The NFL Draft saw a drove of tight ends splash new depth charts plus hint at the future of the position for franchises. Here are the most significant stories at the position coming out of the 2023 NFL Draft:
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10. Durham Smythe avoids competition...until late
Mike Gesicki was largely a fantasy afterthought last season as the Miami duo of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle vacuumed up the passing game market share. But Smythe enjoys the clear TE1 depth chart standing post-NFL Draft. Elijah Higgins was a late pick as one of the latest wide receiver-to-tight end conversion projects as the most notable addition. Smythe is a 2TE format special until further notice, given the lack of upside from Mike Gesicki a year ago and Smythe being a run-of-the-mill talent.
9. Brenton Strange snags Round 2 pedigree but blocked in Jacksonville
Brenton Strange was a fringe Day 2 prospect for much of the NFL Draft cycle but vaulted to the late second round. The rub is landing in Jacksonville, where Evan Engram enjoyed a career year in 2022, and the team has spoken to re-signing him beyond 2023. Strange marks one of the tight ends who could be long-term blocked by his situation, but the pedigree boost is a plus to his profile overall.
Matt Montgomery points to Evan Engram being affected by Strange's addition here.
8. Irv Smith Jr. survives the NFL Draft
Irv Smith heading to Cincinnati was one of the landings of free agency lost in the shuffle. Cincinnati was consistently paired with one of the early tight ends in mock drafts but passed on Michael Mayer and a host of others within the first three rounds. Smith has teased fantasy GMs more than justified his cost and buzz throughout his career, but 2023 marks a golden opportunity as an ancillary part of a strong Cincinnati offense.
7. Sam LaPorta snares open Detroit depth chart
It was Sam LaPorta, not Michael Mayer, as the TE2 off the NFL Draft board and heading to Detroit. LaPorta tested well, was underutilized as a receiver due to Iowa's anemic passing game, and comes from a notable tight end factory. James Mitchell and Brock Wright are the lone notables on the thin depth chart, and LaPorta will have ample opportunity to garner a promising Year 1 role.
6. Dalton Kincaid stifles Dawson Knox
Dalton Kincaid not only went in the first round, but he was a trade-up target ahead of Michael Mayer as the TE1 of the class and landed with Josh Allen in Buffalo. That is the fantasy tight end trifecta of positive signs. Kincaid will function as a slot option by early reports, but Dawson Knox will move from untapped potential to merely untapped if Kincaid is remotely close to his Travis Kelce-like skillset as a receiver in the NFL, as his college tape suggests.
James Brimacombe discusses Knox as one of the big value drops in the Footballguys collaborative article.