Tight ends are always the most unreliable position in fantasy football, and 2023 was no exception. While a few young players broke out, by and large, there were not enough good players to go around. With the season almost done, it’s time to take a look at the players who actually performed well in 2023 and see what they might do in 2024.
Note: Fantasy finishes below are given for PPR scoring and based on points per game. If you enjoy fantasy football, make sure to head over to oval3.game
Top 5 Rated Fantasy Football Tight Ends in 2023
1. Travis Kelce
Remarkably, Travis Kelce in a down year is still the best fantasy football tight end out there. Averaging 15.8 points per game, the star tight end isn’t quite the same dominant force as he usually is, but he’s still an elite fantasy weapon. Chances are, this will be his last year as THE TE1, but he should still have another 3-4 top-five finishes left in his tank, especially if Kansas City invests in a new wide receiver to relieve some of the defensive pressure.
2. T.J. Hockenson
T.J. Hockenson began the season as the top tight end in fantasy football. However, when Kirk Cousins went down, so did his production. It’s hard to blame Hockenson for this, as the combination of Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens aren’t exact Pro Bowl starters. Hockenson will remain a great tight end next year, but his ceiling will be determined by what happens with Cousins. If he comes back to Minnesota, the sky is the limit. If not, then he probably won’t be a superstar.
3. Sam LaPorta
Nobody told Sam LaPorta that rookie tight ends are not supposed to make a fantasy football impact. The second-round pick has hit the ground running, recording 71 receptions for 758 yards and nine touchdowns through 14 games. He should only get better with time and could easily finish as the TE1 in 2024. If you drafted him in dynasty, hold on tight and never let go.
4. Mark Andrews
Through the first 11 weeks of the season, Mark Andrews was his usual reliable self. However, the former third-round pick suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. As of this posting, we don’t know when he’ll be back on the field, but it feels safe to assume that he’ll be ready for Week 1 next year. As long as this injury doesn’t become a lingering issue, he should go back to being a top-five option in fantasy football. Isaiah Likely has done well in Andrews’ absence, but he’s clearly not as good of a player.
5. Evan Engram
Jason Garrett should be arrested for what he did to Evan Engram. After a promising first few seasons, the former Cowboys head coach took over as the New York Giants offensive coordinator and effectively tried to turn the shifty, explosive Engram into Jason Witten. Now freed from the Giants, Engram has spent the past two seasons showing the world what he can do in the right scheme. Maybe he’s not an All-Pro, but he is one of the more reliable receiving tight ends in the league. For fantasy football purposes, he won’t win you a league, but you comfortably start him on a weekly basis.
Main Photo: Eric Canha – USA Today Sports
