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In some fantasy football circles, tight end is regarded closer to kicker or team defense than to quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. Maybe that’s because it has been so difficult to find enough consistent tight end plays for most teams in a league to have a reliable play at tight end.

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In 2024, we really truly might have the deepest group at tight end that we can remember, but a large enough spread among the top 12 to create a diversity of strategies and keep the position vital even if it is against the wishes of some that would fold the position into a WR/TE group or axe it altogether.

The Key to Tight End Drafting in 2024

The biggest story at the tight end position in 2023 was that the top scorers were around 15 points per game in PPR leagues, significantly down from the level Kelce/Andrews had established at the top of the position in recent years. The top tier also has some youthful new names, and they likely have their best football ahead of them. Will Kelce/Andrews return to top form? Will one of the youngsters take the crowd? Or will it be another overall disappointing season at the position?

If you think you can nail which tight ends in the top six emerge from the pack to score a level higher than any tight end did in 2023, then take your guy. The best options are cheaper than they have even better.

If you don’t have clarity on which tight end(s) to target in the top six or just think that 2023 will be the new norm at the top of the position, then wait, there are lots of options later on, actually probably right up until the end of your draft.

Let’s run down the options for the people who still value this position, which is part offensive lineman, part pass catcher, and 100% football guy.

Strong TE1

Sam LaPorta, DET
Travis Kelce, KC
Mark Andrews, BAL
Trey McBride, ARI

Target at ADP: Andrews
Consider at ADP: LaPorta, Kelce, McBride

In 2023, the top tier of fantasy tight ends scored at a much lower clip than previous years. It was also a lot more crowded, so this year, it’s much cheaper to dip into this tier. Should you? If you believe in the 2024 ceiling case - setting a scoring level significantly above 2023 - then the price is right on any of the four.

LaPorta having a hamstring issue in camp dampens some of the fun in taking him as TE1 or TE2, but he can definitely take a step forward from a stellar rookie year in one of the elite NFL offenses.

Kelce was pedestrian along with Patrick Mahomes II and the Chiefs passing game last year. The fantasy community sees Mahomes staying at his elite level but has the pack catching up to Kelce. That could make him the best pick in this tier. The deep passing game revival should open up room for him to operate and he looked like his old self in the playoffs.

Like the rest of the Ravens offense, Andrews is set up for an efficiency spike. Even with Isaiah Likely growing into a bigger role as the TE2, Andrews is still Lamar Jackson’s favorite target, and he is the best value in the top tier, going third or fourth off of the board.

How much of McBride’s breakout was a lack of target competition? How much does that matter with this offense on the rise? I’d let someone else take McBride if it was dipping into the top tier, but he could be the best pick.

Breakout TE1

Dalton Kincaid, BUF
Kyle Pitts, ATL

Brock Bowers, LV

Consider at ADP: Kincaid, Pitts, Bowers

This tier could yield the top tight end of the season, but taking either at ADP means only banking a small discount from the top tier in exchange for a lot more uncertainty if you take Kincaid or Pitts, but a larger discount if you take Bowers. The overall discount at tight end makes them worth the plunge if you are a believer.

Kincaid’s ceiling is lowered by a healthy Dawson Knox, but the 2023 first-rounder could still emerge as Josh Allen’s top target. Remember, he was injured during the draft process and got a bit of a late start last season.

Pitts' price didn’t get the Kirk Cousins bump like Drake London’s, but maybe the skepticism is warranted. He is healthier with a much better situation in both coaching and quarterback. If he doesn’t break through this year, it’s not going to happen.

Bowers is a special talent at tight end, but his quarterback play and a run first approach will limit his ceiling. Then again, he was getting targets over a lot of future NFL players in college, so he could demand more targets once the Raiders see what they have.

BOOM/Bust TE1

George Kittle, SF
Dallas Goedert, PHI

Target at ADP: Goedert
Consider at ADP: Kittle

This tier has the potential to win your week, but they’re not the most durable tight ends, and they have a lower weekly floor than some of the tight ends going after them.

Kittle will be one of the best picks in your draft if Brandon Aiyuk gets traded before the season, and he could still be a good pick at the cheapest price tag he has come with in a long time.

Kellen Moore made the tight end position productive in Dallas, and he didn’t have a tight end as good as Goedert. He is also probably still the #3 target, even though the Eagles added Jahan Dotson. Goedert is cheap for a tight end who could be set up for a career year.