Backup Tight Ends To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

Any time a starting tight end goes down, their backup's stock immediately rises. Maybe you were like me last season, jumping to pick up Grant Calcaterra for the wrong game. I could have had him on my roster for free if I had grabbed him before Dallas Goedert got hurt. It is a tight end premium league. I had the roster space. But hindsight is 20/20, especially when you're playing fantasy football.

You probably want to be ahead of the curve for 2025, especially regarding a fickle position like tight end. Certain starting tight ends will be departing via free agency or trade. It is important to watch these situations as backups could eventually step into starting roles.

With all that in mind, I give you four backup tight ends worth rostering in dynasty. Whether you're looking to trade for these players straight up, get them added as a "throw-in" piece, or pick them up off waivers (depending on league size), I'll delve into why these athletes should be on your roster. Get them now before you have to overpay.

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Backup Tight Ends To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders took Michael Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and it looked like he would be their future at tight end. However, Las Vegas opted to draft Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 Draft, leaving many questions about Meyer's status with the team.

Mayer appeared in just 11 games of the 2024 season due to personal issues. Despite missing time, he remains an interesting asset with two years left on his rookie contract.

Last season, the Raiders wanted to lean on 12 personnel (one running back and two tight ends). They accomplished this but did not take full advantage of having two skilled tight ends, often just using Bowers (even when Meyer was available).

Former Cov Cath/Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer says his NFL comp is Travis Kelce. Mayer says he knows he can block anyone but his strengths are as a receiver. pic.twitter.com/MlF14IPdzi

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) March 3, 2023

Mayer and Bowers could coexist in the offense, but the team needs to deploy them correctly to maximize their talents.

Luckily for these tight ends, they have Chip Kelly as their new offensive coordinator. He has experience using multiple tight ends. As the Eagles' head coach, he drafted Zach Ertz while the team had already rostered Brent Celek. It worked out as both tight ends produced in the Philly offense.

Pete Carroll is now the head coach of the Raiders, and the offensive approach in Las Vegas could shift. Mayer can remain a part of the Raiders offense, but he might become a trade target for tight end needy teams.

It could benefit Mayer if he found himself in a more favorable situation elsewhere. He has the youth, talent, and versatility that dynasty managers look for in a stash. Whether he stays in Vegas or lands on a new offense, Mayer is a tight end to buy before his value increases.

Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs

A popular name in dynasty circles is Noah Gray of the Chiefs. This is mainly due to the uncertainty surrounding Travis Kelce's future. Kelce has not stated his retirement plans, but even if he returns, he is not the dominant force he once was.

Gray carved out a more prominent role in the Kansas City offense last season, helped in part by rookie Jared Wiley's addition to injured reserve. Even playing second-fiddle to Kelce, Gray posted 40 receptions for 437 yards and five scores.

He shined from Weeks 11 through 15, scoring all five touchdowns in that period while seeing at least four targets per contest. That stretch showed Gray's ability to contribute to the team as a trustworthy red-zone option.

Six seconds from the start of the play to the touchdown throw from Patrick Mahomes to Noah Gray. pic.twitter.com/CykrG2Tv0g

— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) December 15, 2024

The 26-year-old improved in all aspects of his game in 2024, gaining just 21 receptions for 156 yards and no touchdowns in 2023.

Fantasy managers want to know if Gray could replace Kelce when the future Hall of Famer retires. That certainly seems like the plan. While Gray is not on Kelce's level, as few tight ends are, he still has stand-alone fantasy value.

If Kelce calls it quits, Gray's stock will skyrocket. He is a prime candidate to acquire now before anything happens with Kelce. Even if Kelce sticks around for another season, having a capable backup tight end like Gray on your roster is excellent depth.

Other Backup Tight Ends To Buy

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brenton Strange has made himself a potential breakout candidate in Jacksonville after stepping up for the injured Evan Engram last season. Engram had posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 but was sidelined for eight games in 2024.

During Engram's absence, Strange had his best performance of the season. In Week 15's loss to the Jets, the Penn State product caught 11 of his 12 targets for 73 yards. Although he had a decent outing, the team did not utilize him as much down the stretch.

The 2023 Draft pick had a career season in 2024, posting 40 receptions on 50 targets for 411 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence should be back to full health this season, adding a much-needed spark to the passing game. Something worth noting: backup quarterback Mac Jones was under center in Strange's big Week 15.

Lawrence to Brenton Strange for the @Jaguars TD

📺: #JAXvsBUF on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1fZSLZJ5jw

— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024

Strange could be in store for a significant role this season. Engram brings a veteran presence to the team, but he turns 31 this year. He could be released or traded, leaving Strange in line for more work. If Engram moves on from Jacksonville, the team will lack depth at the TE position, making the 24-year-old an even more valuable asset.

Liam Coen is taking over as head coach, which should bode well for the team's offense. According to Ian Rapoport, tight ends coach Richard Angulo inked a multi-year contract to remain the squad's tight ends coach. He has been in that role since 2022, bringing much-needed consistency.

If Strange gets a chance this season, he could be a dominant TE1 for your fantasy roster. He'll need things to fall in place for him to be fantasy-relevant, and he might end up just being a bye week replacement when all is said and done. His situation makes him a strong buy in dynasty leagues and someone you should obtain before his price rises.

AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks

A 2024 fourth-round pick, AJ Barner was primarily viewed as a blocking tight end in college. He quickly proved he could contribute as a receiver for the Seahawks.

Noah Fant was the team's clear TE1 after Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly departed after the 2023 season. Barner carved out a role as the team's TE2 despite getting off to a slow start.

The 22-year-old did not see a target until Week 3, finishing the season with 30 receptions for 245 yards and four touchdowns when all was said and done. His touchdown total was the third-most on the team, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba scoring six and D.K. Metcalf scoring five. Barner was efficient despite his small workload and Seattle's lack of red-zone production.

Tight end AJ Barner's touchdown Sunday was the third of his rookie season. The Seahawks' fourth-round pick has 25 catches for 211 yards in 15 games.

"Apparently coming out of the draft, I was just a blocking tight end," he said today. "I think I've broke that narrative so far." pic.twitter.com/xKxHquyiGJ

— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 24, 2024

Fant tallied 48 catches for 500 yards in 2024 while missing three games due to injury. The TE1 could see his time with Seattle come to an end as the team could choose to clear cap space by moving on from him. Barner would be in line for an expanded role in 2025 if this were to happen.

Pharaoh Brown, who signed in free agency before the season began, recorded just eight receptions on 12 targets for 65 yards and no touchdowns in 2024. Brown is 30 years old and set to become a free agent. He poses no serious threat to Barner's playing time if Seattle keeps him around.

Of the three Seattle tight ends listed, Barner is the only one set in stone with the team beyond 2024. His ability to contribute in the passing game and a clear path to being a TE1 on an NFL roster makes Barner a great player to buy and stash before his value increases.

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