The tight end position in fantasy football can be one of the more intriguing roster spots in that you either aim for the top couple of players or wait until much later and stream the position.
With that, below are four players I fear may be busts this upcoming season. Removing these players from your draft board at their average draft position (ADP) could potentially make decisions a bit easier for you.
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Fantasy Football Tight End Busts
George Kittle (TE – SF)
The 49ers have activated George Kittle off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and there’s a realistic chance he could play Week 1. Even if he does, I do worry about his effectiveness, especially early on.
Last season, Kittle suited in fewer than a dozen games as he dealt with a hamstring tear, an ankle sprain and then a torn Achilles. The 49ers’ offense also has Christian McCaffrey, Ricky Pearsall, Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel and De’Zhaun Stribling.
There’s going to be a lot of mouths to feed, and with Kittle’s extensive injuries, I can’t trust him all too much this season. He’s an intriguing late-round target, but he’s not even close to being in the territory of a potential Week 1 starter.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CLE)
Harold Fannin Jr. led the Browns in target share last season (20.5%), but a lot has changed since then.
For starters, the Browns drafted two receivers in the first two rounds: KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. They will undoubtedly demand some targets and attention.
On top of that, the Browns’ quarterback situation isn’t exactly one to be excited about. Another thing to consider is that Fannin has missed some practice time after offseason groin surgery, though he was recently cleared.
With the quarterback situation being madness, two new receivers and groin surgery, Fannin could let owners down.
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
Kyle Pitts had a 22.7% target share last season, but it’ll be a bit of a different situation this season
First, the Falcons will likely have Tua Tagovailoa under center early in the season, and I don’t trust him as a quarterback whatsoever. Further, Pitts led the team in target share because Drake London played just 12 games.
When London was on the field, Pitts’ target share was 18.9%, which ranked third behind London (32.1%) and Bijan Robinson (21.2%). In those situations, Pitts caught 47 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns.
Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
Hunter Henry is in the TE2 range, but for some, his seven-touchdown 2025 campaign could spawn some belief. Last season, Henry had an 18% target share, second on the team, and he led all players in touchdowns.
However, he now has to compete with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs for targets. Not only that, but with a top-100 pick, the Patriots took former Notre Dame tight end Eli Raridon, who’s known for his pass-catching chops.
Henry should be ranked much closer to TE24 than TE12, especially since there will be regression in the touchdown department with two new wide receivers he’ll have to compete with for targets.
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