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One of the most fun parts of managing a deep dynasty roster is cultivating value by planting seeds at the end of your bench during the offseason. We’ll go position-by-position and separate players out into Snorkel, Scuba, and Submarine levels to serve dynasty players of all levels.

This installment covers tight ends, a position where the league is more open to young players and wide receiver converts than previously.

Snorkel

Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN - Okonkwo did enough to create relevance in redraft leagues, so he’s probably not out there on the waiver wire but check just in case. He looks like the next Delanie Walker in Tennessee.

Mike Gesicki, MIA - Don’t get it twisted; Gesicki is still one of the top pure pass-catching “tight ends” in the league. The Dolphins didn’t understand what they had when they franchised him, but hopefully next free agency cycle, the team that pays up for him will want to use him primarily in the passing game.

Isaiah Likely, BAL - It’s difficult to get excited about any pass-catcher in Baltimore. But the Ravens are plenty excited about Likely, and his role is going to grow in upcoming years, probably into a core piece with the improvement he has shown as a blocker to supplement his already-known game as a receiver and runner after the catch.

Jelani Woods, IND - Woods was quite formidable in the red zone this year as a green rookie. He should grow into a larger role in upcoming seasons, with an underrated combination of size and athleticism.

Foster Moreau, LV - Moreau has had his moments as a Darren Waller replacement, and he projects as an athletic two-way starting tight end who should get a promotion in free agency.

Cade Otton, TB - Who knows who will start at quarterback for the Bucs or what their passing game will look like, but Otton is likely to be the starter and showed promise when various injuries to Cameron Brate forced him onto the field as a rookie.

Trey McBride, ARI - Zach Ertz's season-ending injury reminded folks about McBride, so he’s probably not on the wire, but check to be sure. He could easily be one of this team’s top pass-catchers in a year or two, with Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins not necessarily in the team’s long-term plans.

Scuba

Kylen Granson, IND - Granson was a Frank Reich favorite, so Reich’s firing takes some of the wind out of his dynasty sails, but he is still developing as a big slot and could play a larger role in the offense next year.

Brevin Jordan, HOU - Jordan looked like a tight end on the rise coming into this season, but injuries, a revolving door at tight end, and a stalled-out offense have held him back. He’s only 22 years and still has his best football ahead of him, just like the Texans passing game

Noah Gray, KC - The Chiefs reportedly loved Gray in the draft and last year in his first camp, and nothing he has done since then dispels the notion that he’s the heir to Travis Kelce. With Kelce getting up there in age, Gray could even get a chance to make an impact in fantasy leagues if Kelce gets hurt. A long-term connection with Patrick Mahomes II should have him on your dynasty radar.

Jake Ferguson, Peyton Hendershot, DAL - The Cowboys franchise tagged Dalton Schultz this year, but they chose not to sign him to a long-term deal. They also drafted Ferguson, who can do a Schultz impression, in the fourth round, and their athletic UDFA Hendershot stuck on the 53-man roster. Both have demonstrated that they can contribute in the passing game this year, and they could be splitting the tight end targets next year if Schultz walks in free agency.

James Mitchell, DET - Brock Wright might deserve a spot here, too, with his speed and production at times, but Mitchell is the one we want to watch long-term after T.J. Hockenson got traded, He has secured a roster spot as a fifth-round pick, and were it not for a knee issue he had before the draft, he might have been a second-day pick.

Tommy Tremble, CAR - With Frank Reich installed as head coach, the tight end position could become relevant in Carolina yet. Tremble could do a good impression of Will Dissly as a blocking tight end with a surprisingly dangerous game as an overlooked receiving threat.