Rookie tight ends have been about as productive in fantasy football as The Dude, Jeff Bridges’s lazy character, in the film “The Big Lebowski.” Historically, it’s just not a position that’s thrived in the stat sheets among the youngsters. I chronicled this in my look back at the top rookie fantasy tight ends over the last 23 NFL seasons.
There wasn’t much to like, unfortunately.
Last season, not a single first-year tight end scored over 100 fantasy points. The best of the bunch, Chigoziem Okonkwo, scored 97.2 points and finished as the TE25. Just one player, Greg Dulcich, averaged more than eight points per game, and he missed seven contests due to injuries. As you can tell, rookie tight ends just aren’t big targets in fantasy redrafts. And while this year’s class has some real talent between the white lines, the results are quite likely to remain the same.
Of course, where a player is ultimately selected is as important as the skills and abilities he brings to the table. While we’ll have to wait to find out the new homes of all the top prospects until later this month in the NFL draft, we don’t have to wait to project their best possible landing spots from a fantasy football standpoint.
With that said, here’s my top five tight end prospects, their current NFL player comparison and which team would be their best fantasy fit. I realize some of these moves might be unlikely, but it gives you an idea of where a player will work best.
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1. Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Mayer is considered the most well-rounded tight end in the 2023 draft class. Not only can he move the chains as a pass catcher in the short and intermediate attack, but he can also be used in-line as a blocker. He was a stat sheet stuffer at Notre Dame, catching 70-plus passes for over 800 yards with 16 combined touchdowns in his final two seasons. Mayer would be a great fit for the Las Vegas Raiders, who traded Darren Waller to the New York Giants and lack a long-term solution at the position (sorry, Austin Hooper and O.J. Howard).
Player comparison: Jason Witten
Best fantasy fit: Las Vegas Raiders
2. Dalton Kincaid, Utah
Kincaid is coming off a monster season at Utah, catching 70 passes for 890 yards and eight touchdowns. A tremendous pass catcher who is also a good route runner, Kincaid has all the tools to make an impact in fantasy. He doesn’t have the same blocking skills as Mayer, but plenty of tight ends have been able to overcome that deficiency and thrive in the stat sheets. The Detroit Lions are a perfect landing spot, as Kincaid would come in and be the new T.J. Hockenson.
Player comparison: Greg Dulcich
Best fantasy fit: Detroit Lions
3. Darnell Washington, Georgia
Washington was a star at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, which of course bolstered his draft stock. He’s a huge tight end at 6’7” and 264 pounds, making him a perfect in-line option and potential red-zone force in the passing game. Washington won’t be a fantasy superstar at the next level, as I think he’ll be more of a solid “real” player than a stat sheet stuffer. There are plenty of teams in need at tight end, but the Green Bay Packers are a good fit after losing Robert Tonyan as a free agent. He’ll be more of a No. 2 fantasy option, though.
Player comparison: Marcedes Lewis
Best fantasy fit: Green Bay Packers
4. Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
Musgrave dealt with injuries in each of his last two years with the Beavers, playing a combined 12 games. When he was on the field, Musgrave showed off well-rounded skills, good route running skills and hands. If he can avoid injuries, which has obviously been a problem, Musgrave could turn into a viable fantasy starter in the future. He would be a nice fit for the Cincinnati Bengals, who signed Irv Smith Jr. but don’t have a long-term option at the position.
Player comparison: Mike Gesicki
Best fantasy fit: Cincinnati Bengals
5. Sam LaPorta, Iowa
LaPorta posted 50-plus catches and over 650 yards in each of his last two seasons at Iowa, where he played a big role in the Hawkeyes offense. He’s a far better pass catcher than a blocker, though, so he’ll likely be playing a lot of “move” at the next level. Many Iowa tight ends have found success in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys could use a player at the position after losing Dalton Schultz.
