Late-Round Fantasy Football Draft Targets: Tight Ends (2025)

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. Here are a few of my favorite late-round fantasy football draft picks to target at the tight end position.

Late-Round Fantasy Football Draft Targets: Tight Ends

Tier Three

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 10^th 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 13^th 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

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 14^th 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.