Fantasy Football Player Notes
2025 Draft Rankings
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1.
George Kittle
SF (vs . SEA)
Kittle remains an elite option at the tight end position and doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon. Kittle finished last year as the TE1 in fantasy points per game, and it's like no one cares as they rank him as the third tight end in fantasy heading into 2025. Deebo Samuel is gone. Brandon Aiyuk's health and effectiveness are up in the air for 2025. Will Jauan Jennings continue his breakout, or will Ricky Pearsall fulfill the promise of his draft capital? There are a ton of questions in the 49ers' passing attack in 2025, but Kittle isn't one of them. He has been excellent and should continue that string of fantasy dominance. Last year, Kittle ranked sixth in target share, first in yards per route run, third in yards after the catch per reception, and second in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He was also flooded with high-leverage usage, ranking fifth in deep targets and second in red zone targets among tight ends. Kittle could see more volume in 2025 and repeat as the TE1.
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2.
Brock Bowers
LV (vs . KC)
Brock Bowers had a legendary rookie season. He finished as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He logged the most receptions, receiving yards, PPR fantasy points per game, and targets for a rookie tight end EVER! Insane, insane production. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, he remained stellar, ranking second in target share (23.6%), third in receiving yards per game (70.2), fifth in yards per route run (2.11), and sixth in first downs per route run (0.108, per Fantasy Points Data). With more target competition added in the offseason with the additions of Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton, we'll see if Bowers can reproduce this type of season in year two, but I won't be betting against him with improved quarterback play with Geno Smith now under center. Bowers is worth paying up for in drafts as a difference-making option at a onesie position.
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3.
Trey McBride
ARI (at LAR)
McBride has a MONSTER 2024 season as the TE2 in fantasy points per game. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, he ranked first in target share, second in receiving yards per game, third in yards per route run, first in first downs per route run, and third in first downs per route run. As insane as it sounds, if his horrible touchdown luck could correct itself, it could have been even better. Despite ranking second in red zone targets, McBride finished with only two receiving touchdowns (four total touchdowns). McBride finished with 15.6 PPR points per game (TE2), but he had 19.2 expected PPR points per game. McBride's horrible touchdown run out could reverse itself in 2025, and if it does, he could be the clear RUNAWAY TE1.
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4.
Sam LaPorta
DET (at CHI)
Sam LaPorta sustained an ankle injury last year that haunted him for much of the season before he exploded down the stretch, looking closer to full health. Overall, he finished the TE8 in fantasy points per game, but it was very much a Jekyll and Hyde season. In Weeks 1-10, he had a 64.8% route run rate with a 10.9% target share, 40.1 receiving yards per game, a 12.6% first-read share, and 0.095 first downs per route run as the TE16 in fantasy points per game (per Fantasy Points Data). After Week 11, people got to see the version of LaPorta that they were paying up for in draft season. In Weeks 12-18, he had a 77% route run rate with an 18.6% target share, 51.4 receiving yards per game, an 18.5% first-read share, and 0.100 first downs per route run as the TE7 in fantasy points per game. The talent is still there. After a disappointing 2024 season, LaPorta should be drafted as a top-five option at tight end this season. The bounceback is incoming.
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5.
Mark Andrews
BAL (at PIT)
Andrews is one of the best tight end values this year with the talent to revisit top 3-5 fantasy tight end status. Last year, Andrews was the TE7 in fantasy points per game, but it was heavily influenced by his 11 receiving scores as he ranked only 14th in receptions and ninth in receiving yards among tight ends. His recovery from tightrope surgery impacted his early season effectiveness and usage. In Weeks 1-9, he was the TE16 in fantasy points per game, posting an 11.3% target share, an 18% TPRR, 1.77 YPRR, 32.1 receiving yards per game, a 13.9% first-read share, and 0.110 first downs per route run. After Week 9, every discernable per-route metric that we should care about improved for Andrews as he posted an 18.1% target share, a 24% TPRR, 2.31 YPRR, 48 receiving yards per game, an 18.9% first-read share, and 0.127 first downs per route run as the TE5 in fantasy points per game (per Fantasy Points Data). Buy the dip on Andrews and enjoy another stellar year from the Baltimore stalwart.
