Fantasy & Betting
8/13/24
5 min read
Fantasy Football 2024: Ranking Top 12 Tight Ends This Year
It wasn’t too long ago when the tight end position only had one or two players that mattered. The days of Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce dominating the position are finished, as there is more top-end talent than ever.
There are eight or nine players that could finish as the overall TE1 this season, and we just haven’t had that type of depth in years.
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Fantasy Football TE Rankings
Tier 1: Elite TE1
1. Sam LaPorta, Lions
2. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens
For the first time in more than a decade, a player not named Rob Gronkowski or Travis Kelce is the No. 1 tight end in fantasy drafts. That player is none other than Sam LaPorta, the second-year tight end for the Detroit Lions. As a rookie, LaPorta caught 86 passes for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The last rookie tight end to record double-digit touchdowns was Rob Gronkowski. Before that, it was Mike Ditka (12) during the 1961 season.
LaPorta plays in one of the most efficient, high-powered offenses in the league, and the fact that the Lions will play almost every game indoors should help him post massive fantasy numbers. His athleticism, age, and role in the Detroit offense make him an easy choice for the top spot.
But don’t count out Kelce just because he isn’t at the No. 1 spot on our list. Even in a season where he missed two games due to injury, Kelce racked up 93 receptions for 984 yards and five touchdowns. He finished as the No. 3 scoring tight end last season, which is likely where he’ll end up again this season.
Kelce is one of the most reliable picks in fantasy, but the 1,300-yard upside with double-digit touchdowns probably isn’t there anymore due to his age (will turn 35 in October) and the fact that the Chiefs added multiple playmakers this offseason. However, his connection with Patrick Mahomes will allow him to continue to be an elite fantasy option, even at this stage of his career.
Tier 2: High Upside TE1
4. Dalton Kincaid, Bills
5. Trey McBride, Cardinals
6. Kyle Pitts, Falcons
This is the sweet spot for tight end value as Dalton Kincaid, Trey McBride, and Kyle Pitts all have a chance to finish as the TE1 this season. Yet, none of these players are being drafted inside the top 50 of ESPN redraft leagues.
McBride is usually the No. 4 tight end to come off the board, and it’s not hard to understand why after a breakout season in Year 2. Despite a revolving door at quarterback, McBride caught 81 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. The most encouraging thing is that in the eight games that McBride played with Kyler Murray, he averaged 67 yards per game. If he can continue that pace in 2024, he has a real shot to be the top fantasy tight end this year.
Kincaid is another fantastic option if you miss out on the top few tight ends. He plays with an elite quarterback (Josh Allen) and could be Buffalo's leading target-getter.
Kincaid averaged 50 yards per game from Week 7 on last year, and that included two games where he was held to less than 10 yards due to the weather. The touchdown total will need to improve if he wants to be an elite option, but he is a solid pick anytime after Round 4.
Tier 3: Reliable TE1
7. George Kittle, 49ers
8. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
9. Evan Engram, Jaguars
The next group of tight ends isn’t that exciting, but they provide a relatively high floor and are certainly passable for TE1s. George Kittle leads this list, coming off his third 1,000-yard season.
Kittle was the No. 5 tight end last season, but he has had durability questions throughout his career and plays on an offense with several other All-Pro players. Still, whenever he is healthy, he can produce high-end TE1 numbers.
Jake Ferguson had a breakout season in 2023 and is now the clear-cut starter going into the year. He finished the season with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. From Week 7 on, Ferguson averaged 52 yards per game and 4.5 receptions.
He became a real weapon for Dak Prescott, scoring three touchdowns in the playoff loss to the Packers. He isn’t a fantastic athlete, and that’s what holds him back from being a top-six option, but he is still a fantastic option if you miss out on the elite tight ends.
Tier 4: Low-End TE1 with Upside
10. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
11. David Njoku, Browns
12. Brock Bowers, Raiders
If you can't grab one of the tight ends in the first three tiers, have no fear, as the position is deeper than ever.
T.J. Hockenson is an interesting mid-round pick. He was on pace to finish as the TE1 in fantasy leagues last year before he tore his ACL and MCL against the Lions. He had a career-high 95 receptions in 15 games and averaged a whopping 64 yards per game. Hockenson will likely miss the first month of the 2024 season, but he could prove to be a league-winner by the end of the season.
David Njoku and Brock Bowers provide a ton of upside because they are dynamic with the football in their hands. But they each play on offenses with quarterback concerns, and they will play alongside other talented pass-catching weapons. However, they can help you win any given week due to their big-play potential.
