Fantasy Football Player Notes
2024 Draft Rankings
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1.
Sam LaPorta
DET (vs . MIN)
Sammy Ballgame had a rookie season for the ages. Last year, he logged the most PPR points and PPR points per game, the third-most receiving yards, and the most receiving touchdowns (tied) for a rookie tight end since 1966. He finished as the TE3 in fantasy points per game while also ranking sixth in target share and YPRR, 10th in first read share, and third in FD/RR (per Fantasy Points Data). Ballgame is in play to finish as the TE1 in 2024 and is worth paying up for in drafts.
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2.
Travis Kelce
KC (at DEN)
Kelce had a "down season" by his lofty standards, but it was still a strong showing as he remained the TE1 in fantasy points per game. Kelce maintained electric marks in efficiency third in YPRR and second in FD/RR while ranking third in target share (21.2%) and second in first-read share (25.8%, per Fantasy Points Data). Kelce isn't washed and remains Patrick Mahomes' WR1.
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3.
Mark Andrews
BAL (vs . CLE)
Before he was lost to injury in Week 11, Andrews was still producing as an elite tight end. In Weeks 1-10, he ranked third in target share (22.1%), fifth in YPRR (2.05), and fifth in FD/RR (0.102). Andrews has been a round two or three selection over the last few years. In 2024, Andrews comes at a discount, but make no mistake, he still has TE1 overall upside and remains a difference-making fantasy asset. He should challenge Zay Flowers for the team lead in targets this season.
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4.
Trey McBride
ARI (vs . SF)
McBride was on a tear at the end of last year, and I fully expect him to pick up right where he left off in 2024, where he left off. In Weeks 8-18, among tight ends, he ranked first in weighted opportunity and target share, fourth in YPRR and missed tackles forced, and fifth in PFF receiving grade. If you extrapolated that ten-game sample over a full season, McBride would have finished with 144 targets, 112 receptions, and 1,114 receiving yards. Yes, McBride will have to contend with Marvin Harrison Jr. weekly for the team target lead, but that's it. There isn't another soul on the Cardinals roster that will consistently push these two with a high-end target share. McBride could easily finish this season as the TE1 overall.
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5.
George Kittle
SF (at ARI)
Kittle proved last year that the tank isn't dry. He was the TE6 in fantasy points per game, finishing with the third-highest receptions and receiving yards of his career, while he ranked only tenth in raw target volume (90). Kittle's high leverage usage was fine, though, as he was first in deep targets and 10th in red zone targets among tight ends. Among 51 qualifying tight ends, he ranked first in YPRR (2.42) and seventh in FD/RR (0.10). Kittle can easily post another top-six fantasy tight end season in 2024, and the floor and ceiling will move upward if Deebo Samuel is moved before Week 1.
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6.
Kyle Pitts
ATL (vs . CAR)
Pitts was railroaded yet again last year by Arthur Smith, as he played most of the season at less than 100%. Pitts finished as the TE16 in fantasy points per game and the TE15 in expected fantasy points per game. Much of this can be attributed to his minuscule touchdown production (only three, 18th among TEs) and a non-existent red zone role (34th in red zone targets). While Pitts lagged in YPRR and FD/RR (18th in both), he still flashed in one of the metrics I look to for projecting talent and ceiling at the tight end position, and that's YPRR vs. man coverage. Last year, Pitts ranked seventh in this metric, immediately behind Travis Kelce. With a revamped offensive system, a clean bill of health, and improved quarterback play, Pitts is set to soar this season.
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7.
Dalton Kincaid
BUF (at NE)
After Kincaid became the starter for the Bills, he was a locked in TE1. In Weeks 7-18, he ranked seventh in target share (19.0%), ninth in receiving yards per game (50.5) and first-read share (21.0%), and 12th in YPRR (1.85). During that stretch, he ranked 11th in route per dropback rate and fantasy points per game. There's room for Kincaid to grow in 2024 with more routes and experience. He could enter the top three tight end conversation this year as the leader of the Bills' passing attack with Stefon Diggs moving on to Houston. Invest in talented second-year players in good offenses. Kincaid checks all those boxes.
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8.