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6.
T.J. Hockenson
MIN (vs . GB)
After T.J. Hockenson returned last year, he was the TE16 in fantasy points per game. This is largely due to the fact that despite drawing eight red zone targets in ten games played, he failed to score a single touchdown last year. Hockenson was the TE10 in expected fantasy points per game last season. Minnesota ramped him up slowly with a 45.2-47.9% snap rate in his first three games. After Week 11, he played 61% or higher snaps weekly. Overall, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Hockenson ranked 13th in target share (16.2%), eighth in receiving yards per game (45.5), 15th in yards per route run (1.65), and fifth-best in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Another year away from his torn ACL, Hockenson should see his per-route efficiency improve, as he will be a strong TE1 in 2025.
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7.
Travis Kelce
KC (at LV)
Travis Kelce finished with the fewest receiving yards of his career since becoming a starter in 2014. He still gobbled up targets, but he was hopelessly inefficient last year, and entering his age-35 season, I'm not sure if that changes. Last year, he finished as the TE6 in fantasy points per game, which was aided by Andy Reid's pass-happy offense and Kelce having the third-most targets among tight ends. Among 47 qualifying tight ends, Kelce ranked fourth in target share (22%), fifth in receiving yards per game (51.4), and first in red zone targets, but that's where the good news stops, as he was also 18th in yards per route run (1.62), 40th in yards after the catch per reception (3.86), and 18th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Kelce will be peppered with volume again this year and finish as a TE1, but the days of him being a top-three fantasy tight-end option are gone.
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8.
Tucker Kraft
GB (at MIN)
Last year, Tucker Kraft stepped up as Green Bay's clear present and future starting tight end. The South Dakota State alum finished as the TE14 in fantasy points per game in the Packers' run-heavy offense. Green Bay loves its committee approach with the passing game, so it's tough to see Kraft becoming a high-end target earner in this offense, but he has the talent to do so. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Kraft ranked 20th in target share and 27th in first read share, but he posted top 12 marks in receiving yards per game (12th-best), yards per route run (seventh), missed tackles forced (third), and yards after the catch per reception (first). Green Bay did feed him an 18.5% designed target rate (second-best among tight ends), but he wasn't the first option on many passing plays. Kraft proved he has the talent to take the next step and become a focal point if the Green Bay offensive design changes in 2025. Kraft is a wild card TE1.
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9.
David Njoku
CLE (at CIN)
Last year, David Njoku finished as the TE4 in fantasy points per game, easily the best per-game production of his career. He did miss seven games last year, though, with hamstring and ankle issues. Injuries have sadly been a part of Njoku's career, and at this point, I don't think they are going away, so they have to be factored into his 2025 equation. Last season, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Njoku commanded a ton of volume, ranking fifth in target share (21%), seventh in receiving yards per game (45.9), and sixth in first-read share (21.7%, per Fantasy Points Data), but he wasn't efficient with his volume ranking 32nd in first downs per route run and yards per route run. Injuries, efficiency concerns, quarterback worries, and target competition are all factors that impact his 2025 outlook. Njoku will likely finish as a low-end TE1 this season, but I'm not targeting him aggressively.
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10.
Evan Engram
DEN (vs . LAC)
Evan Engram could SMASH his ADP this year as Sean Payton's Joker. Everyone will point to last year as a reason to have worries about Engram, who ranked 20th in yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021. In Engram's two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in yards per route run and second and 12th in target share (per Fantasy Points Data). Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric. Engram's best competition for targets is Courtland Sutton. Engram could lead Denver in targets this season. If that happens, he'll likely be knocking on the door of the top 3-5 tight ends in 2025.
