The tight-end position is one that can be difficult to navigate in drafts. Everyone is going to be searching for the next Sam LaPorta this year while not wanting to invest a pick in the first five rounds for one. Below are four tight ends that have great value in the middle rounds of the draft.
Three Tight Ends Holding Great Value in 2024 Fantasy Football
Jake Ferguson – Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy players in PPR leagues should be all over Jake Ferguson. While he might be a major touchdown threat, Ferguson secured at least four catches in 11 of 17 games. He’s a safety blanket for Dak Prescott when CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks can’t get separation.
He got off to a bit of a slow start last year with the Cowboys, but Ferguson was a completely different player after the bye week. Dak Prescott utilized him more frequently, and fantasy owners benefitted from it.
Ferguson currently has an ADP of 84 in PPR leagues and 96 in standard leagues. With most leagues having 10-12 teams, that slots him in as a pick for rounds 7-9. Even in a 10-team PPR league, Ferguson wouldn’t be a reach in the seventh round. This same logic applies in standard leagues for the eighth round. Don’t let Ferguson get away in your drafts.
T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson is another tight end that should be targeted for value by fantasy owners. Whether it’s Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy under center, they will be relying a lot on 5-10 yard passes to establish some rhythm. Hockenson will certainly be the beneficiary of that.
While last year’s numbers may seem like a moot point with a quarterback change, there were just two games where Hockenson finished with under 50 receiving yards. On that same note, he had at least four catches in all but one game.
Hockenson is a player that should be available later in the draft. He currently has an ADP of 111 in standard leagues and 153 in PPR leagues. Grabbing Hockenson in rounds 10-15 almost seems like robbery. There’s uncertainty without Kirk Cousins in Minnesota, but fantasy players should be willing to take the risk.
David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
David Njoku got much better for the Browns as the season went on a year ago. Week 7 was the turning point for Njoku as he recorded 40 or more receiving yards in every game but one down the stretch. All six of his touchdown receptions were during the final 10 weeks of the fantasy football season as well.
While his best games of the year came with Joe Flacco under center instead of Deshaun Watson, there is chemistry between them. Njoku currently has an ADP of 93 in standard leagues and 101 in PPR leagues. Taking Njoku in rounds 9-11 is a great place to get a tight end of his caliber. Even with the addition of Jerry Jeudy to the Browns offense, Njoku is still a draftable player this year.
Not all fantasy football players put a large emphasis on drafting tight ends, but that should change. The right tight end can help you steal a matchup or two. Finishing 9-5 instead of 7-7 could be the difference between making the playoffs and missing them entirely.
Main Photo: [Ken Blaze] – USA Today Sports