David Njoku
CLE (at BAL)
David Njoku was superb in in 2023, his seventh NFL season, establishing new single-season highs in receptions (81), receiving yards (882) and touchdowns (6). But Njoku was far more productive with Joe Flacco at quarterback than he was with Deshaun Watson and other QBs. In the six games he played with Flacco (including the playoffs), Njoku averaged 6.2 receptions and 80.5 receiving yards per game, and he had four TD catches. In 11 games with QBs other than Flacco, Njoku averaged 4.6 receptions and 44.7 receiving yards per game, and he had two TD catches. In the five full games Watson played, Njoku averaged 4.0 catches and 35.2 receiving yards a game, with one TD catch. Njoku is one of the most athletic tight ends in the league, and despite his ample NFL experience, he'll only be 28 when the new season begins. The question is whether Njoku can replicate the success he had with Flacco as his quarterback if the Browns, as expected, open the season with Watson as their starting QB.
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9.
Jake Ferguson
DAL (vs . WAS)
One of the best fantasy values at the TE position in 2023, Ferguson had an average draft position of TE25 in PPR leagues, according to FantasyPros ADP data, but finished TE9 in PPR scoring. A fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin in 2022, Ferguson emerged as a dependable target for QB Dak Prescott, finishing with 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns. There might not be much more room for statistical improvement out of Ferguson, but he should once again be a prominent part of the Dallas passing attack in 2024.
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10.
Evan Engram
JAC (at IND)
After being considered a fantasy disappointment for the majority of his first five years in the league, Evan Engram has become one of the most productive pass catchers at the position. Engram finished TE6 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring in 2022, then finished TE2 last year (though it should be noted that three TEs finished less than 3 points behind Engram). With 114 catches in 2023, Engram shattered his previous single-season high by 41 receptions. He also had a career-high 963 receiving yards, though Engram averaged a career-low 8.4 yards per catch. As QB Trevor Lawrence's favorite security blanket, Engram had four games with double-digit reception totals in 2023 and eight games with seven or more receptions. Drops are seemingly always an issue for Engram, and he hasn't scored more than four touchdowns in a single season since he was a rookie in 2017. But Engram has become a high-quality fantasy asset and will be a good bet to once again return TE1 value in 2024.
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11.
Dallas Goedert
PHI (vs . NYG)
By now, we have a pretty good handle on what sort of player Dallas Goedert is. He reliably puts up good reception and yardage totals, but he's not a prolific touchdown scorer, and he gets banged up quite a bit. Over his last five seasons, Goedert has averaged 4.1 catches and 48.6 receiving yards per game. But Goedert has never scored more than five touchdowns in a single season, and he's missed 14 games due to injury over the last four years. Goedert's efficiency numbers slipped in 2023. After averaging better than 10 yards per target in 2021 and 2022, he averaged 7.1 yards per target last season. he also averaged a career-low 10.0 yards per catch. Goedert's fantasy ceiling may be somewhat limited due to the presence of Eagles WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who give Philadelphia one of the best wide receiver combos in the league. Consider Goedert a low-end TE1 for 2024 fantasy drafts.
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12.
Brock Bowers
LV (vs . LAC)
Widely considered one of the best TE prospects to enter the league in recent years, Brock Bowers went to the Raiders with the 13th overall pick of the NFL Draft. The 6-4, 230-pound Bowers had at least 56 catches and 714 receiving yards in all three of his seasons at the University of Georgia. He also scored 31 touchdowns in 40 collegiate games, including five rushing touchdowns. Bowers has good speed, terrific hands, and he's an absolute best after the catch. He lacks prototypical TE size, but Bowers plays bigger than he measures. Although the Raiders have one of the shakier QB situations in the league and have a target-hog receiver in Davante Adams, Bowers should nevertheless become fantasy-relevant right away because of his extraordinary athleticism and pass-catching ability.
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13.
T.J. Hockenson
MIN (at DET)
T.J. Hockenson would have been drafted as a top-six tight end in the vast majority of 2024 fantasy leagues if he hadn't torn his ACL and MCL on Dec. 24, putting his early-season availability for the new season in doubt. It's possible that the recovery from multiple ligament tears will keep Hockenson out until around midseason, and that he won't be his typically impactful self immediately upon his return. A healthy Hockenson is a fantasy difference-maker. He had 86 catches for 914 yards and six touchdowns in 2022, good for a TE2 finish in PPR fantasy scoring behind only Travis Kelce. Hockenson was having an even better season in 2023, with 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns before the injury. Monitor the reports on Hockenson's recovery throughout the offseason, and resist the temptation to overspend on a player trying to come back from major knee surgery.
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14.