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11.
Dalton Kincaid
BUF (vs . NYJ)
Dalton Kincaid dealt with injuries last season (knee/shoulder) that derailed his season after Week 9. Last year, in Weeks 1-9, he was the TE15 in fantasy points per game, which is a massive disappointment for a player with his talent in a scoring-rich environment in Buffalo. During that stretch, among 38 qualifying tight ends, he ranked sixth in target share (19.2%) and first-read share (21.3%), 18th in receiving yards per game (36.9), 17th in yards per route run (1.71), and 15th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). His market share in the Bills offense is encouraging, but his per-route efficiency is concerning, as well as his 64.9% route per dropback rate (19th). If Buffalo is determined to cap his route share because of Dawson Knox and their offensive design, Kincaid will need to be a hyper-efficient player to reach TE1 land. Kincaid is a TE2 bet on talent and the hope that his role grows in 2025.
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12.
Tyler Warren
IND (at HOU)
Warren got the ballyhooed first-round draft capital that we all figured he would. The landing spot is rough, though. Indy has a ton of talented pass-catching options that will push Warren weekly for target volume. Michael Pittman and Josh Downs presumably will be above him in the target pecking order. I still love Warren as a player, but I'm worried that he could struggle to live up to the hype that his talent has deserved. The passing volume, quarterback play, and receiving depth chart are all big-time concerns for his 2025 outlook. Last year, Indy had the third-lowest passing rate inside the red zone and in neutral game environments. During his final collegiate season, Warren ranked in the top three among tight ends in yards per route run, receiving grade, missed tackles forced, and yards after the catch (per PFF). Warren is a TE2 that could easily finish as a TE1.
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13.
Jonnu Smith
PIT (vs . BAL)
Jonnu Smith's upside in fantasy was quickly vaporized for 2025 with his arrival in Pittsburgh. We've seen what this looks like before. In 2023, when Smith was with Atlanta, he was the TE20 in fantasy points per game despite logging five weeks as a TE1 in fantasy scoring. He had a 57.9% route share (26th), a 13% target share (21st), 34.2 receiving yards per game (17th), and 1.67 yards per route run (12th, per Fantasy Points Data). Smith is a nice real-life addition for the Steelers, but he will likely only serve as a streaming tight-end option for fantasy purposes in 2025.
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14.
Dallas Goedert
PHI (vs . WAS)
Dallas Goedert has finished as a TE1 in fantasy points per game in EVERY season since 2019. I don't think that streak ends in 2025. Goedert should be ranked as a TE1 this season, operating in one of the best offenses in the NFL, which will pass more frequently this year. Goedert dealt with injuries again last year with a knee issue and a hamstring ailment. When he was on the field and playing at least 60% of the snaps, he produced 11.8 PPR points per game, which would have equaled the TE8 in fantasy points per game last year. In that sample, he earned a 20.2% target share, churned out 55.1 receiving yards per game and 2.23 yards per route run, and garnered a 25.2% first-read share. Among 47 qualifying tight ends last year, those figures would have ranked sixth, fourth, fourth, and third last season (per Fantasy Points Data). Draft Goedert confidently as a TE1 again this season.
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15.
Isaiah Likely
BAL (at PIT)
Isaiah Likely's path to fantasy relevance has been blocked by fellow Ravens TE Mark Andrews for most of Likely's three NFL seasons. But Likely has had his moments, particularly when Andrews has been sidelined. In the nine games Andrews has missed over the last three years, Likely has averaged 3.4 catches, 50.3 yards and 0.7 touchdowns. Prorated, that would work out to 58 catches, 855 yards and 11 touchdowns over a full season. Likely and Andrews are both in the final years of their contracts with the Ravens. Likely has intriguing upside, but we might not get to see it until he and Andrews have been decoupled.
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16.
