One of the most frustrating position groups in fantasy last year was the tight end. Unlike with running backs and wide receivers, there are not many replacement level tight ends in the league. Regarding fantasy production, each NFL team might have two or three viable starting receivers and two viable running backs but at most only one usable tight end. Some don’t even have that.
Drafters can either spend up on the likes of Gronk, Kelce, and Ertz or try to nail an upside guy later in the draft. Both strategies have merit. Gronkowski, for example, was the tight end that was on the highest percentage of championship squads in 2017. Unsurprisingly, Gronk was also the highest scoring tight end in 2017 with 12 points per game. However, taking Gronk in the second round means passing on either a starting running back or wide receiver. If you are a savvy drafter, you can probably find replacement level value for a wide receiver or running back later on.
If you choose to forego the Big 3 early on, you will have to nail your late round pick(s). There are only a handful of tight ends that can be taken late that have both the talent and the opportunity to produce as a top-5 player at the position. Let's take a closer look at who they are and why they could help you win your league.
TREY BURTON:
For Bears fans, this one seems obvious. Luckily for us, the rest of the drafting population hasn't quite come around on the Nagy renaissance in Chicago this year. That means Burton is going at the 8/9 turn in drafts. That's excellent value for a guy with the kind of upside Burton represents.
Trey put up three TDs and 112 combined yards in his only two starts last year. That type of production isn't sustainable over a whole season, particularly for a tight end. It is proof, though, that he has the talent to be successful in an offense that features the tight end. Matt Nagy's offense turned Travis Kelce into a star, and the Bears just inked Burton to a four-year, $32 million contract. This team is ready to feature Burton prominently, and he is an excellent target for those who wait to draft a tight end.
GEORGE KITTLE:
Jimmy Garoppolo spent years as the understudy to Brady. Jimmy G watched his quick release and the love for the TE. Now as the starter in San Fransisco Garoppolo can utilize his own ridiculously quick release (his college coach said only Dan Marino was quicker). To top it off, Jimmy G has his own athletic pass-catching tight end in George Kittle. At 6'4" Kittle towers over the rest of Garoppolo's receivers which will make him an alluring end zone target. Add to that the fact that he is a tenacious run blocker and you have a guy who should be on the field with the starting offense for the bulk of meaningful snaps.
Kittle already promised fourth-round upside in the ninth-round, but after banging up his shoulder in the preseason, he may slip further into the double-digit rounds. Not to worry, the shoulder sustained no structural damage, and he should be good to go by the time real games get underway.
DAVID NJOKU:
Sadly, Njoku's eleventh-round ADP will probably climb after he scored two TDs in Cleveland's first preseason game. That may have opened America's eyes to what savvy fantasy football owners already knew: David Njoku is a baller. In 2017 the hyper-athletic Njoku managed four TD grabs while playing in a timeshare on a 0-16 team with horrendous quarterback play. Tyrod Taylor made Charles Clay a startable fantasy tight end, and it seems like Mayfield is probably better than Tyrod. Between the suddenly competent quarterback play in Cleveland and the Browns realizing Seth Devalve has no business taking snaps away from anyone, Njoku is poised to make a huge fantasy impact without costing you a premium pick.
JARED COOK:
This could be Cook's swan song. After nine serviceable years in the league, Jared Cook could finally make an impact in fantasy. Maybe. Probably not. Considering is going in the 16th round, though, it might be worthwhile to take a flier on a 6'5" guy in the Oakland offense. Jordy is 6'3" and Cooper is just 6'1". On paper, Cook should be the end zone target for a healthy Derek Carr. That alone presents an opportunity for fantasy value.
JAKE BUTT:
I have to admit it, I am a Butt man. Jake Butt was arguably Michigan's greatest tight end. The two-time All Big Ten player and 2016 All American was destined to be a first-round pick. Then disaster struck in the Orange Bowl. 2018 is effectively Butt's rookie season. Luckily, he is playing with Keenum instead of the carousel of mediocrity that was the Broncos quarterback room in 2017. It’s worth noting that Keenum tossed eight touchdowns to Kyle Rudolph last year. That tied the Vikings’ tight end with Gronk, Kelce, and Ertz for TD receptions. Butt has the talent and size to have a solid fantasy season this year. It helps that he is playing with a quarterback who has a proven predilection for the tight end. Not too shabby for a guy you can draft after your kicker.