Dalton Schultz
HOU (at TEN)
Dalton Schultz hasn't been able to recapture the glory of his 2021 season, when he had a career-high 808 yards and eight touchdowns to finish as the fantasy TE3, but he's been a decent fantasy performer over the last two years. Schultz had 57-577-5 in 2022 and 59-635-5 in 2023, finishing TE10 and TE11 in PPR fantasy scoring in those two seasons. Schultz re-signed with the Texans in the offseason, so he'll continue to play with impressive young QB C.J. Stroud. The problem is that Houston traded for WR Stefon Diggs in the offseason, so Schultz will likely be No. 4 in the target pecking order behind Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell, limiting his top-end fantasy potential.
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15.
Cole Kmet
CHI (at GB)
Credit Cole Kmet for defying the limitations of the Bears' low-octane passing attack. Over the last three seasons, Chicago has finished 25th, 32nd and 28th in passing yardage, but Kmet has finished with 612. 544 and 719 receiving yards in those three seasons. He had a career-high 73 catches last year and scored six touchdowns, finishing TE8 in PPR fantasy scoring. The Bears spent the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on QB Caleb Williams, so the Chicago passing game should have some added juice in 2024. The problem is that the Bears now have a WR trio of D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, so Kmet faces stuff target competition that could cap his fantasy upside. Consider him a high-end to midrange TE2.
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16.
Pat Freiermuth
PIT (vs . CIN)
After averaging 9.5 and 9.9 PPF fantasy points per game in his first two seasons in the league, Pat Freiermuth averaged only 6.4 PPR points per game in 2023, as he was thwarted by uneven QB play and a hamstring injury that cost him five games. Freiermuth had seven TD catches as a rookie in 2021. He only scored two touchdowns in 2022 but ramped up his yardage, finishing with 63 receptions for 732 yards. Freiermuth is adept at working the middle of the field, has dependable hands and is tough to bring down after the catch. A nine-catch, 120-yard performance vs. the Bengals in late November showed what Freiermuth is capable of. The Steelers aren't exactly loaded at the WR position, so Freiermuth should see enough targets in 2024 to give him a chance at low-end TE1 fantasy value.
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17.
Luke Musgrave
GB (vs . CHI)
Rangy and athletic, Luke Musgrave has the tools to become one of the better pass-catching tight ends in the league. A second-round draft pick out of Oregon State, Musgrave produced modest rookie-year numbers: 34 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown. But Musgrave missed six games with a lacerated kidney and was averaging a respectable 7.3 PPR fantasy points per game before he got hurt. Musgrave gets to play with QB Jordan Love, a rising star. One concern, however, is that the Packers spent a third-round draft pick on another tight end last year, Tucker Kraft, who also had some impressive flashes as a rookie. Musgrave profiles as a midrange TE2 for 2024 fantasy drafts, but he could come on fast.
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18.
Juwan Johnson
NO (at TB)
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19.
Hunter Henry
NE (vs . BUF)
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20.
Taysom Hill
NO (at TB)
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21.
Cade Otton
TB (vs . NO)
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22.
Tucker Kraft
GB (vs . CHI)
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23.
Chigoziem Okonkwo
TEN (vs . HOU)
A trendy sleeper choice a year ago, Chigoziem Okonkwo turned in a mildly disappointing season in 2023, but he's an intriguing post-hype sleeper candidate for 2024. After a promising rookie season in which he had 32 receptions for 450 yards and three touchdowns, Okonkwo boosted his reception and yardage totals in 2023, with 54 catches for 528 yards. But Okonkwo scored only one touchdown last season, and he went from 14.1 yards per catch and 2.61 yards per route run in 2022 to 9.6 yards per catch and 1.31 yards per route run in 2023. If young Titans QB Will Levis endures growing pains, Okonkwo's breakout chances could suffer. On the other hand, the Titans don't have a great deal of firepower at the WR position, which boosts Okonkwo's target outlook. Consider Okonkwo a midrange TE2 for 2024 fantasy drafts.
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24.
Isaiah Likely
BAL (vs . CLE)
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25.
Ben Sinnott
WAS (at DAL)
In deeper leagues or leagues with premiums on tight ends, Sinnott is a strong late-round pick. Yes, if you're combing through this article looking for Jahan Dotson's name, you won't find it. After two massively disappointing campaigns, Dotson has given little reason to hope for a third-year breakout, which is why I'm mentioning Sinnott and, subsequently, Luke McCaffrey next. This offense has the potential to surprise people in 2024. If that does happen, not only could Terry McLaurin and Brian Robinson pop among skill players, but Jayden Daniels is likely taking another player along for the ride. The fossilized remains of Zach Ertz are all that stand between Sinnott and a banner rookie season. Sinnott checks all the boxes that I look for with a tight end with massive upside. He's an electric athlete (9.7 RAS) and a widely underrated receiving threat. In 2023, he was ninth in YPRR and receiving grade while also checking in at fourth in missed tackles forced. If there's a rookie tight end that could pop in year one not named Brock Bowers, it's Sinnott.