Kyle Pitts
ATL (vs . NO)
A great many fantasy managers have vowed to never again roster Kyle Pitts, as the young tight end has repeatedly failed to meet expectations. The fourth overall pick of the 2021 draft, Pitts played his first NFL game at age 20 and became the first rookie TE to have a 1,000-yard receiving season since Mike Ditka 60 years earlier. But after finishing TE6 in PPR fantasy scoring as a rookie, Pitts hasn't finished as a top-12 fantasy tight end in any of the last three years. He had 47 catches for 602 yards and a career-high four touchdowns last year. Pitts is still only 24, so there may be hope for him yet. Pitts had to acclimate to new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson's system last year, and Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was a disappointment. Perhaps there's hope for Pitts now that he has greater familiarity with the system and will be playing with talented young QB Michael Penix Jr.
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17.
Colston Loveland
CHI (vs . DET)
Loveland surprised some in the NFL Draft as the first tight end off the board. I'm not shocked by it, but I did think Warren would hear his name called first. Loveland's top ten first-round capital is notable. Ben Johnson seemingly got his Sam LaPorta. I don't think Loveland is on the same talent plane as LaPorta, and I don't mean that as shade, but their skill sets are different. Loveland has stellar per-route efficiency and the route running chops to match, but he isn't the same mauler after the catch, with only eight missed tackles forced in his collegiate career (per PFF). I worry a tiny bit about Loveland's weekly route share with Cole Kmet, who is still on this roster. Loveland should be the Week 1 starter, but don't be shocked if Kmet can be enough of a thorn in his side (ala Dawson Knox) to hurt his ceiling and floor in 2025. I also haven't even mentioned a crowded target hierarchy for this season with D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, D'Andre Swift, and Luther Burden on the roster and Caleb Williams' worrisome 2024 play. Right now, Loveland is a bet on talent, and that is driving him up the target hierarchy. Across his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked fifth in yards per route run in both seasons and third and tenth in receiving grade. Loveland is a TE2 that could finish as a TE1 if everything breaks right in 2025.
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18.
Jake Ferguson
DAL (at NYG)
Last year's disappointing season for Jake Ferguson can be largely attributed to the absence of Dak Prescott. Prescott was lost for the season after Week 8. In Weeks 1-8, Ferguson was the TE12 in fantasy points per game, drawing a 17.9% target share (tenth-best), averaging 43.8 receiving yards per game (tenth-best), and commanding a 19.5% first-read share (ninth-best, per Fantasy Points Data). During this stretch, Ferguson wasn't an efficient player, ranking 25th in yards per route run and 30th in first downs per route run. Without Prescott, after Week 9, Ferguson didn't have more than 40 receiving yards in a game for the rest of the season. After Week 8, Ferguson didn't see a red zone target until the final game of the season. Ferguson is in line for a strong bounce-back campaign in 2025 as the weekly number three option in the passing game. Dallas should easily rank inside the top ten in passing attempts this season as Ferguson returns to the TE1 ranks.
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19.
Hunter Henry
NE (vs . MIA)
Hunter Henry is a wonderful late-round tight-end target this season if you're looking to punt the position in 2025. Last year, in Drake Maye's full starts, he had a 19.2% target share, averaged 49.9 receiving yards per game, had 1.70 yards per route run, a 22.7% first-read share, and 0.098 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). I'll also add on top that he averaged 11.3 PPR points per game in that sample. Last year, among all tight ends with 25 targets, those marks would have ranked seventh, sixth, 14th, fifth, eighth, and the points per game production would have made him the TE8 in fantasy. Yes, since that time, New England added Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams to the passing equation, but that doesn't mean that Henry still can't emerge in 2025 as Maye's number two option in the passing offense and flirt with TE1 output.
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20.
