Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images
The tight end position has been a wasteland outside the top 3-5 TEs for a long time. In years past, I would stream tight end, which caused me to get Gary Barnidge and win a fantasy championship one year (humble brag). However, we seem to be at a turning point for the position, and dare I even suggest the TE position has some depth to it?
Sam LaPorta
Detroit Lions
2023 Finish: TE 1
Sammy Ballgame, the rookie out of Iowa, gained recognition for his skills as a pass-catching tight end. LaPorta was drafted into a perfect situation. Detroit already figured out their running back situation; they have stud inside wide receiver in Amon-Ra St. Brown and a deep ball threat in Jameson Williams.
All they needed was that last piece of the offense to make plays underneath. Enter Sam LaPorta. Due to his elite athleticism and route-running ability, LaPorta would then go on to break the rookie receiving record. LaPorta is set to be a staple of the Lions offense for many years to come, and he should only improve in 2024.
Very beginning of the 2nd Quarter.
Tied 3-3 with the Lions mounting a drive and crossing midfield.
Lions need a bucket and they move into scoring range with Jared Goff ripping it to Sam LaPorta three straight times for 30 yards.
Middle of the Field Merchant. pic.twitter.com/xsaGQQ6jHG
Travis Kelce (Swift)
Kansas City Chiefs
2023 Finish: TE 3
Travis Kelce failed to reach 1,000 yards for the first time in seven years. The Chiefs tight end has been a staple of the position for years. Kelce dealt with injuries this year, which displaced him from his usual TE1 role. For those of us who wait to draft a tight end, now might be the first year you can draft Kelce outside the top three rounds.
The injuries weren’t the only thing slowing Kelce down, as the Chiefs offense dealt with subpar play from their receivers for most of the year, allowing teams to key in on Kelce slightly more. Although Kelce only finished 16 yards shy of a 1,000-yard season, it certainly felt at times this year that there might finally be a chip in Kelce’s armor. That said, Kelce will still be a top-three tight end next year, and you shouldn’t be worried even a little bit.
David Njoku
Cleveland Browns
2023 Finish: TE 5
We have been waiting for the David Njoku breakout for six years now. In 2023, the breakout we were promised finally came. The 6'4" tight end possesses elite athleticism, which has always captivated fantasy managers. The Browns and their quarterback luck have helped temper those expectations; however, this year, Njoku would finish with a career-high in catches, yards, and touchdowns.
Just a reminder that David Njoku set career highs in catches, yards, TDs, and YAC last season.
Prime 85 is upon us. ? pic.twitter.com/s0boVkOd1e
Finishing just 118 yards from a 1,000-yard campaign, Njoku showed us what we have been waiting for. Although the Browns' quarterback situation is still a little messy, one thing we have seen is that Njoku is a staple of this passing attack. Following Njoku's 2023 breakout, I expect him to continue to improve in 2024.
Trey McBride
Arizona Cardinals
2023 Finish: TE 9
The standout tight end from Colorado State gained attention for his excellent size, athleticism, and ability to contribute both as a receiver and a blocker. Tight ends like Trey McBride often serve as versatile assets in football, capable of impacting both the passing and running aspects of the game. The Arizona Cardinals are trying to figure out their identity, but one thing is evident. The Cardinals found success when McBride was the center point of their passing attack.
Kyler Murray and McBride had an instant connection, which allowed McBride to have an incredible run down the stretch. If you picked McBride up off the waiver wire, there's a good chance he helped you win a fantasy championship. McBride broke the Cardinals single-season record for receptions by a tight end, which was held by Zach Ertz. Ertz finished the year with 825 yards, 81 catches, and three TDs. As the Cardinals offense continues to improve, McBride continue to thrive in 2024.
Tight Ends Likely to Finish Top 10 in 2024
George Kittle (TE2)
T.J Hockenson*(TE4)
Evan Engram (TE6)
Mark Andrews*(TE12)
Jake Ferguson (TE9)
Cole Kmet (TE8)
*Injury
(2023 Finish)
