Everyone loves to hate on the tight end position. The difference between the tight end one and tight end six was just about five points per game according to fantasypros. Another five points per game would take the points per game down to two a game. So having an elite (top three) tight end matters, the rest just need to stay afloat. The first tip for beginners is to understand format, and with tight end premium and two tight end formats even the 25th tight end can be the difference between a playoff appearance and a consolation bracket.
2023 Tight End Rankings – Dynasty Fantasy Football
Elite Now or Elite Later
- Mark Andrews
- Kyle Pitts
- Travis Kelce
Trying to walk the line between competing and youth is a tough balance. Mark Andrews might be the perfect balance of the two. His quarterback just signed a long term deal, and he is only a year removed from a TE1 overall finish. At only 27 (he’ll be 28 in September) he has at least three more years of tip top production.
All in all, the Pitts dynasty tight end ranking will be contentious. He burned managers last year, but he was on many buy low lists for a reason. The Atlanta Falcons were towards the bottom of the league in every passing metric. If they become even league average, Pitts is a top four fantasy tight end in redraft, and is still only 22 years old. For context, he is younger than Dalton Kincaid, Luke Musgrave and Zay Flowers who are all rookies.
Travis Kelce has an argument to be number one overall until he retires due to the insane production he has provided. He might be the GOAT at his position, for fantasy and for real life. For championship caliber teams, Kelce is the final infinity stone to add a competitive edge.
Safe, Cozy Options
- T.J. Hockenson
- Dallas Goedert
These are probably the last two tight ends that a manager feels really good about. As far as every week starters go, these two are plug and play options. Hockenson’s numbers all significantly jumped after going to the Minnesota Vikings. Goedert on a points per game basis was impressive, but he will likely never be more than the third option in Philadelphia’s offense. This is probably the sweet spot for dynasty tight end rankings, as the top options are extremely pricy, and these players are still difference makers at the position.
This is Fine
- George Kittle
- Pat Freiermuth
- David Njoku
- Darren Waller
- Dalton Kincaid
- Evan Engram
This tier is dangerous. It almost lulls a manager into a false sense of security. Why would a manager trade for an upgrade when they already have a top ten tight end? Njoku finished as a top ten tight end in PPG, averaging half as many points as Kelce. Now that’s an unfair comparison, but it just goes to show how important those top tier options are. Each player here has a path to increased relevancy or is young enough to be a roster lock for dynasty squads for years to come as a medium to high end starter.
Kittle set the world on fire with Purdy as his quarterback, but who is the starter in 2023? Freiermuth, Engram and Njoku are both set to benefit from improved situations as their quarterbacks enter their second year in a system. Waller is either a top five tight end this year, or the Giants made a huge mistake. Finally, Kincaid was the only first round tight end taken and went to a perfect offense for him. If rookie tight ends didn’t historically stink for fantasy, he might be higher. But with the projected dip in value 2024, Kincaid is probably a year away from being useful. Draft capital is huge for dynasty, but betting on a rookie tight end feels dangerous.
Breakout or Breakdown
- Greg Dulcich
- Trey Mcbride
- Cole Kmet
- Chigoziem Okonkwo
- Michael Mayer
- Mike Gesicki
Cole Kmet, Chigoziem Okonkwo and Greg Dulcich were tied to three of the worst passing attacks in football. They all flashed athletically and demonstrated an ability in the red zone (whether they were used that way or not). As their teams take a step forward, hopefully they do too.
Mayer, Gesicki and Mcbride all slide into offenses that have historically relied on their tight ends. This should give them a boost in dynasty tight end rankings if they are used as a top two or three pass catcher on their offenses.
These Guys Also Play Football
- Sam LaPorta
- Dalton Schultz
- Noah Fant
- Gerald Everett
- Jelani Woods
- Luke Schoonmaker
- Isaiah Likely
- Tyler Higbee
- Hayden Hurst
- Luke Musgrave
This tier is full of rookies, super low end players and the only tight end hand cuff worth mentioning. While the rookies could jump up, it will take them two to three years and by that point they may end up on waivers for free. If in a two tight end league, there are worse options than these in dynasty tight end rankings.
Jelani Woods is a top _ TE in the league? #ColtsForged pic.twitter.com/ph9Mhf1Aif
— FF Mike Kash (@FFMikeKash) May 31, 2023
Worth Rostering in Deep Leagues, or Bye Week Fillers in Larger Leagues
- Irv Smith Jr.
- Taysom Hill
- Tyler Conklin
- Darnell Washington
- Logan Thomas
- Juwan Johnson
Offseason additions or poor landing spots nuked some of these players. Irv Smith Jr. could make the leap to the next tier, and Hill will probably finish top five by scoring 60 points in one game then one point every other week.
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