Zach Ertz
WAS (at PHI)
Zach Ertz had a very "Ertzian" season in 2024, where volume and a perfect set of circumstances helped carry him to a TE10 in fantasy points per game finish. He could repeat that in 2025, but he's best viewed as a TE2 with the arrival of Deebo Samuel. He'll have to compete with Samuel for underneath target volume. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Ertz ranked 12th in target share (16.8%), 17th in receiving yards per game (38.5), 27th in yards per route run (1.45), 14th in first read share (17.2%), and 20th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). A team devoid of a steady option outside of Terry McLaurin was forced to lean on Ertz, who performed admirably, but if Samuel can stay healthy, Ertz's target share and first-read share will decline as he turns in a decent TE2 season.
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21.
Pat Freiermuth
PIT (vs . BAL)
The Steelers tight end is coming off career-highs in catches (65) with seven touchdowns, finishing as the TE10 in half-PPR in 2024. He has finished as a top-10 fantasy tight end in two of the last three seasons and has finished no worse than TE14 while playing at least 16 games. Since stats are fun, Freiermuth averaged 41 receiving yards and 8.8 fantasy points per game (backend TE1 fantasy numbers) in all games not against the Baltimore Ravens, who had his number last season. But with the addition of Arthur Smith's favorite, Jonnu Smith, the Muth seems like a longshot to hit TE1 numbers with TE14 more likely his best case outcome without an injury.
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22.
Cade Otton
TB (vs . CAR)
Cade Otton had career marks nearly across the board in 2024, but it was a perfect storm for Tampa Bay's dependable tight end. He logged three massive games without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans in the lineup that greatly boosted his season ending stat lines. In Weeks 8-10, without Evans and Godwin, Otton had a 25.5% target share with 2.03 yards per route run, a 29.9% first-read share, 64.3 receiving yards per game, and 0.116 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). He averaged an astounding 19.8 PPR points per game. Outside of those three games, Otton had a 15.8% target share with 1.39 yards per route run, a 14.5% first-read share, 37 receiving yards per game, and 0.068 first downs per route run. With Evans and Godwin back and the addition of Emeka Egbuka to the fold, Otton's 2025 season will closely resemble that last sample of production (maybe lower if Egbuka can cut into his work more than Jalen McMillan was able to). He's a basement-level TE2.
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23.
Mike Gesicki
CIN (vs . CLE)
Gesicki should offer some streaming upside this season if Tee Higgins misses time. His splits were insane, with Higgins in and out of the lineup. Without Higgins on the field, Gesicki averaged 13.6 fantasy points per game with an 18.3% target share, 62.4 receiving yards per game, 2.40 yards per route run, a 22.6% first-read share, and 0.115 first downs per route run. Those are wonderful fantasy numbers, no matter how ya slice it. That points-per-game mark would have made him the TE4 in fantasy last year had he kept it up all year. With Higgins in the huddle, Gesicki's fantasy points per game dropped to 6.2 as he had only a 10.1% target share, 29.4 receiving yards per game, 1.26 yards per route run, a 10.3% first-read share, and 0.082 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Gesicki is an in-season streaming option only.
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24.
Chig Okonkwo
TEN (at JAC)
Fantasy managers are still waiting for the Chig Okonkwo breakout season that they though might be coming after he flashed playmaking ability as a rookie in 2022. But we're now three seasons into Okonkwo's career, and he has yet to finish as a top-20 tight end in fantasy scoring. The optimistic case for an Okonkwo breakout in Year 4 is that No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward is an aggressive downfield thrower who could pump new life into the Titans' passing game, and Tennessee has a shortage of pass-catching weaponry. But first Okonkwo will have to win a training camp battle against fourth-round rookie Gunnar Helm.
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25.
Dalton Schultz
HOU (vs . IND)
In 2024, Dalton Schultz hit five-year lows in targets (85) catches (53), receiving yards (532) and touchdowns (2). The result was a TE22 fantasy finish in half-point PPR scoring even though Schultz played all 17 of the Texans' games. A slight rebound is possible, but it's hard to see much fantasy upside for Schultz as he enters his age-29 season. WR Nico Collins figures to be the Texans' undisputed target leader, and Houston has also added veteran Christian Kirk and promising rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel at receiver. Consider Schultz a midrange TE2 at best.