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26.
Tyler Conklin
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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27.
Michael Mayer
LV (vs . LAC)
Michael Mayer had a somewhat disappointing rookie season for the Raiders, with 27 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games. He seemed like a candidate for a second-year breakout, but then the Raiders spent their first-round draft pick on mega-talented University of Georgia TE Brock Bowers, seemingly kneecapping Mayer's 2024 fantasy value. Mayer was wildly productive in college, with more than 800 receiving yards in his final two seasons at Notre Dame. Mayer averaged only 2.9 targets a game in 2023, and it's hard to imagine his weekly target counts significantly increasing when he has to share targets with Bowers and superstar WR Davante Adams.
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28.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
CAR (at ATL)
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29.
Noah Fant
SEA (at LAR)
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30.
Mike Gesicki
CIN (at PIT)
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31.
Tyler Higbee
LAR (vs . SEA)
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32.
Gerald Everett
CHI (at GB)
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33.
Dawson Knox
BUF (at NE)
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34.
Jelani Woods
IND (vs . JAC)
Woods' 2023 season was lost to hamstring woes. I'm not ready to toss in the towel. I will be drafting him a ton in deep leagues, as well as in best ball and formats where I need/want a late tight-end flier. High-end athleticism is such an easy thing to bet on with tight ends, as you essentially need it to enter the elite conversation for fantasy. Woods has that with his 89th percentile 40 time, 95th percentile burst, and 82nd percentile agility score. In a small sample, he also popped in efficiency metrics. In 2022, he ranked 14th in YPRR, 16th in FD/RR, and ninth in YPRR against man coverage. Injuries be damned. I can't say I'm back in for 2024 if, technically, I never left.
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35.
Darren Waller
NYG (at PHI)
Darren Waller was routinely coming off the board in the fifth or sixth round of 2023 fantasy drafts, but he was a major disappointment last year, missing five games due to a hamstring injury and averaging 9.4 PPR fantasy points in the games he played. He finished the 2023 season with 52 catches for 552 yards and one touchdown. Waller was once among the most impactful tight ends in football, producing back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons for the Raiders in 2019-2020. But Waller is entering his age-32 season and has missed 19 games over the last three years. Insist on a discount if you're thinking about investing in the oft-injured Waller for 2024.
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36.
Jonnu Smith
MIA (at NYJ)
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37.
Zach Ertz
WAS (at DAL)
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38.
Greg Dulcich
DEN (vs . KC)
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39.
Theo Johnson
NYG (at PHI)
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40.
Daniel Bellinger
NYG (at PHI)
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41.
Donald Parham Jr.
LAC (at LV)
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42.
Colby Parkinson
LAR (vs . SEA)
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43.
Logan Thomas
FA (BYE)
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44.
Hayden Hurst
LAC (at LV)
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45.
Kylen Granson
IND (vs . JAC)
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46.
Noah Gray
KC (at DEN)
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47.
Erick All Jr.
CIN (at PIT)
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48.
Tanner Hudson
CIN (at PIT)
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49.
Brevin Jordan
HOU (at TEN)
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50.
Jeremy Ruckert
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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51.
Cade Stover
HOU (at TEN)
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52.
Jaheim Bell
NE (vs . BUF)
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53.
Will Dissly
LAC (at LV)
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54.
Darnell Washington
PIT (vs . CIN)
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55.
Johnny Mundt
MIN (at DET)
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56.
Josh Oliver
MIN (at DET)
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57.
Will Mallory
IND (vs . JAC)
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58.
Austin Hooper
NE (vs . BUF)
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59.
Durham Smythe
MIA (at NYJ)
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60.
Brock Wright
DET (vs . MIN)
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61.
AJ Barner
SEA (at LAR)
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62.
Tip Reiman
ARI (vs . SF)
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63.
Foster Moreau
NO (at TB)
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64.
Cole Turner
WAS (at DAL)
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65.
Adam Trautman
DEN (vs . KC)
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66.
Tommy Tremble
CAR (at ATL)
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67.
Jared Wiley
KC (at DEN)
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68.
Irv Smith Jr.
KC (at DEN)
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69.
Luke Schoonmaker
DAL (vs . WAS)
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70.
Jordan Akins
CLE (at BAL)
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71.
Josh Whyle
TEN (vs . HOU)
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72.
