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Howdy Reader,
Welcome in.
Wow. The response to the Footballguys Draft Guide Print Magazine has blown us away. I knew there’d be interest, but y’all showed up in a big way. Thank you. Truly.
At this pace, they’ll be sold out by the end of the week, so if you haven’t grabbed yours yet, now’s the time. Plus, get $5 off preorders and free shipping while it lasts.
And while the rest of the world is still debating Joey Chestnut and hot dog diplomacy, we’re locked in on what really matters: getting you ready to dominate your draft.
Today, we’re diving deep into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Breaking down Team Vibes, Sleepers, Busts, and Individual Defensive Players to keep you ahead of the curve.
Then Dave Kluge tackles the always-tricky Tight End landscape, and he’s got takes you won’t want to miss.
And of course, Bob Harris has the News and Notes to keep you sharp.
Let’s get to it,
J
PS. The magazine is selling fast. Grab yours before they’re gone. Please order now if you haven’t already. And thank you. Sincerely.
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What's New At Footballguys
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Tight End Rankings and Tiers: One Staffer's Opinion – Dave Kluge outlines his "Great or Late" TE draft strategy, spotlighting George Kittle, Tucker Kraft, and more through a 50-player deep dive.
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Dynasty Commissioner's Handbook: The Regular Season Concert – How do great commissioners handle tanking, apathy, and trade drama? David Zacharias has the answers in this week’s dynasty symphony.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fantasy Overview - Is Baker Mayfield for real? Can Mike Evans hold off the youngsters? Our Footballguys Staff sorts it out on both sides of the ball and explains why Emeka Egbuka and Antoine Winfield Jr. are poised to boost your draft board.
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Tight End Rankings and Tiers: One Staffer's Opinion
By Dave Kluge - Exclusive to Footballguys
The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Premium Subscriptions, and you'll get all of our content. We're so sure you'll love it that we have an industry-leading 30-day MoneyBack Guarantee, so there's zero risk.
Tight ends are one of the toughest positions to nail down.
Especially in recent years, there's been a flattening of the curve. Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and T.J. Hockenson are no longer atop the rankings. An influx of young talent has hit the market: Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft, and Dalton Kincaid.
New rookies are poised to make immediate impacts: Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and maybe even Mason Taylor, Terrance Ferguson, Elijah Arroyo, and Oronde Gadsden II. And we're even seeing veterans find success in their second and third acts: David Njoku, Evan Engram, Mike Gesicki, Jonnu Smith, and Zach Ertz.
This makes most tight ends beyond the top few extremely difficult to choose in rankings.
See a similar look at other positions: Running Backs | Wide Receivers
While there are obvious difference-makers to target early, the projections for many others are pretty close. Rather than falling into the mid-round tight-end trap, it appears best to pay up or wait this year, taking a "Great or Late" strategy at the position.
But let's start with the guys you should feel pretty confident paying up for.
The Difference-Makers
These are the players I'm content drafting early, knowing they could all easily finish as this year's TE1. This tier, for me, is incredibly flat. The gap between Kittle and Bowers is pretty negligible. With Kittle consistently being the third tight end to go off the board in drafts, he's the clear and obvious best value. With Bowers going much earlier, it's harder to justify paying up for him. McBride feels accurately ranked.
- TE1 - George Kittle (+2) - Kittle was the per-game TE1 last year and should be the offensive focal point with Deebo Samuel Sr. in Washington and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from injury.
- TE2 - Trey McBride
- TE3 - Brock Bowers (-2) - He's a great football player, but Kittle and McBride returning to systems they found success in provides more theoretical security than Bowers, who will be on a completely revamped offense with new coaches and weapons.
Steady TE1s
While the shiny new toys are fun, these veterans going in the mid-rounds make for fine values. There are reasonable concerns surrounding each, which is pushing them down in drafts, but all have logged consistent top-three finishes in recent seasons. While this isn't a tier I'm targeting aggressively, it's hard to pass on these guys, knowing they can still potentially produce at elite levels....
CONTINUED...
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Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown ran 240 routes from the slot with 39 receptions (on 56 targets) for 441 yards and five touchdowns in 2024. However, he ran 252 routes out wide, which led to 67 receptions (on 75 targets) for 740 yards and five touchdowns.
