Tight ends can be one of the most difficult positions to navigate in fantasy football. That challenge increases even more when you come up just short of getting a player like Travis Kelce or Sam LaPorta. The three names below might not be the most flashy, but they are in great positions to succeed in 2024.
Three Tight Ends With Sneaky Good Value in 2024
Evan Engram – Jacksonville Jaguars
Evan Engram bounced back for fantasy owners the last two seasons and looks promising again in 2024. He set two career highs last year in Jacksonville with 114 catches and 963 yards. Those in PPR leagues will benefit from the 114 catches, but even those in standard leagues get production from the yardage.
Evan Engram in Weeks 1-12 last year:
– 10.4 FPTS/G
– 7.4 Targets/G
– 11 games with Christian KirkEvan Engram in Weeks 13-18 last year:
– 19.3 FPTS/G
– 10 Targets/G
– 0.01 games with Christian Kirk pic.twitter.com/0kD4A3TPVY— Lucas Wencl (@LucasWencl) August 1, 2024
Engram was a security blanket for Trevor Lawrence last year in an offense with Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones. While Ridley and Jones have been replaced by Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr., Engram should still see a high number of targets. FantasyPros has his ADP set at 71, but he fallen as far as the 100th overall pick.
Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth is the next tight end on the list that fantasy owners should have eyes on this season. Last season wasn’t the best for Freiermuth in terms of fantasy scoring, but that’s a result of abysmal quarterback play in Pittsburgh. Even just league average production from the Steelers quarterbacks would’ve seen Freiermuth have more of an impact.
Reminder: Arthur Smith targeted TEs at a league high rate last year.
Pat Freiermuth is the #2 target in this offense without Diontae.
He saw 98 targets and finished as the TE7 in 2022.
— Chris O'Brien (@17gamepace) August 1, 2024
Pittsburgh’s wide receiver room is questionable at best behind George Pickens this year, and that sets Freiermuth up for success. In an Arthur Smith offense that loves to use play action and get the ball out quickly, it adds even more stock to Freiermuth this year. Whether it’s Russell Wilson or Justin Fields under center, both will be a major upgrade for the Steelers. Freiermuth’s ADP is currently 124, meaning he’s someone you can snag in the double-digit rounds.
Hunter Henry – New England Patriots
Hunter Henry is the final tight end here with sneaky value in fantasy football this year. Much like Freiermuth in Pittsburgh, Henry will benefit from an improvement in the quarterback room. Whether it’s journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett or rookie Drake Maye, both of them should target Henry frequently in the offense.
Hunter Henry beats Jaylinn Hawkins for a RZ TD. pic.twitter.com/E0IiAkoswW
— Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) August 1, 2024
Henry recorded two more catches in 11 of 16 possible fantasy football weeks and eight of them saw him record 3+ receptions. Injuries slowed him down some in 2023, so he should see much more playing time this season if he can stay healthy. Henry’s ADP right now is 162 as he sits on the border of possibly going undrafted.
Getting a player who can be starting tight end caliber in the final rounds of the draft is a steal. Even if you have a tight locked up already, consider taking a flyer on Henry and stash him on the bench. At the very least, it solves the issue of finding a new tight end during your starter’s bye week.
This is not a complete list of tight ends with sneaky good value but a preview of three players who have the potential to do well this fall.
Main Photo Courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck – USA TODAY Sports
