The Tight End position is no longer considered an invaluable part of any fantasy football roster. There is plenty of young talent changing the game as well as tight end premium scoring formats taking over.
With the tight end position no longer tied to one or two elite players at the position, you can now draft appropriately for value and upside compared to reaching for the best player. They are becoming more and more prevalent in the passing game and very athletic to be mismatches for many defenses. I will discuss the different tiers for the 2024 season and which tight ends may help you win this season.
| Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs |
|---|---|
| Trey McBride | Arizona Cardinals |
| Mark Andrews | Baltimore Ravens |
|---|---|
| George Kittle | San Francisco 49ers |
| Sam LaPorta | Detroit Lions |
| Dalton Kincaid | Buffalo Bills |
Value: Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Injuries were an issue for Mark Andrews last year. He was on pace to finish as TE4 last season averaging just over 13 points a game. Because of the younger tight ends like LaPorta and McBride, Andrews seems to be falling in mock drafts at the moment. He is being drafted as TE4 or TE5 in most cases in the fourth and fifth rounds. Being Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, drafting Andrews at his ADP is a value.
Bust: Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Hard to put LaPorta in the bust category with how he performed last season as TE1 in his rookie year. Where he is being drafted in most mock drafts, his ADP is a bit too rich for me. There is a high chance that his TD performances last season has a small regression. I also believe Jameson Williams and Gibbs will have a larger role, preventing LaPorta from seeing the same 120 targets or more. If you’re able to get LaPorta in the fourth or fifth round, then I believe that is the right value for him.
Sleeper: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
It’s amazing the disrespect I’m seeing around Kittle from the fantasy community. He is being drafted as the TE8 in most mock drafts, yet he has never been worse than TE5 when healthy. Last season he had over 1,000 receiving yards and saw 90 targets in a very crowded offense. With the potential of Aiyuk possibly being traded, that will Kittle to be someone who takes advantage of the missing targets and could be a steal for your draft.
| Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|
| Jake Ferguson | Dallas Cowboys |
| Evan Engram | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| David Njoku | Cleveland Browns |
| Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Dallas Goedert | Philadelphia Eagles |
Value: David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Coming off his best season statistically, Njoku is coming into his 7th year and continues his dominance at the tight end position. Where Njoku is being drafted in most leagues, his value is the best in this tier. He finished with 123 targets last year and 81 receptions. There were many factors that helped with his success, but I do see that continuing. Njoku after the bye week last year averaged 8 targets and 14.3pts a game which would’ve put him as TE3. I look forward to his growth this upcoming season.
Bust: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
I’m not sure why Goedert continues to be drafted as a top tight end in many mock drafts when he normally finishes as TE14. His best season was 2019 when he finished as TE10. Where there may be hope is that before missing time, Goedert did receive 83 targets his way. What concerns me is that the receivers are heavily favored in targets, Barkley is a new wrinkle to the offense and unfortunately, Hurts has struggled as a passer. If possible, I’d draft another tight end unless you can get Goedert later in the draft.
Sleeper: Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
I’m a big Freiermuth fan and he had a very forgettable 2023. Missing five games, career-low 47 targets, and only two touchdowns. Injury is something players may have to deal with but what gives me hope and excitement for Muth is that the quarterback situation has changed. Outside of Pickens, Muth has the highest chance to see plenty of targets like he did in 2022 where he saw 98 targets. Where he is falling in most mock drafts, Muth will have the biggest sleeper tag attached to him this season.
| Cole Kmet | Chicago Bears |
|---|---|
| Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans |
| Brock Bowers | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Luke Musgrave | Green Bay Packers |
| Hunter Henry | New England Patriots |
Value: Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet has developed into a top-ten tight end in fantasy yet every year he is being drafted differently. Last year he finished as TE8, saw 90 targets, and had a career-high 73 receptions. He has a new quarterback in Caleb Williams, and newly added offensive weapons in Keenan Allen and D’Andre Swift as well. Targets may lessen for Kmet so I understand some concerns for him, but I’ll take his landing spots in drafts as he continues to be a big piece in this offense.
Bust: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Unlike Kmet, I have my concerns for Schultz due to the number of targets that will be dispersed elsewhere as well as where he is being drafted. Schultz is being treated as TE13 and with other tight ends falling behind him, the ADP is a bit too high for him. I like Schultz as a very good tight end if you’re able to treat him as a mid to low TE2. I’d steer away from him this upcoming season.
Sleeper: Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
I believe Musgrave could be a very good prospect coming into 2024. He showed flashes last season before getting hurt and he got hurt before Jordan Love and the offense really started clicking. Love’s progression and the offensive scheme are very friendly for the tight end, Musgrave could be a player that can squeak into the 10-12 range without having to draft him that way.
| TJ Hockenson | Minnesota Vikings |
|---|---|
| Cade Otton | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Ben Sinnott | Washington Commanders |
| Tyler Conklin | New York Jets |
| Isaiah Likely | Baltimore Ravens |
| Jelani Woods | Indianapolis Colts |
| Jonnu Smith | Miami Dolphins |
Value: TJ Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson is a player where you’re not sure when to draft him. His injury came late into the season and will affect him coming into the 2024 season. Currently, his timeline for return is October to November, he will be a player that could be a steal late into the season and the playoffs. Before the injury, he was averaging 14.7 points a game putting him as TE2 in the season. When he plays a full season, he is TE5 or better so to get him late in drafts knowing he will be on your bench or IR spot could help enhance your team late into the season.
Bust: Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
I understand Conklin is not being treated as a top-ten tight end but as far as this tier goes, he will most likely be the bust. He is currently being drafted as TE17 and has typically fallen there. He has seen an average of 87 targets a season in the last three years. There is a bit of excitement and hype for Conklin because of the Aaron Rodgers effect but I would cool tempers and draft him accordingly. Do not reach for him.
Sleeper: Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cade Otton is the sleeper of all sleepers for the tight-end position. Otton has shown flashes in some games but also disappeared in games. I like him coming into 2024 due to his current ADP but also the Bucs’ new offensive coordinator Liam Coen joining. Coen helped Tyler Higbee become a very effective tight end in fantasy when he saw 102 targets and finished as TE6 in 2022. Look for Otton to have a more prominent role in the receiving game and see target increases and red zone targets.
Thanks for reading my article on Tight End Tiers for the 2024 Redraft season! Follow me on Twitter at @AvgJoes_ff and the @IDP_Plus main account! For the best articles and fun IDP + offensive fantasy football banter, please consider becoming a subscriber!
