Tier-Based Tight End Rankings for Redraft Fantasy Leagues

Frankie Taddeo -

While tight ends are valuable assets on the gridiron, they are easily the most overlooked skill position in fantasy football. Studs Travis Kelce and Sam LaPorta may fly off the board among the first 24 picks, but the majority of tight ends are still selected in the middle to late rounds. 

Despite all the attention on the elite duo, there are several other candidates whom fantasy managers will find among the top tiers on Sleeper for the 2024 season. As we've done for quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers, we’ll turn to the most recent Sleeper redraft ADP (based on PPR) to provide some context to our tiers, which should help set your expectations for when you’ll likely need to make your draft moves. 

Catch-up on our full tier-based ranking series by reading the following: 

Tier 1 - Elite Options 

  • Travis Kelce, Chiefs (ADP 20.8, TE1) 
  • Sam LaPorta, Lions (ADP 24.8, TE2) 
  • Mark Andrews, Ravens (ADP 45.8, TE3) 
  • Trey McBride, Cardinals (ADP 46.0, TE4) 
  • Dalton Kincaid, Bills (ADP 51.6, TE5) 

Many fantasy managers will be forced to invest premium draft capital to land Kelce or LaPorta, but those who wait on the position can be rewarded with a potential league-winner later on. 

Among this top group, Buffalo’s second-year emerging standout, Kincaid, is the clear value. The No. 25 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft hauled in 73 of 91 targets for 673 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie campaign.

In ‘24, Kincaid is poised to surpass Sleeper’s projections of 76 catches, 789 yards and five TDs due to what’s likely a heavily increased target share. 

Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, who respectively ranked first (160) and third (81) overall in targets for Buffalo, are no longer on the team. The voids they’ve left, coupled with Kincaid’s solid rapport with Josh Allen, points to the former Utah star being primed to deliver major production – and that’s at an early-fifth-round ADP. 

Tier 2 - Potential League-Winners 

  • George Kittle, 49ers (ADP 53.2, TE6) 
  • Kyle Pitts, Falcons (ADP 55.3, TE7) 
  • Evan Engram, Jaguars (ADP 67.6, TE8) 
  • Brock Bowers, Raiders (ADP 79.8 TE9) 
  • David Njoku, Browns (ADP 84.0, TE10) 
  • Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (ADP 86.6, TE11) 
  • Dallas Goedert, Eagles (ADP 102.2, TE12) 

Pitts is touted as a potential breakout candidate (again) given he’s now playing with Kirk Cousins in Atlanta, but the value is simply not there at his ADP. Once the production he displayed in college for Florida shows up in the NFL, he’ll be worth the draft capital. 

There are two players who jump out as potential league-winners in Tier 2, though: Engram and Ferguson. 

It’s perplexing to say the least that Engram continues to slip in drafts despite finishing with the most targets (143) of any tight end in the NFL last season. The Jaguars star turned that into 114 receptions for 963 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the arrival of wideouts Davis and Brian Thomas Jr., the veteran should continue to receive a heavy target share from Trevor Lawrence and can top Sleeper’s projections of 73 catches, 705 yards and four touchdowns. 

Ferguson is flying under-the-radar despite impressively finishing second on the Cowboys in targets (102) and being especially targeted in the red zone. Playing in a high-powered Dallas passing attack, he should eclipse Sleeper’s projections of 68 catches, 711 yards and five touchdowns. Be ready to pounce, as Dak Prescott’s No. 2 receiving weapon could still be on the board in the seventh round or later of your draft. 

Tier 3 - Deep Sleepers 

  • Isaiah Likely, Ravens (ADP 181.0, TE20) 
  • Tyler Conklin, Jets (ADP 193.4, TE23) 
  • Mike Gesicki, Bengals (ADP 218.5, TE26) 
  • Theo Johnson, Giants (ADP 244.1, TE 29) 

While this tier may not include the top names, these ‘Stash-N-Cash’ options have the potential to reward fantasy managers in the final rounds of drafts. 

Conklin has been a model of consistency earning exactly 87 targets in each of his last three seasons. While failing to score a touchdown last season, Conklin posted career-highs in receptions (61) and receiving yards (621).

With the return of Aaron Rodgers (who has historically utilized his TEs, targeting them on 17% of his career attempts) under center, expect the veteran Conklin to outpace Sleeper’s projections of 47 catches, 486 yards and three TDs. 

TE Patience Is Often Rewarded 

Championship fantasy football rosters are often constructed by placing a strong emphasis on WR and RB depth. Some of the most desirable TE targets this season — LaPorta, McBride, Kincaid and Ferguson — all owned redraft ADPs in the double-digit rounds last year. Don’t be afraid to wait on the position, as history has shown that late-round treasures can often finish with top-12 PPR production while allowing you the flexibility to load up where you really need to. 

If that’s not enough for total draft-day comfort, then do the research yourself for FREE this fantasy season on the Sleeper app. The fantasy football research tool allows you to check real-time ADP, conduct mock drafts and much more, and it’s all available for free. 

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