Tight End Tiers, Targets, and Players to Avoid

With most to all training camps practices in the books, it’s time to review our tiers and players to target, consider, and avoid at ADP. Let’s review what we’ve learned in the last few weeks and how it has changed our approach to tight ends in our fantasy drafts.

The TE1

Travis Kelce, KC

CONSIDER AT ADP: Kelce

Nothing has changed in Kelce’s outlook, but he has gone from target to consider at ADP because some of the secondary options at the position have brighter outlooks, and the crop of potential late-round tight ends is growing.

The TE2

Mark Andrews, BAL

TARGET AT ADP: Andrews

Since camp opened, the Ravens offense has delivered on the promise of a faster pace and more pass-happy split. We have also seen first-round pick Zay Flowers garner rave reviews, Odell Beckham has stayed healthy, and Rashod Bateman has finally gotten activated from the PUP list. So Andrews’ surrounding offensive environment will be improved, but so will his competition for targets. It’s still safe to assume that Andrews will be the top target in this offense, and Andrews outscored Kelce only two years ago. If you draw a mid-first, Andrews in the second is probably the better Plan A than Kelce in the first.

MID-ROUND OPTIONS - HIGH FLOOR

George Kittle, SF
T.J. Hockenson, MIN
Dallas Goedert, PHI

AVOID AT ADP: Hockenson
CONSIDER AT ADP: Kittle, Goedert

Kittle in a tier apart from the mid-round options was nice while it lasted. He suffered an adductor strain last week in camp, and while it is only expected to sideline him for a week, it means the injury seal is broken after he finally had a healthy offseason. With Brock Purdy the clear QB1 for the 49ers, Kittle is still the TE3 on our boards, but he doesn’t have the same level ceiling as TE4/TE5 (Darren Waller and Kyle Pitts), and the specter of injuries causing him to miss time or limiting his production looms large once again. Hockenson hasn’t been practicing for over a week. While some thought it was due to his contract situation (he’s a free agent next year), the team says it is an illness. Either way, it doesn’t materially change his ranking, but he’s overrated as a top-five pick at tight end. Goedert has had a terrific camp, and there’s an argument for him at TE3. He’s an ascendent player, and while targeting him in fantasy drafts isn’t in fashion right now, the folks who do take him could be very happy if he hits his peak as a 28-year-old.

MID-ROUND OPTIONS - HIGH CEILING

Darren Waller, NYG
Kyle Pitts, ATL

TARGET AT ADP: Waller, Pitts

If you were in on either of these tight ends when camp opened, nothing that has happened since then has made you shy away. If anything, you should be even more certain of this tier as the most likely place for a top 3 tight end drafted at TE5 or later to come from. Waller has been the clear #1 target for Daniel Jones and one of the stories of Giants training camp. Pitts has rounded into form after recovering from knee surgery, and more than one person has come away from Falcons camp believing he is on the verge of a breakout season. Either one at ADP is a good Plan A at tight end.

TE1 PURGATORY

David Njoku, CLE
Evan Engram, JAX
Pat Freiermuth, PIT

CONSIDER AT ADP: Njoku
AVOID AT ADP: Engram, Freiermuth

A few things have changed in this tier since camp opened. David Njoku has looked "unstoppable," according to at least one beat writer, although that could be at least partially due to the Browns' troubles covering tight ends. Njoku is clearly the most likely member of this tier to ascend either way. Freiermuth has been as reliable as ever, but it appears third-round pick Darnell Washington will be the clear TE2 and a presence in the red zone, capping Freiermuth’s upside.

WHAT-THE-HECK TIGHT END - HIGH CEILING

Taysom Hill, NO
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN
Sam LaPorta, DET
Dalton Kincaid, BUF
Irv Smith, CIN
Jake Ferguson, DAL
Luke Musgrave, GB

TARGET AT ADP: Hill, LaPorta, Ferguson, Musgrave
CONSIDER AT ADP: Okonkwo, Kincaid, Smith

