Are you ready to step up your fantasy football game and spot the under-the-radar talent that can lead you to victory in the upcoming NFL season? The season begins in ten weeks, but we are already researching some potential fantasy picks. Today, we dive into the world of NFL tight ends, uncovering four sleepers who might just be the key to dominating your fantasy league in 2024-25.
Meet the Sleeper Picks
Evan Engram - Current Sleeper ADP: 67 or TE8
I know what you are thinking about seeing a guy like Engram on this list. You are saying wow thanks Ken for that sixth-round "sleeper" but I think he has major slip potential in drafts. When you see some of the names around him like George Kittle and Brock Bowers people will say those guys have higher ceilings. But I think Engram has a much better situation than both of those guys.
Engram finished as tight end two in full PPR last season, only nine points back of Sam LaPorta. He was tight end four in average points per week, just behind LaPorta, Kelce & Hockenson. But I care more about that first statistic, as the best ability is availability. He also has breakout week potential, as he scored 17+ points on four occasions, and all of them came in the final six weeks of the season.
The Jaguars had Calvin Ridley depart this off-season, being replaced by Gabe Davis, so I expect Engram to be a big red zone guy this year. And with no other legitimate TE receiving threats on the roster I would be happy to plug this guy into my lineup every week, while also getting my WR/RB depth before having to take him.
Dallas Goedert - Current Sleeper ADP: 104 or TE12
We are talking about TE14 a year ago on a total points list here now. He is a name that you will look at, and quite frankly people will overdraft due to his name recognition. So we are telling you right now: do not reach, but if he is there in round nine draft Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia may take a step back in the run game with the retirement of future hall-of-famer Jason Kelce. So leaning on Jalen Hurts passing ability more this year may be required.
The Eagle's one-two punch of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith is deadly, but there are still plenty of other targets to go around. Goedert did miss three games last year, but when healthy he was a very good tight-end option in fantasy. He had six or more targets in eight of his fourteen games but just lacked the touchdown output. Dallas has never truly been a red zone target in Philadelphia, but his ability to consistently put points on the fantasy board is incredibly valuable.
You should draft Dallas if you loaded up on RB/WR in the first eight rounds, maybe even snagged your quarterback as well. The tight end position can often be the position that you sacrifice to acquire depth at other spots, but grabbing Goedert, along with a late flyer, ensures you have this position locked down for the 2024 season.
Luke Musgrave - Current Sleeper ADP: 134 or TE17
The youngest player on this list is a cheese head that we believe is the TE1 by a mile on his team. Luke Musgrave, entering his second season out of Oregon State, is a late pick that we love. People may chuckle at that, given he was tight end 31 in PPR last year, generating just 75.2 points. This was not even the best output on his own team last year, as Tucker Kraft was ahead of him. Do not forget that Luke missed the last six weeks of the season, which were Jordan Love's best games as well.
Even when Jordan was experiencing his growing pains, Musgrave was a key piece in the offense. Every other week he was going for 50+ yards, just needs to up his touchdowns this season. With Tucker Kraft still on the PUP list I think he could lose his spot outright, even when he returns from injury. With the emergence of Love as a franchise quarterback as well, we can assume his yards and touchdowns will only go up, meaning more production for Luke.
This is the type of guy I would draft to go along with an Engram or Goedert. You do not wait to take Musgrave and assume he is going to be a top-eight tight end in fantasy this year. You do take him though as a great safety net with the potential to crack the top ten by year's end.
Chigoziem Okonkwo - Current Sleeper ADP 184 or TE23
This is a late-round flyer play, but one that I think has plenty of value. Look, injuries happen in fantasy football every single year. You look at your team post-draft and convince yourself that you are going to win the chip. You got the bell-cow backs, a couple of stud wide receivers, and maybe you got that top-six tight end. But then one snap happens and that tight end you grabbed early is done for the year, so how do you pivot?
You take a guy like Chigoziem in the last round to ensure you have some tight-end depth. Not a household name at all, but that is largely due to his lack of touchdown production. Yes, one touchdown for a tight end is concerning, but there is no doubt Okonkwo played much better once Will Levis took over the reins of the quarterback position. In the last seven weeks of the season, he averaged just shy of five targets per game, four catches, and 46 yards per game.
That means you get 8-10 points per week without the touchdowns. I am not saying that Okonkwo will be a fantasy winner this year, but a perfect safety net at a position that is often a waiver-wire wasteland.
These tight ends possess a unique blend of talent, determination, and drive that set them apart from the rest of the pack. So, as you draft your fantasy team for the 2024-25 NFL season, remember to consider these hidden gems among the tight-end ranks. Their talent, determination, and potential for explosive performances make them worthy candidates for your fantasy lineup. They might just be the key to unlocking your fantasy football success this season!
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