Our view: It's no surprise to learn that he's winning in all areas of the field. Last year, St. Brown, who has three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, joined Larry Fitzgerald as the only wide receivers in NFL History to have multiple seasons with 100-plus catches, 1,000-plus receiving yards, and 10-plus touchdowns in their first four years in the league. Even with a new playcaller, John Morton, taking over for Ben Johnson, St. Brown is being drafted in the elite tier, going as WR6 overall in Round 1.
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3. NYG: Theo Johnson pronounces himself healthy
Source: Giants.com
New York Giants TE Theo Johnson recently told the 'Giants Huddle' podcast that he is now healthy after undergoing foot surgery last season.
Our view: It's easy to forget that Johnson heads into 2025 with a clear path to workload and that he was showing signs of life before he was hurt last year. In fact, he drew four or more targets and caught three or more passes in all of his final five games. Johnson finished with 29 of 43 targets for 331 yards and one touchdown. He's currently being drafted as TE30, available in Round 18.
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4. CIN: Jermaine Burton rebounding nicely
Source: BengalsWire - Chris Roling
Cincinnati Bengals WR Jermaine Burton has 'rebounded nicely' this offseason, in the opinion of Bengals Wire's Chris Roling.
Our view: ESPN.com's Ben Baby reports the same, noting that Burton showed up with a new look and approach to the pro game. "This offseason, Burton has made all the right moves," Baby wrote. "He was attentive and engaged throughout the spring workouts. He earned praise from every person who was asked about him." Baby also reminded readers that Burton has the tools to become a big-play option in special situations. We'll see if that strong offseason can carry over into training camp.
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5. CLE: Shedeur Sanders on CFL list
Source: CFL.ca
Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders' CFL negotiation rights were acquired by the Toronto Argonauts.
Our view: As Profootballtalk.com noted, this isn't a surprising development. The Argonauts have held his rights since late April, after Sanders fell to pick No. 144 in the draft. If it comes to playing North of the border, that means things will have gone very poorly for him in Cleveland, and possibly elsewhere. It will also put the kibosh on any possible fantasy value Sanders might have held.
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6. LAC: Trey Lance on CFL radar
Source: CFL.ca
Los Angeles Chargers QB Trey Lance's CFL negotiation rights went to the Saskatchewan Roughriders
Our view: In the CFL, that list permits players from that league to "claim a player's" rights on the off chance the player elects to leave the NFL or other league and go play football in the CFL's realm. The Chargers signed Lance in April, inking the former third-overall pick to a one-year deal to put him in a competition with Taylor Heinicke for a depth chart spot behind Justin Herbert. Should Lance ever choose to go North, he'll suit up for the Roughriders.
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7. DAL: Unfortunate distinction for Jake Ferguson
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Clay
Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson's 88 targets in 2024 were the most among any player who failed to catch a touchdown.
Our view: After a breakout 2023 season that saw him finish as TE9, Ferguson was slowed by a knee injury and a concussion last year. Those injuries and Dak Prescott's absence held Ferguson to fewer than 500 receiving yards. That said, Ferguson drew the fifth-most targets among all tight ends and the second-most on the Cowboys during his six-game stretch with Prescott. He's projected to finish as TE13 this season, but he's being drafted two spots later, as TE15 in the 12th round.
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8. NE: Hunter Henry allergic to end zone
Source: ESPN.com - Mike Clay
New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry ranked eighth or better in catches, yards and targets among tight ends in 2024, but his two touchdowns ranked 26th at the position.
Our view: Even though the touchdowns were limited, Henry had career highs in catches and yards (66 catches on 97 targets for 674 yards), and there's an obvious connection brewing between him and Drake Maye. It's reasonable to expect that connection to grow in Year 2. Of course, Austin Hooper was also a factor last season. But with Josh McDaniels back as offensive coordinator, both tight ends could be in line for even more production. Henry is TE20, available in Round 14, making him a solid value as a TE2.
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That’ll do it for today, Friends.
Thanks, as always, for being part of this Community. Whether you’ve been with us for 25 years or just joined last week, we’re grateful to be in your corner as you get ready to own your draft.
Big things ahead. We’ll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace, Love, and Fantasy Football,
J
PS. If you haven’t preordered your copy of the Footballguys Draft Guide Print Magazine, now’s the time. We're offering $5 off plus free shipping, and they’re moving fast. Don’t miss out on this one.
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey
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