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26.
Mason Taylor
NYJ (at BUF)
Taylor is headed to the Jets after they selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft. Taylor could become the number two target in the passing attack quickly, with only Josh Reynolds and Allen Lazard as his closest competition for targets. I wasn't nearly as enamored as many with Taylor as a prospect. His athleticism was solid, with a 4.68 40-yard dash and an 83rd percentile 3-cone. Taylor should develop into a solid starting NFL tight end, but I have a hard time seeing a pathway to elite status for Taylor. Across his three seasons at LSU, he never ranked higher than 63rd in yards per route run (per PFF). Taylor finished his collegiate career with only 5.4 yards after the catch per reception and 14 missed tackles forced (129 receptions). With the Jets lacking difference-making and high-end target-earning options outside of Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall, Taylor could easily be a volume-fueled low-end TE1 in 2025. He's a fantastic late-round TE2 pick.
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27.
Brenton Strange
JAC (vs . TEN)
Brenton Strange enters the 2025 season as the team's undisputed starter after Evan Engram's departure. Last year, Strange had seven games in which he played at least 60% of the snaps, where he averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game. In those games, he also saw a 14.8% target share with a 17.3% first-read share while producing 1.39 yards per route run, 36.1 receiving yards per game, and 0.071 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Those are pretty much TE2-worthy numbers across the board outside of the first-read share, which will decline some with Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown in town. If Hunter plays more defense than I'm currently projecting, Strange may have a Zach Ertz type of season where he racks up the volume because of a lack of receiving options and flirts with TE1 value.
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28.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
CAR (at TB)
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29.
Cole Kmet
CHI (vs . DET)
There's no way around it: The Bears' selection of Michigan TE Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in this year's draft doesn't bode well for Cole Kmet's 2025 fantasy outlook. Kmet seemed to have a bright future after producing 73-719-6 in 2023 and finishing that season TE7 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. But Kmet averaged only 3.2 targets per game last season, with WRs D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze combining for a 68.7% target share. Moore and Odunze are still around, and the Bears not only drafted Loveland in the first round, but WR Luther Burden in the second round. It would probably take multiple injuries to Chicago pass catchers for Kmet to be fantasy-relevant this season.
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30.
Juwan Johnson
NO (at ATL)
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31.
Elijah Arroyo
SEA (at SF)
Second-round rookie Elijah Arroyo will be given every chance to replace perennial underachiever Noah Fant as Seattle's top tight end. One of the more athletic members of this year's talented rookie TE class, Arroyo had 595 receiving yards and seven TD catches in his final college season at the University of Miami-Fla., then stood out in Senior Bowl practices. A major rookie-year impact seems unlikely, but Arroyo is certainly worth monitoring.
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32.
Harold Fannin Jr.
CLE (at CIN)
Harold Fannin put up absurd numbers at Bowling Green last season, catching 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. The good news about Fannin's NFL landing spot is that the Browns spent a third-round pick on him. The bad news is that Cleveland already has David Njoku as its primary tight end. Fannin's hands and movement skills should translate to the NFL -- eventually. But at 230 pounds, Fannin might not be an every-down tight end. The prospects of a fantasy-relevant season for Fannin in 2025 seem remote at best.
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33.
Noah Gray
KC (at LV)
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34.
Noah Fant
SEA (at SF)
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35.
Taysom Hill
NO (at ATL)
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36.
Theo Johnson
NYG (vs . DAL)
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37.
Terrance Ferguson
LAR (vs . ARI)
Rookie Terrance Ferguson has a chance to make an immediate contribution to the Rams, who took him in the second round of the draft. A terrific athlete who posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.30, Ferguson has more than 40 catches in each of his last two college seasons at Oregon. Playing in Sean McVay's offense and catching passes from Matthew Stafford has its perks, but there might not be much target spillover for Ferguson with WRs Puka Nacua and Davante Adams around.
