Apart from the big names like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle, good tight ends are hard to come by in the fantasy football world.
In this article, we’ll discuss some guys with an ADP outside the top-12 tight ends who have the potential to be top-five and give you an upper hand in leagues.
Greg Dulcich (TE14, 137.03 ADP)
Last season, the Denver Broncos’ offense severely disappointed with new quarterback Russell Wilson. With offensive guru Sean Payton at the helm now, the unit looks to bounce back. Dulcich had an up-and-down year, struggling with injuries early on, but displayed a good connection with Wilson later in the year. Although wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton will still highlight the offense, Dulcich can carve out a sizable role, granted that Payton turns the offense around.
He may not have a lot of big splash weeks, but Dulcich should have a relatively safe and higher floor than others as the second-year tight end looks to become a consistent piece for the Broncos and fantasy teams. As of now, he’s going as the TE14, right around the 11-12 turn (in a typical PPR 12-team league).
Juwan Johnson (TE17, 157.38 ADP)
In 2022, Johnson had the fourth-most top-five finishes at tight end, only behind Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and George Kittle. As a former wide receiver, Johnson has showcased his big-play ability and athleticism. Johnson also got a big upgrade this offseason, going from Andy Dalton to Derek Carr, who has produced a top-five tight end before in Darren Waller. FantasyPros also ranks the Saints with the second-easiest strength of schedule for tight ends.
Johnson has reportedly built good chemistry with Carr and has a real shot to become his safety net and a high-volume target. Match that with potentially more red zone opportunities, and Johnson’s TE17 price tag is well worth a 13th-round pick.
Irv Smith (TE21, 186.27 ADP)
Irv Smith joins the Cincinnati Bengals this season in a crowded but potent offense. Although Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will still be the top targets for Joe Burrow, Smith can carve out a decent role. The Bengals’ offense seems to only get better, and in a tough division and conference, there will be plenty of passes and scoring opportunities to go around. Smith will be the third starting tight tend in three years for the Bengals after the lost CJ Uzomah in 2021 and Hayden Hurst this past offseason.
Although injuries prevented Smith from meeting expectations early in his career with Minnesota, he may be the most talented tight end the Bengals have had in a few years and could provide good production. Smith has a low floor as the clear number No. 3 at best, but with how good the Bengals’ offense is, he could have some huge weeks. He’s a bit more of a gamble, but sometimes that’s what it takes to win in fantasy football.
Jake Ferguson (TE 30, 241.64 ADP)
Jake Ferguson could be one of the biggest steals of fantasy drafts this year. With second-round rookie Luke Schoonmaker already battling an injury, Ferguson will step into the TE1 role now that Dalton Schultz is in Houston. Last season, Schultz finished 10th in PPR scoring and 11th in points per game despite missing two whole games due to injury and working on lower snap counts for a few other games. In two games last year with Schultz hurt, Ferguson averaged 4.5 targets, meaning the Cowboys view him as a true receiving option. Ferguson also had an average depth of target of only 3.5 on the season, which is low but also means he could be a dump-off guy for Dak Prescott.
With 89 targets vacated from Schultz and a full season under his belt, Ferguson could easily become the No. 2 target for Dallas and a great fantasy tight end. Best of all, Ferguson is only being drafted as the TE30 with an ADP of 242. This puts him at Rounds 20 to 21 in drafts, which some leagues don’t even reach. Ferguson is an extremely low-risk, high-reward option and is absolutely worth a late-round flyer.
Rookies: Dalton Kincaid (TE16, 150.66 ADP), Michael Mayer (TE22, 191.44 ADP), Sam Laporta (TE23, 195.37 ADP), Luke Musgrave (TE33, 262.60 ADP)
Rookie tight ends in the NFL don’t produce much in fantasy too often, but in this recent deep class, a few guys have undeniable potential, notably Mayer, Kincaid, Laporta, and Musgrave. Along with their high draft capital (all second-rounders except Kincaid in the first), these guys have reportedly had good training camps thus far, and it seems like the TE1 role is theirs to lose.
Kincaid and LaPorta enter already stable offenses with the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions where they have real shots to be top targets on the scoring end. Mayer joins the Las Vegas Raiders led by new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who has previously found success targeting tight ends like George Kittle. With opposing defenses focused on Davante Adams, the offense could open up for Mayer, providing a big target for Garoppolo. Finally, Musgrave enters a weaker and unproven tight end room with the Green Bay Packers. In a young offense led by Jordan Love, Musgrave’s speed could come in handy and allow him to become a formidable red-zone target.
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