Luke Farrell
JAC (at IND)
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73.
Harrison Bryant
LV (vs . LAC)
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74.
Brenton Strange
JAC (at IND)
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75.
Mo Alie-Cox
IND (vs . JAC)
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76.
Drew Sample
CIN (at PIT)
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77.
Pharaoh Brown
SEA (at LAR)
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78.
Tanner McLachlan
CIN (at PIT)
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79.
John Bates
WAS (at DAL)
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80.
Charlie Kolar
BAL (vs . CLE)
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81.
Stone Smartt
LAC (at LV)
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82.
Peyton Hendershot
DAL (vs . WAS)
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83.
Connor Heyward
PIT (vs . CIN)
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84.
Dallin Holker
NO (at TB)
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85.
C.J. Uzomah
PHI (vs . NYG)
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86.
Lucas Krull
DEN (vs . KC)
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87.
Ko Kieft
TB (vs . NO)
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88.
Josiah Deguara
JAC (at IND)
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89.
Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.
PHI (vs . NYG)
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90.
Drew Ogletree
IND (vs . JAC)
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91.
Charlie Woerner
ATL (vs . CAR)
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92.
Zack Kuntz
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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93.
Davis Allen
LAR (vs . SEA)
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94.
MyCole Pruitt
PIT (vs . CIN)
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95.
Robert Tonyan
MIN (at DET)
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96.
Jimmy Graham
FA (BYE)
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97.
Cameron Latu
SF (at ARI)
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98.
Jack Stoll
NYG (at PHI)
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99.
Elijah Higgins
ARI (vs . SF)
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100.
Ian Thomas
CAR (at ATL)
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101.
Brayden Willis
SF (at ARI)
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102.
Devin Culp
TB (vs . NO)
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103.
Hunter Long
LAR (vs . SEA)
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104.
Jody Fortson Jr.
MIA (at NYJ)
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105.
Brycen Hopkins
FA (BYE)
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106.
Daniel Helm
FA (BYE)
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107.
Jack Westover
SEA (at LAR)
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108.
Geoff Swaim
FA (BYE)
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109.
Teagan Quitoriano
HOU (at TEN)
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110.
Payne Durham
TB (vs . NO)
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111.
Quintin Morris
BUF (at NE)
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112.
Ross Dwelley
ATL (vs . CAR)
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113.
Brevyn Spann-Ford
DAL (vs . WAS)
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114.
Bryson Nesbit
FA (BYE)
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115.
James Mitchell
DET (vs . MIN)
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116.
Tucker Fisk
ATL (vs . CAR)
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117.
Stephen Sullivan
CAR (at ATL)
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118.
Julian Hill
MIA (at NYJ)
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119.
Nick Guggemos
FA (BYE)
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120.
Tyler Kroft
FA (BYE)
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121.
Kevin Rader
TEN (vs . HOU)
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122.
David Wells
TB (vs . NO)
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123.
Ben Sims
GB (vs . CHI)
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124.
Blake Bell
FA (BYE)
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125.
Mitchell Wilcox
NE (vs . BUF)
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126.
Nick Boyle
FA (BYE)
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127.
Chris Manhertz
NYG (at PHI)
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128.
Eric Tomlinson
IND (vs . JAC)
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129.
Marcedes Lewis
FA (BYE)
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130.
Trevon Wesco
FA (BYE)
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131.
Giovanni Ricci
CLE (at BAL)
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132.
Jesse James
FA (BYE)
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133.
Tyler Mabry
SEA (at LAR)
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134.
Tyree Jackson
NYG (at PHI)
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135.
Nate Adkins
DEN (vs . KC)
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136.
Curtis Hodges
FA (BYE)
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137.
Eric Saubert
SF (at ARI)
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138.
Rodney Williams
PIT (vs . CIN)
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139.
Cole Fotheringham
LV (vs . LAC)
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140.
Jesper Horsted
LV (vs . LAC)
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141.
Kenny Yeboah
NYJ (vs . MIA)
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142.
Anthony Firkser
DET (vs . MIN)
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143.
Sean McKeon
DET (vs . MIN)
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144.
Grant Calcaterra
PHI (vs . NYG)
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145.
Tommy Hudson
NO (at TB)
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146.
Shane Zylstra
DET (vs . MIN)
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147.
Nick Vannett
TEN (vs . HOU)
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148.
Zach Gentry
LV (vs . LAC)
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149.
Andrew Beck
HOU (at TEN)
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150.
Tanner Conner
MIA (at NYJ)
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