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After you reach a certain tier for tight ends in fantasy football, there isn't a drastic difference from the No. 10 to the No. 20 ranked tight end. If you punt the position, it's all about finding that upside and taking a chance once you reach the late rounds of fantasy football drafts. Fantasy managers can afford to take risks on a variety of different players, including prospects, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even skilled players with potential playing time concerns.
This article will present five late-round tight end sleepers for you to consider drafting this season. Our editors have hand-picked these specific NFL players for your draft prep enjoyment. Normally only available to Premium subscribers, the outlooks below are meant to give you a taste of the in-depth analysis you receive with our industry-leading 2024 Draft Kit.
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Luke Musgrave, Packers - Fantasy Football Outlook
If you're looking for a tight end to swoop in and push your fantasy football season over the edge, look no further than Green Bay Packers tight end Luke Musgrave. The Packers did their best to put him on the map by not drafting a tight end or signing any notable competition, which is like your boss handing you a project and saying, "It's all yours, kid." Musgrave's rookie season in 2023 was a mixed bag. He was an inconsistent fantasy option with only 11 games played, 34 receptions for 352 yards, and one touchdown.
The 23-year-old missed six games due to six weeks with a lacerated kidney and split time at the end with Tucker Kraft. However, it's important to remember that tight ends often require time to adapt to the NFL. As we approach the 2024 season, Musgrave is poised for a significant breakthrough. With a year of experience under his belt and no new competition, he's primed to be a key target for Jordan Love. Musgrave's unique blend of size, speed, and hands sets him apart from many in his position.
#GoPackGo TE Luke Musgrave flashed high-level abilities as a rookie last season despite missing a handful of games with a lacerated kidney.
I expect Musgrave to have a huge sophomore season.
✍️ @TheDraftNetworkhttps://t.co/b74lj3gdUo
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) August 12, 2024
Given his role in the offense and the Packers' confidence in him, Musgrave should be viewed as a high-upside TE2 with the potential to crack the TE1 ranks. He currently holds an ADP of TE15, which aligns with his RotoBaller TE ranking of 17, making him a steal in the middle to late rounds of drafts. If you're looking to punt on tight end and grab value later, Musgraves is your man. Snatch him up, sit back, and enjoy the show as he becomes a go-to option in the Packers' passing attack.
Hunter Henry, Patriots - Fantasy Football Outlook
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry enters the 2024 season as the top player on the depth chart. With that said, he still faces competition. Henry played alongside Mike Gesicki last season, and with Gesicki landing in Cincinnati during free agency, the Patriots replaced him with Austin Hooper. They also signed Mitchell Wilcox and drafted Jaheim Bell. Hooper has averaged 49.3 catches over his last seven seasons, though that number has started to decline on a per-year basis.
For example, as the backup tight end in Las Vegas last year, Hooper caught just 25 passes, his lowest mark since his rookie year. Regardless of whether Hooper is trending up or down, he's still the clear No. 2 behind Henry. In fact, Henry himself might be trending up after the Patriots hired Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. Van Pelt helped tight end David Njoku set numerous career bests in Cleveland last year, and he could do the same with Henry in New England — especially since Henry doesn't face immense competition.
Hunter Henry
•QB upgrade
•Top 12 finish five times last season
•4 finishes in top 5
•Third on team for targets & catches
•Led team in touchdowns
•Weak WR roompic.twitter.com/7rnYnYU9cG— Nick Guglielmo (@NextLvl_Fantasy) July 27, 2024
The Patriots have a crowded wide receiver room, but it's not very top-heavy. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye should have no trouble developing an early rapport with Henry, whose experience drastically exceeds starting receivers Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and Ja'Lynn Polk. With experience and heavy volume on the way for Henry, the final piece of the puzzle is the state of New England's offense. Targets are great, but Henry can only maximize his performance if the Patriots' offense sustains long drives and gets plenty of red-zone opportunities for its playmakers.
The Patriots made some key additions this offseason, but they'll still face some growing pains with Maye (or Jacoby Brissett) under center and Jerod Mayo entering his first season as head coach. Therefore, there are clear pros and cons for Henry heading into 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-low TE2 in fantasy football, which falls in line with his Yahoo ADP of 161 (18th among tight ends). He's being drafted at an appropriate price tag and is a fine late-round option in most fantasy leagues.
Theo Johnson, Giants - Fantasy Football Outlook
The New York Giants selected tight end Theo Johnson out of Penn State in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, perhaps knowing that Darren Waller was retiring. The rookie has little by way of existing competition, namely Daniel Bellinger. The 6-foot-6 Johnson was taken out of Penn State in the fourth round, sporting an estimated 87 Athleticism Score per NFL Next Gen Stats, ranking second among TEs in the class.
Daniel Jones ➡️ rookie TE Theo Johnson pic.twitter.com/cz0sWOUrmD
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) August 5, 2024
He must prove that his size and speed can lead to production, but the opportunity cost is low. The potential volume, even on a mediocre passing offense, is high. If attention overcorrects towards Malik Nabers by the red zone then Johnson has a path to 6-8 TDs. He's RotoBaller's TE33 in half-PPR ranks with an early ADP of TE31.
Noah Fant, Seahawks - Fantasy Football Outlook
Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant enters the 2024 season as an intriguing sleeper. The former first-round pick has flashed potential throughout his career but has yet to put it together for fantasy. Will this be the year? Fant's physical prowess is truly exceptional. Standing 6'4" and weighing 250 pounds, he blazes through a 40-yard dash in just 4.50 seconds. This remarkable combination of size and speed makes him a nightmare for linebackers and safeties.
Some of Geno’s dopest throws as a Seahawk are to Noah Fant pic.twitter.com/lMCKbE0d8m
— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) August 6, 2024
In 2023, he may have only recorded 32 receptions for 414 yards and no touchdowns, but as the TE1 on his team, the potential for a breakout season is undeniable. With the likes of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba demanding defensive attention, Fant could find himself in favorable matchups down the middle. Adding to this potential advantage is the arrival of Seattle's new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, who hails from the University of Washington, a team renowned for its prolific passing offense. This strategic shift could significantly boost Fant's fantasy value in the upcoming season.
With a Yahoo ADP of TE20, which aligns with RotoBaller's TE ranking of 24, Fant is a low-risk, high-reward pick for those willing to gamble, especially in tight end premium leagues.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals - Fantasy Football Outlook
After amassing two 700-yard seasons with the Miami Dolphins in 2021-2022, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki's promising young career dropped off a cliff with a few situation changes. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and his wide receiver-centric offense arrived in 2022, cutting his volume in half. Then Gesicki fell victim to New England's 2023 offense that scored less than one passing touchdown per game. Gesicki caught 29 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns over 17 games in 2023 for the Patriots.
The dynamic tight end now lands in Cincinnati, the second pass-heaviest offense in the league. Over the last four seasons, Gesicki is just one of 15 tight ends to record over 2,000 receiving yards. If he gets back to 80-plus targets as he had in each season from 2020-2022, he could be the draft's biggest tight end steal. The 28-year-old has a Yahoo TE ADP of 32, which aligns with his RotoBaller tight-end ranking of 34. Gesicki is a rare upside waiver wire target as the Bengals' starting tight end and is worth a flier in best ball and tight end premium leagues.
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