Some of the names in this tier have changed; some have stayed the same. Hill’s outlook is unchanged, he remains the top target in this tier at ADP because the fantasy community doesn’t regard him as the Saints short yardage back, which he likely is. LaPorta has secured his first-team role and solidified his place in this tier. Ferguson also looks like the clear TE1 in Dallas, and he has had a good camp. However, he may yield to Peyton Hendershot on some passing downs, and second-round Luke Schoonmaker is practicing now and could have a delayed impact. Okonkwo is the last holdover, although his blocking technique was called out by head coach Mike Vrabel in a negative way, and the Titans offensive line sounds like it is going to be as bad as advertised. His rookie year is still hard to ignore, and he could still be the breakout tight end of the season. The two new members of the tier are Irv Smith, who has been the subject of praise from the coaches and appears to have a higher ceiling than Hayden Hurst or C.J. Uzomah did in this offense, and Musgrave, who looks like the clear TE1 in Green Bay and every bit as capable of a big rookie year as LaPorta and Kincaid if Jordan Love is up to the task. Greg Dulcich and Jelani Woods fell out of this tier.

WHAT-THE-HECK TIGHT END - HIGH FLOOR

Cole Kmet, CHI
Hunter Henry, NE
Tyler Higbee, LAR
Dalton Schultz, HOU
Zach Ertz, ARI
Juwan Johnson, NO
Hayden Hurst, CAR

TARGET AT ADP: Henry
CONSIDER AT ADP: Kmet, Ertz, Johnson, Hurst
AVOID AT ADP: Higbee, Schultz

Smith graduated from this tier to the high-ceiling tier after a good start to camp. Hunter Henry and Hayden Hurst have had good summers (great in Henry’s case) and moved up to this tier. Kmet, Higbee, Schultz, Ertz, and Johnson remain from the pre-camp tiers. Ertz might not have been there for others, but his return in time for Week 1 was expected, assuming no setbacks, and there have been no setbacks. Higbee has had a good camp but is still so unexciting for fantasy, and his success somewhat depends on the Rams offense being limited. Johnson was the clear receiving tight end in the preseason opener but will share snaps and targets with Foster Moreau and Hill. Schultz hasn’t really had a standout camp and continues to be overrated.

WAIVER-WIRE WATCH LIST

Isaiah Likely, BAL
Michael Mayer, LV
Jelani Woods, IND
Mike Gesicki, NE
Greg Dulcich, DEN
Donald Parham, LAC
Trey McBride, ARI
Cole Turner, WAS
Daniel Bellinger, NYG
Noah Gray, KC
Darnell Washington, PIT
Jeremy Ruckert, NYJ
Luke Schoonmaker, DAL

This list hasn’t changed too much, but note that Mayer is a higher priority after Jimmy Garoppolo has had an uneventful camp in a good way, Woods has fallen down as he has been banged up, and Kylen Granson has had a good camp. Dulcich has fallen as it became clear he’s behind Adam Trautman for snaps and will play a limited role. Cole Turner has also joined this group as Logan Thomas is banged up, and he appears to be ahead of John Bates. Washington has been a red zone specialist in Pittsburgh’s camp and could have value if Pat Freiermuth misses time. Ruckert has fallen on this list, as it appears that he’s not ready to overtake Tyler Conklin and C.J. Uzomah just yet. Schoonmaker is healthy enough to practice, so he’s worth monitoring as the season goes on, especially if a Cowboys tight end goes down due to injury, but not only in that event. McBride and Parham’s waiver wire appeal has taken a hit as Ertz is back, and Parham was sharing snaps with Tre McKitty in the first preseason game.

BYE/INJURY/EMERGENCY OPTIONS

Noah Fant, SEA
Gerald Everett, LAC
Logan Thomas, WAS
Dawson Knox, BUF
Cade Otton, TB

Not much has changed here, although Knox may already be giving way to Kincaid in one tight end sets, and Thomas has been hurt for most of camp. Conklin has dropped out as he’s in a clear committee with Uzomah, and Hooper dropped out as Michael Mayer might be overtaking him sooner than later.

DESPERATION PLAYS

Austin Hooper, LV
Tyler Conklin, NYJ
Adam Trautman, DEN
Foster Moreau, NO
C.J. Uzomah, NYJ
Durham Smythe, MIA
Jonnu Smith, ATL
Will Dissly, SEA
Peyton Hendershot, DAL

There’s little to like here outside of injuries increasing the size of roles. Hopefully, you don’t have to rely on anyone in this tier this year.