2024 Rookie Drafts: Tight End Tiers Primer
With the NFL Draft now past us, there are far more data points to use when assessing rookie tiers. Of course, film and analytics from their college days got us most of the way there but draft capital and situation have now completed the puzzle for what should now give us a clear picture of where these rookies should fall in your rankings.
There are so many amazing rookies in this class across the positions who I would love to dive into, but I drew the short straw and now will have to get you excited about a relatively depressing position for the incoming class, tight ends.
When I took this assignment, I thought all hope was lost and I was going to have to make an entire article about the top prospect since the rest are undraftable but the fantasy gods heard our concerns and gave us a lot more to be excited about than anyone could have predicted.
So here we go with the tiered rankings of the incoming tight end class of 2024.
Tier 1 – Potential Star
Brock Bowers, LV
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Bowers is the top tier in this class and is the only tight end who will go anywhere near the top of rookie drafts. But that doesn’t mean he’s a sure thing. In fact, he landed in the same spot as a player who was in last year’s top tier for tight ends (Michael Mayer). I think that most will tell you that Mayer’s fantasy value is now dead and Bowers is the new king, but I doubt it is that simple for the highly touted rookie.
Along with Mayer looming, Bowers will also be competing with incumbent WR2 Jakobi Meyers in the battle for Davante Adams leftovers and this is all coming from either Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew. Gross, I know! But Bowers is the most productive tight end in college football history and will find a way to have an impact, it just might be a little sporadic and unpredictable at the beginning. As is the case with any rookie tight ends, so be patient with the future star in the making.
Tier 2 – Possible Starter or Bye Week Fill-ins
Ben Sinnott, WAS
Ja’Tavion Sanders, CAR
The uninspiring battle for TE2 in this class has seen multiple names thrown around pre-draft but it appears that two have emerged as the top candidates for that title.
My choice for TE2 pre-draft was clearly shared with the Washington Commanders as they took Sinnott in the second round, something even the most ardent supporter of Sinnott would consider a reach. He lands in a spot that just saw starting tight end Logan Thomas vacate and has very little competition to be the starting tight end for incoming rookie Jayden Daniels. There is nothing from the draft that changes my mind that Sinnott should be on your radar in the early third round of your rookie drafts.
In the same range, we find Sanders who also fell into a great spot with the Carolina Panthers. They snatched the big tight end with the first pick of the fourth round. Sanders was touted by many draft pundits as the second-best pass catcher in his class whose weaknesses are more around blocking which only matters for fantasy if it limits his snaps.
Both players could use some polish but with little competition and plenty of athleticism, these players should find their way into fantasy lineups in short order. That is something I don’t think a lot of people thought was possible when looking at this class pre-draft.
Tier 3 – Dart Throws With Upside
Theo Johnson – NYG
Cade Stover – HOU
Jaheim Bell – NE
Johnson is a combine darling who landed in a spot that just lost Darren Waller to retirement. At 6’6”, 259 with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, Johnson clearly has the athleticism and size teams covet. The question is whether he has the skill to be a productive player in the NFL. At the end of the fourth or post-draft waiver wire, he is at least worth a look at a position that is hard to find big upside outside of the top of the position.
Cade Stover has a fascinating profile from running back in high school to linebacker early in his college career. He turned himself into a fourth-round NFL pick at tight end. While we love anyone tied to CJ Stroud, Stover is a project who will take a couple of years. Dalton Schultz is locked in at the position for at least two years and there are three big-time pass catchers at wideout. Stover should only be considered for an empty taxi spot.
Now Jaheim Bell doesn’t have the draft capital as the others, but I found him fascinating coming into the draft and he ended up behind only Hunter Henry with the Patriots. Could the hybrid FB/TE see a unique role similar to how the Pats were expected to use Jonnu Smith as a complement to Henry? Perhaps, it is worth keeping him on your radar but not using a roster spot on at this time.
Tier 4 – I Guess If He Stays Healthy
Erick All, CIN
I mean, he’s from Iowa and he landed with the Bengals so sure, maybe, I guess. But he needs to play a full year before even ending up on the radar.
Tier 5 – No Thanks
Everyone Else
Tip Reiman is a blocking tight end who was wildly overdrafted. The Eagles Johnny Wilson might flip to tight end but that is not certain and he’d still be competing with Dallas Goedert for reps while at a new position. AJ Barner lands with a team that hates tight ends. Devin Culp is fast but got drafted by the Bucs which is hardly exciting. Jared Wiley is another Noah Gray and Travis Kelce makes that role special, not the role itself. It’s a huge no thanks – you can find better on the waiver wire in basically all leagues.
So here is where we end it, one stud, two dart throws, three maybes, one huge longshot and a whole lot of nothing. Get pumped for this year’s tight ends!
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