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38.
Oronde Gadsden II
LAC (at DEN)
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39.
Will Dissly
LAC (at DEN)
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40.
Ben Sinnott
WAS (at PHI)
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41.
Tyler Higbee
LAR (vs . ARI)
Tyler Higbee is a strong TE2 who could flirt with TE1 production in 2025. Last year, he spent almost the entire season recovering and ramping up from ACL and MCL injuries. He had a brief cup of coffee in Weeks 16-17, playing 26-29% of the snaps before ramping up further in Weeks 18-20. In Weeks 18-20, Higbee had an 18.8% target share, 2.43 yards per route run, a 25.7% first-read share, and 0.123 first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). These are all elite usage marks, but I don't expect them to continue this season with Cooper Kupp exchanged for Davante Adams and Terrance Ferguson added to the equation. Ferguson will likely be a part-time player in his rookie season with a gradual ramp-up, with Ferguson taking over as the team's starting tight end in 2026 when Higbee leaves as a free agent. This could still cut into Higbee's route share, but what helps Higbee is that this is an extremely consolidated passing attack. If Higbee is the clear number three option and Matthew Stafford's passing touchdown rate bounces back, he could finish as a low-end TE1.
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42.
Darren Waller
MIA (at NE)
Darren Waller is coming out of retirement to join the Dolphins on a one-year deal. With Jonnu Smith leaving Miami for Pittsburgh, Waller could start for the Dolphins. He turns 33 in September and hasn't given us a good fantasy season since 2020. It would probably be a mistake to expect Waller to produce the same sort of numbers Jonnu put up last year in his breakthrough season, but it's possible Waller could be fantasy-relevant if the Miami passing attack continues to be more horizontal than vertical, as it was for most of last season.
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43.
Tyler Conklin
LAC (at DEN)
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44.
Dawson Knox
BUF (vs . NYJ)
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45.
Michael Mayer
LV (vs . KC)
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46.
Luke Musgrave
GB (at MIN)
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47.
Gunnar Helm
TEN (at JAC)
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48.
Austin Hooper
NE (vs . MIA)
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49.
Tommy Tremble
CAR (at TB)
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50.
Foster Moreau
NO (at ATL)
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51.
Luke Schoonmaker
DAL (at NYG)
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52.
Cade Stover
HOU (vs . IND)
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53.
Stone Smartt
NYJ (at BUF)
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54.
Josh Oliver
MIN (vs . GB)
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55.
Grant Calcaterra
PHI (vs . WAS)
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56.
AJ Barner
SEA (at SF)
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57.
Darnell Washington
PIT (vs . BAL)
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58.
Jeremy Ruckert
NYJ (at BUF)
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59.
Elijah Higgins
ARI (at LAR)
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60.
Mitchell Evans
CAR (at TB)
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61.
Brevin Jordan
HOU (vs . IND)
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62.
Greg Dulcich
NYG (vs . DAL)
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63.
Julian Hill
MIA (at NE)
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64.
Johnny Mundt
JAC (vs . TEN)
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65.
Harrison Bryant
PHI (vs . WAS)
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66.
Payne Durham
TB (vs . CAR)
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67.
Daniel Bellinger
NYG (vs . DAL)
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68.
Josh Whyle
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
69.
Adam Trautman
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
70.
Tanner Hudson
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
71.
Kylen Granson
PHI (vs . WAS)
|
|
72.
Colby Parkinson
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
73.
Jelani Woods
IND (at HOU)
|
|
74.
John Bates
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
75.
Luke Farrell
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
76.
Brock Wright
DET (at CHI)
|
|
|
77.
Luke Lachey
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
78.
Pharaoh Brown
MIA (at NE)
|
|
79.
Mo Alie-Cox
IND (at HOU)
|
|
80.
Drew Sample
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
81.
Charlie Kolar
BAL (at PIT)
|
|
82.
