The tight end position can be split into two distinct categories, there’s the pass catchers who are just big slot receivers. And then there are the blockers. There are only about 5 guys who can do both exceptionally well and they’re right at the top of the rankings.
Way Too Early Fantasy Tight End Rankings – Part 1
1. Travis Kelce
After suffering a “bone bruise” (that may have been a minor ligament tear) it took Kelce a while to show his traditional dominance. But by the end of the playoffs, normal service was restored. He missed two games with his knee injury, but he still racked up 219.4 fantasy points. And his 14.6 points per game was tied for the highest average in the league alongside T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL in Week 16. So, he seems likely to miss most of the 2024 season.
2. Mark Andrews
Another who suffered a painful injury but returned in the playoffs, Andrews missed 8 regular season games. Andrews suffered a fractured fibula and damaged ankle ligaments in Week 11. But he averaged 13.5 points per game. And that was the fourth-best in the NFL alongside Evan Engram.
Under first-year offensive coordinator Todd Monken the Ravens finished the regular season 13-4. And Lamar Jackson threw 24 touchdowns, 12 of them to tight ends! If Andrews can stay on the field, he’ll catch most of them in 2024.
3. Sam LaPorta
The rookie tight end eclipsed Dalton Kincaid (who is still supposed to be the new Travis Kelce, go figure). LaPorta had 10 touchdowns (Kincaid had 2) and averaged 10.3 yards per reception. And his 14.1 fantasy points per game was behind only Kelce and Hockenson.
Watch – Dynasty Tight End Rankings
4. Evan Engram
Engram has had an inconsistent career so far, so expecting him to follow up the best season of his career with another big year is risky. But the rest of the Jaguars’ pass catchers are even more inconsistent than their tight end. So, it seems a safe bet that while Engram and Trevor Lawrence are both healthy the tight end will be his safety blanket. Engram caught 28% of the Jaguars’ passes in 2023. And as a result, he scored 230.3 fantasy points!
5. George Kittle
The 49ers are never more than 2 minutes from a major drama. But Kittle is rarely at the heart of any of them. And there’s no reason to believe they won’t find themselves at the top of the NFC again next season, so he’ll be an integral part of their offense.
In 2023 Kittle’s fantasy points average of 12.7 per game was the fourth-highest average for a tight end. He had his first 1,000+ receiving yards season since 2019, but he only caught 6 touchdowns. Kittle’s average of 15.5 yards per touch was his best since 2018. And he missed a game.
6. David Njoku
There have been a few changes in Cleveland, as Alex Van Pelt left and became the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. And it seems like they’re committed to the Deshaun Watson experience, even if Joe Flacco threw more touchdowns last season. But whoever is throwing the passes Njoku is incredibly difficult to stop once he’s caught a pass.
7. Jake Ferguson
The Cowboys are the 49ers wannabes in the NFC. They’ll brush most opponents away, but it all goes a bit sideways in the playoffs. And Ferguson is the Cowboys’ version of Kittle. Thankfully the postseason wobbles won’t have any impact on his fantasy value.
Only CeeDee Lamb saw more targets for the Cowboys in 2023 and Ferguson hauled in 69.9% of the 102 passes thrown in his direction. And his 23 red zone targets led all tight ends. It was the same number as Amon-Ra St Brown and D.K Metcalf saw. But Ferguson only caught 5 touchdowns. There’s definite room for improvement even though he scored 177.4 fantasy points last season.
8. Trey McBride
The Cardinals struggled to get McBride involved in the offense during his rookie season. But in his sophomore year, he was an integral part of the offense. And Kyler Murray seemed to particularly enjoy passing to a tight end who always finds the space in defenses.
McBride only started 12 games in 2023 but he still led the Cardinals with 106 targets and 81 receptions. The general consensus seems to be that the Cardinals will draft Marvin Harrison Jr. And while he may take some of McBride’s target share, he will also open up even more spaces in defenses. So, McBride should still be a prominent part of the Cardinals passing game.
9. Brock Bowers
The rookie out of Georgia seems destined to land in Cincinnati, so he’ll be catching passes from Joe Burrow. And what’s not to love about that?
He scored 31 touchdowns in 3 seasons in Georgia. And 6 of those were rushing touchdowns. And he averaged 14.1 yards per touch during his college career. The step from college star to consistent NFL tight end isn’t always an easy one though. But it’s difficult to imagine Bowers won’t be a serious red-zone threat for whoever drafts him.
10. Taysom Hill
He’s at tight end, right? Well, he is for fantasy purposes. Last season Hill was one of the bright spots of a clunky Saints offense. He scored four rushing touchdowns and caught two touchdown passes. And he threw two touchdown passes too.
Main Photo Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
