittsburgh in the offseason crushed any hopes of that. Now coupled with Arthur Smith in a run-heavy offense with aging veterans, Smith seems like a sure-fire regression candidate.
Zach Ertz defied logic and reason last year, becoming Jayden Daniels‘ favored short-yardage target, pushing him to his best finish (TE7) since 2021. The addition of Deebo Samuel and Ben Sinnott waiting in the wings have me skeptical for a repeat performance.
Brenton Strange filled in admirably when Evan Engram was nursing injuries last year, and is viewed favorably as a volume-based option available around the 14th round in drafts.
Pat Freiermuth was a middling option to begin with in Pittsburgh, before Jonnu Smith complicated matters further. Even if the Steelers manage to run two-tight end sets, he is best viewed as a bye-week replacement that leans on touchdown receptions.
I’m all about adding pieces of elite offenses late, and Mike Gesicki fits the bill with Cincinnati. A streaming-worthy option that is being selected late, Gesicki thrived with Tee Higgins out of the lineup last year as a tertiary target for Joe Burrow. If both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are healthy, his upside becomes capped rather quickly.
Favorite Pick
Call me crazy, but I think that Strange has a chance to replicate some of the numbers that Evan Engram posted in the past with Jacksonville. This is a team that needs to throw the ball early and often to stay competitive, with two wide receivers that will draw plenty of attention in Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Strange should feast up the seam and as a red-zone threat.