Sometimes draft day doesn’t go the way managers hoped. Not everyone gets to draft the GOAT tight end, and even Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson are going earlier and earlier in drafts. Outside of the top eight tight ends, who are the sleeper tight ends that could be an every-week starter for fantasy squads in 2023?
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Note: ADP is pulled from ESPN’s live ADP as of 31 August 2023
Five Sleeper Fantasy Football Tight Ends
David Njoku TE10 – Cleveland Browns
Njoku finished as the TE8 in points per game in 2022 while dealing with some nagging injuries. Now he’s had a full offseason to recover, is linked to a solid quarterback, and the Browns are prepared to throw more. He is one of the most explosive players the Browns have on the roster, and if they want to keep up in a loaded AFC North they’re going to have to air it out. More shootouts, more fantasy football points, and more opportunities for Njoku to pay off at his ADP.
Tyler Higbee TE13 – Los Angeles Rams
Higbee was the TE6 last year. Fantasy football doesn’t have to be hard. Now Matthew Stafford is back and healthy, the offense should be better and he’s ready to continue his above-average play. He likely won’t jump into the top five, but he’ll be a steady week-to-week option for a tight end managers can take with the last pick in their draft.
Dalton Kincaid TE15 – Buffalo Bills
The historical data for rookie tight ends isn’t great. But data only takes you so far. This was touted as one of the best tight end classes in years, so the top rookie tight ends could all make an impact. In the entire class, Kincaid went the highest and found himself on a top-three offense in the league. Two found the perfect landing spot, Dalton Kincaid in Buffalo and the rookie that will be number five on this list. If a first-round, super athletic rookie tight end with a top-five quarterback is wrong, then I don’t want to be right.
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Greg Dulcich TE18 – Denver Broncos
Sean Payton has been dreaming up ways to get Dulcich involved. He started slow in 2022 but had multiple spike weeks that caused reason for optimism. Now that the Broncos wide receiver room is decimated, Dulcich might become a required target for Russell Wilson. In the worst-case scenario, Dulcich is the safety blanket for Wilson on a bad offense. In the best-case scenario, he’s the second option in a bounce-back offense.
Sam LaPorta TE19 – Detroit Lions
Who’s the wide receiver two on the Lions? Jameson Williams is suspended. D.J. Chark is in Carolina with Bryce Young. Are they really going to pass to the 33-year-old Marvin Jones? When looking for a quality tight end option, it’s important to find one that is either the first or second option in their offense. Whether it’s by design or a lack of talent around them, it looks like LaPorta will get plenty of looks early and often. Especially when taking a tight end this late, it’s important to look at week one matchups. Is there a better game for sleeper tight ends than a shootout with Kansas City?
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Main Photo Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
