Four Tight Ends to Buy, Sell, or Hold in Dynasty Leagues
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone. We dynasty managers dive into rookie drafts, a lot of changes and it is time to adjust quicker than your league mates. I will use my own trades to support this article. Here are four tight ends to watch after the NFL Draft:
Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN – Sell
This one does not come as a shock for many who have known my tendency to rely on RAS score to evaluate tight end prospects. Ultimately, the narrative on Okonkwo has, and will continue to be his stature. At six foot two, he does not profile as a full-time tight end and the Titans used their fifth-round pick on his exact complement in Cincinnati tight end Josh Whyle. At TE15 in the latest ADP, there is very little room for Okonkwo to move up.
The Move – To preface, the sale of any tight end outside of the elite tier is a good process in a non-premium format (less than 1.75 PPR). However, where the demand is heightened (start two) or premium matters (1.75 or higher), there should be a market and I am fine moving Okonkwo in trades where I can cash out.
(12-team, 2 QB, 2 TE (2.25 PPR), start 12)
Evan Engram, JAC – Buy
This move seemed obvious a week before the NFL Draft when GM Trent Baalke commented on a potential long-term deal with Engram. However, the team complicated this when they selected Penn State tight end Brenton Strange in the second round. While managers were excited to acquire Engram before the draft, the time to buy is after the team selected another high-pedigree player at the same position. Engram is a historic target-earner and there is no doubt what his role in an offense is. Tied to a good quarterback, bet on him still signing long-term with the Jaguars and securing his position as a top-ten player at the position.
The Move – Consider buying in a league where tight end matters. Start two or 1.75 PPR, I want to maneuver around the board and make different bets against other managers betting that some players will perform at an elite level and others will not. In these formats, both are inside the threshold for starting in your lineup and it is a nice way to accumulate extra value to the roster.
(16-team SF, 2 TE (1.75 PPR), start 12)
Quintin Morris, BUF – Drop
The Buffalo Bills drafted Dalton Kincaid with the 25th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, less than a year after signing Dawson Knox to a contract extension. Morris was an intriguing prospect who rose to the number two on the depth chart last season, but ultimately, he became a cut candidate with the influx of tight end prospects entering the league after this draft.
The Move – Pretty simple. I am cutting Morris in any format. He might be a player to watch as we get into the preseason but the path to relevance in Buffalo is likely done.
Adam Trautman, DEN – Add
Sean Payton put his stamp on the Broncos draft as he traded for tight end Adam Trautman, a player he drafted three years ago when he was in New Orleans. This comes after the comments about an open competition at the tight end position which does not bode well for the current TE9 in ADP, Greg Dulcich. Trautman enters the final year of his rookie contract and should be added immediately in any league where he is available.
The Move – As a caveat to the above, make sure the format matters (start two and/or 1.75 PPR). In addition, I would not be opposed to moving back in the draft in the third round in one of these formats and adding Trautman to the trade.
Courtesy of RAS
Conclusion – The TE market is very flat and there is a lot changing with the influx of more than half-a-dozen new players from the 2023 class. Be sure to grind the depths of the waiver wire and trade options in leagues where tight ends matter.
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