Rookie tight ends have historically struggled to make an immediate fantasy football impact, until, of course, this past season. Sam LaPorta led the entire position in fantasy points as a rookie, which is extremely rare, and Dalton Kincaid was a very useful asset when he was allowed a chance to make a statistical impact.
While these two players might be outliers, this duo (especially LaPorta) proves the right rookie tight end in the right system can become valuable in the fantasy world. What’s more, this season’s class has one player who could be an instant star.
So, with Super Bowl LVIII in the rearview mirror and a very exciting offseason right ahead of us, let’s take a look at some of the best tight end prospects you’ll need to know about when it comes time to prepare for dynasty and re-draft leagues.
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY Sports
Bowers is without question the top tight end prospect in this class, not to mention one of the best in the last decade. He produced over 800 yards and 20 combined touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Bulldogs and was on pace to be even better last year had he not missed time with an injured ankle. Bowers is thought to be an even better prospect than Kyle Pitts, and he’s considered one of the most dangerous pass catchers and playmakers, regardless of position, in the draft.
There aren’t many weaknesses to Bowers’s game on the gridiron, though some scouts believe he can improve as a blocker. However, his overall playmaking skills overshadow that “flaw” and will make him a potential top-10 pick in the draft.
NFL player comparison: George Kittle
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Sanders is a super athletic player with a dynamic skill set who plays more like a wide receiver than a tight end. As a result, he can create mismatches all over the field and can be a matchup nightmare. That showed in his stat lines the last two seasons, producing 99 catches for 1,295 yards and averaged 13.1 yards per catch. That ranked tied for second in FBS among tight ends who had at least 52 targets.
The downside for Sanders is that he’s not a great blocker and needs work to be a detriment as an in-line player. Still, he’s got the tools to be a fantasy asset.
NFL player comparison: David Njoku
Cade Stover, Ohio State
Stover is a very physical player (he was originally recruited as a linebacker) who produced a career-high 41 catches for 576 yards in his final season with Ohio State. Because of his physical build at 6’4” and 251 pounds, Stover is a good in-line option and showed the ability to block well as an amateur. He graded well based on PFF data too, finishing in the top 12 in both offensive and pass route categories.
Stover isn’t an elite athlete like Bowers or Sanders, however, and he’s not going to burn anyone with his speed. He’s also an older rookie, turning 24 before his rookie year.
NFL player comparison: Noah Fant
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Sinnott’s value has risen in the last year, as he’s emerged into one of the better all-around tight ends in the class. He began his collegiate career as a fullback, so he can obviously block well and play in-line at the next level. Once he made the move to tight end, he showed off his pass-catching chops with 82 catches and over 1,100 combined receiving yards in his final two college seasons with the Wildcats.
Sinnott isn’t going to wow scouts with his athleticism, but he’s a workman at the position who can do a little of everything. I’m not sure I see him as a potential fantasy asset as a rookie, but Sinnott will have upside with the right team.
NFL player comparison: Dawson Knox
Theo Johnson, Penn State
Johnson is an absolute beast of an athlete at 6’6” and 257 pounds, so he will obviously have some potential NFL value as a red-zone target. That’s close to the same measurables as Darnell Washington, who came out of Georgia as a third-round pick last season. Like Washington, Johnson isn’t an explosive receiver and he’ll need to improve his route running to make a statistical impact in the NFL.
