It can be very difficult to find tight ends that can fill out your lineup in Fantasy Football week in and week out. We’re currently in a cycle where the number of sure things at the position is frustratingly small, and investing in one of those top guys can cost you some serious draft capital.
That’s why it’s a good idea to scope out some tight ends that might go in the endgame of your draft and can end up being starter-caliber players if things break right. Here are four tight ends that you should be seeking out, especially if you don’t get one of the big dogs at the position.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Likely went on a tear late last season following Mark Andrews’ injury. He caught five touchdown passes in the Ravens’ last five games, and he added at least 50 yards in four of his last six. Obviously, the presence of Andrews is going to change the equation some. However, Andrews is also coming off an injury that cost him a big chunk of last year, and a recent car accident has led to him sitting out some practices.
Even if the veteran is ready to go on opening day, it feels like the Ravens, knowing to know what they have with Likely, will start to incorporate him more into the standard offense, especially considering that lack of punch at wide receiver after Zay Flowers. He could easily present a starting tight-end value at the end of your draft.
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
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The argument against Musgrave is that there are a lot of receiving mouths to feed in Green Bay. But when Musgrave was healthy last year, that was also the case, and yet he pretty quickly moved into the conversation for fantasy starting tight ends, even as a rookie. He was sitting at 33 catches and 341 yards ten games into the season when he picked up an injury. That led to Tucker Kraft filling in and putting up his own respectable Fantasy numbers at the position.
It’s telling that the Packers quickly worked Musgrave back into the rotation for the playoffs, and he torched Dallas for 3 catches, 51 yards, and a score. In his second year, he should only improve, and look for better touchdown luck for him as well after he only scored one during the 2023 regular season.
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
One of the things that stands out about Otton is that, unlike some of the other guys in the TE2 range, he won’t leave the field that often. The Bucs don’t really have a lot of depth at the position, which means Otton is in there in most formations. What’s interesting about Otton is how he finished last year.
When everything was on the line in the playoffs, he enjoyed perhaps his two best games. He ran roughshod over Philly with eight catches for 89 yards and then chipped in with five for 65 and a touchdown in the loss to Detroit. That could be a harbinger of things to come that would turn this steady tight end into more of a splash player.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Many probably assume that Ertz is washed up after an injury-plagued 2023. But the guy was a TE10 overall in 2021 and TE6 in 2022 in points per game, so it’s not like he’s that far removed from being Fantasy-starter worthy. Do you know what those years have in common with Ertz’s current situation? Kliff Kingsbury.
Kingsbury was head coach when Ertz enjoyed those productive seasons, and he’s now offensive coordinator with the Commanders. The fact that rookie Ben Sinnott was playing in the preseason when Ertz was resting with the starters should tell you that the veteran is going to be the guy come opening day. Look for solid catch and touchdown totals for the crafty veteran.
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