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The 2024 NFL Draft is finally in the rearview mirror, and although there are still over four months until the 2024 season begins, it's time for an early look at the new fantasy football season. Last week's draft was full of incredible surprises and excitement, but only 12 tight ends were selected. That's the fewest since 2021.
Although Brock Bowers and Ben Sinnott were the only two players at the position picked in the first two rounds, there are a handful of sleeper candidates that could make impacts right away.
Ahead of 2024 fantasy drafts, let's take an early peek at three rookie tight end sleepers and their fantasy outlooks. Two of these players could be Day 1 starters, while our final selection is a long shot with upside. It's also worth noting it often takes tight ends a few years to develop, so there are no sure things. Nevertheless, let's dive in!
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Erick All, Cincinatti Bengals
Erick All was not a mega-producer in four seasons at Michigan and one campaign at Iowa, but he played in run-first offenses and battled injuries throughout his collegiate career. That didn't stop the Bengals from making him the sixth tight end off the board with the No. 115 overall pick, and it won't stop him from entering the fantasy radar.
All played a physical style of football in the Big Ten, and his 6'4", 252-pound frame should translate well to the NFL. He has room to grow as a receiver, and landing in Cincinnati with Joe Burrow is as good an outcome as he could have hoped for. All is likely to begin the offseason behind veterans Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson on the depth chart, but the experienced and explosive pass-catcher should at least earn the TE2 role in short order.
Another one for @HawkeyeFootball 👏👏@Cademac_12 finds @eallindi83 this time ✨ pic.twitter.com/kujCqhp6s8
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 2, 2023
With Tyler Boyd out of town behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, a new No. 3 receiver will have to step up. That could be former Alabama wideout Jermaine Burton, but All has every opportunity to seize a significant role in one of the best offenses in the NFL.
The rookie is likely not worth drafting in shallow 12-team leagues, but deep-league fantasy managers can push the button on him as a late-round backup flyer in 2024 -- especially in best ball formats.
Theo Johnson, New York Giants
If athletic testing was all that mattered for NFL prospects, Theo Johnson likely would have been a first-round pick. The former Penn State Nittany Lion had a historically great performance at the 2024 NFL Combine, posting "elite" speed and explosiveness grades and "great" size and agility scores.
For whatever reason, his off-the-charts athleticism didn't translate to earth-shattering production, but former fifth-round pick George Kittle had an eerily similar profile. That's not to say Johnson is going to turn into Kittle at some point in his career, but he's a comparable prospect in terms of athleticism and production in the Big Ten.
| Prospect | George Kittle (2017) | Theo Johnson (2024) |
| Draft Pick | 5.02 | 4.07 |
| Height | 6'4" | 6'6" |
| Weight | 247 | 259 |
| 40-Time | 4.52 | 4.57 |
| Vertical Jump | 39" | 39.5" |
| Broad Jump | 11' | 10'5" |
| College Rec. Yards | 737 | 938 |
| College TDs | 10 | 12 |
While landing in New York with quarterback Daniel Jones may scare some fantasy managers away, it's worth noting that Darren Waller is considering retirement, and Johnson can turn short receptions into big plays and act as a primary target in the red zone. Daniel Bellinger has failed to make a significant impact through his first 29 NFL games, and the team's decision to draft Johnson signals they'd like more upside at the position.
Outside of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, New York's pass-catching unit consisting of Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Wan'Dale Robinson leaves a lot to be desired. Projected starting running back Devin Singletary is nothing special in the receiving game either, so Johnson has a real opportunity to be one of Jones' favorite targets in Year 1.
Many fantasy managers look to take shots on a few high-upside tight ends late in drafts instead of paying up for studs like Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson. If that's your style, Johnson fits what you're looking for.
Touchdown @theo_Johnson_ 🙌@PennStateFball keeps it rolling pic.twitter.com/veZUfzV2nA
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 14, 2023
Devin Culp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
With a lot of the other Day 3 tight ends landing in tough spots for early-career production, Devin Culp takes the No. 3 spot on this list. It's worth noting he was a seventh-round pick -- meaning he's far from guaranteed to make Tampa Bay's 53-man roster ahead of Week 1. If he can show out in rookie minicamp and beyond, he'll enter the fantasy radar in deep setups.
At 231 pounds, Culp posted a 4.47 forty-yard dash, which ranks in the 99th percentile among tight ends. He only accumulated 711 yards in four seasons at Washington, but considering he was sharing the field with wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan over the last few years -- he gets the benefit of the doubt.
HEISMAN MOMENT from Michael Penix Jr 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WuwximHj3y
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 5, 2023
Current starting tight end Cade Otton has been "fine" through his first two NFL seasons, but he hasn't hit the 500-yard mark, and he's far from an impressive athlete. Ultimately, his ceiling could be capped as a middle-of-the-line possession receiver at the tight end spot. If Culp flashes his speed down the field this offseason, he could become a sneaky deep threat for gun-slinging quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Given the uncertainty Culp faces ahead of his rookie campaign, he's likely not worth selecting in fantasy drafts just yet. That said, every deep-league fantasy gamer should have him on their "watchlist" as a potential late-round sleeper.
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