Charlie Woerner
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
83.
Hunter Long
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
84.
Drew Ogletree
IND (at HOU)
|
|
85.
Jared Wiley
KC (at LV)
|
|
|
86.
Jake Briningstool
KC (at LV)
|
|
87.
Teagan Quitoriano
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
88.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
89.
Tip Reiman
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
90.
Lucas Krull
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
91.
Jaheim Bell
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
92.
Will Mallory
IND (at HOU)
|
|
93.
Erick All Jr.
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
|
94.
Gavin Bartholomew
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
95.
Ian Thomas
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
96.
Devin Culp
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
|
97.
Moliki Matavao
NO (at ATL)
|
|
|
98.
Jalin Conyers
MIA (at NE)
|
|
99.
Tanner Conner
MIA (at NE)
|
|
100.
Nate Adkins
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
101.
Gerald Everett
FA (BYE)
|
|
102.
Durham Smythe
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
103.
Connor Heyward
PIT (vs . BAL)
|
|
104.
Davis Allen
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
|
105.
Caleb Lohner
DEN (vs . LAC)
|
|
106.
Tanner McLachlan
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
107.
Ross Dwelley
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
108.
Kenny Yeboah
DET (at CHI)
|
|
109.
Chris Manhertz
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
110.
Ben Sims
GB (at MIN)
|
|
111.
Brayden Willis
SF (vs . SEA)
|
|
112.
Josiah Deguara
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
|
113.
Robbie Ouzts
SEA (at SF)
|
|
|
114.
Jackson Hawes
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
115.
Brenden Bates
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
116.
Jack Stoll
NO (at ATL)
|
|
117.
Cam Grandy
CIN (vs . CLE)
|
|
118.
Quintin Morris
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
|
119.
Luke Deal
DET (at CHI)
|
|
120.
Andrew Beck
NYJ (at BUF)
|
|
121.
Irv Smith Jr.
HOU (vs . IND)
|
|
122.
Robert Tonyan
KC (at LV)
|
|
123.
Dallin Holker
NO (at ATL)
|
|
124.
Blake Whiteheart
CLE (at CIN)
|
|
|
125.
Keleki Latu
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
|
126.
Thomas Fidone II
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
127.
Eric Saubert
SEA (at SF)
|
|
128.
Jordan Murray
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
129.
Shane Zylstra
DET (at CHI)
|
|
|
130.
John Copenhaver
JAC (vs . TEN)
|
|
|
131.
Oscar Cardenas
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
132.
David Martin-Robinson
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
133.
Tucker Fisk
LAC (at DEN)
|
|
|
134.
Tre Watson
KC (at LV)
|
|
|
135.
Joshua Simon
ATL (vs . NO)
|
|
136.
Giovanni Ricci
MIN (vs . GB)
|
|
137.
James Mitchell
CAR (at TB)
|
|
|
138.
Carter Runyon
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
|
139.
Pat Conroy
LV (vs . KC)
|
|
140.
Travis Vokolek
ARI (at LAR)
|
|
141.
Ko Kieft
TB (vs . CAR)
|
|
142.
Stephen Carlson
CHI (vs . DET)
|
|
|
143.
CJ Dippre
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
144.
Jack Westover
NE (vs . MIA)
|
|
|
145.
Jermaine Terry II
NYG (vs . DAL)
|
|
146.
Zach Davidson
BUF (vs . NYJ)
|
|
147.
Brady Russell
SEA (at SF)
|
|
|
148.
Tyler Neville
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
149.
Tyree Jackson
WAS (at PHI)
|
|
150.
Thomas Odukoya
TEN (at JAC)
|
|
|
151.
Rivaldo Fairweather
DAL (at NYG)
|
|
152.
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.
IND (at HOU)
|
|
|
153.
Mark Redman
LAR (vs . ARI)
|
|
154.
Stephen Sullivan
CAR (at TB)
|
