Early 2023 Fantasy Football Draft Targets and Sleepers – Tight Ends

The 2022 fantasy football season flashed right before our eyes. While the 2023 season is several months away, it’s never too early to prepare for next year. Every year, the preseason ADP never looks the same as the end-of-year rankings. However, the tight end position was extremely different last season.

Travis Kelce was the preseason TE1, though Mark Andrews was a close second. Yet, Kelce ended the 2022 season as the far-and-away TE1. He scored 88.9 more half-point PPR fantasy points than any other tight end last year. Furthermore, the superstar tight end averaged four fantasy points per game more than the next closest tight end, George Kittle.

More importantly, the preseason ADP top 10 had only five players end the year as a top 10 tight end. Kelce, Andrews, Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and Dalton Schultz were those five players. Meanwhile, the other five top 10 tight ends last year had a preseason ADP average of TE17. Let’s look at a few sleeper tight ends who could end the 2023 season in the top 10.

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Greg Dulcich, Denver Broncos

• 2022 Final Rank: TE30
• Early Offseason ADP: TE12

While he was only the TE30 last year, averaging seven half-point PPR fantasy points per game, Dulcich flashed massive upside as a rookie. He was the TE16 on a points-per-game basis. Furthermore, the former UCLA star averaged 5.7 targets per game, 1.8 fantasy points per target, and 10.1 fantasy points per contest over his first three NFL games, scoring 8.1 or more fantasy points in every matchup.

Despite Denver’s struggles on offense, Dulcich ended his rookie season on a positive note. He averaged 6.5 targets and 7.7 fantasy points per game over his final four games last year, making him the TE10 during that span. Furthermore, the former UCLA star had eight targets in three contests. With Sean Payton taking over as the new head coach, Dulcich could have a massive 2023 season.

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

• 2022 Final Rank: TE23
• Early Offseason ADP: TE15

Last year’s rookie tight end draft class was considered below average. Meanwhile, Okonkwo was the 10th tight end drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Yet, the former Maryland star ended the year as the highest-scoring rookie tight end. Despite barely seeing the ball early in the season, Okonkwo ended his rookie year on fire.

Over the final six weeks of the year, the former Maryland star averaged 4.3 targets per game, 1.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per target, and 8.2 fantasy points per contest. Furthermore, Okonkwo was the TE8 during that span, averaging more fantasy points per game than Mark Andrews. More importantly, the former Maryland star will be the unquestioned starting tight end next season, with Austin Hooper being a free agent this offseason.

Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins

• 2022 Final Rank: TE22
• Early Offseason ADP: TE17

Miami made an odd decision last year. Despite placing the franchise tag on Gesicki, the Dolphins rarely used the star tight end’s talents. He averaged only 4.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in 2022, the lowest average of his career since his rookie year in 2018. However, the veteran tight end had five receiving touchdowns despite having only 32 receptions last year, the second-lowest total of his career. Imagine what Gesicki could do with a respectable target share.

Thankfully, the veteran tight end’s time in Miami is coming to an end. The Dolphins won’t offer Gesicki a new contract this offseason. That’s excellent news for fantasy players. The former Penn State star has been productive in the past when given enough targets. Gesicki was the TE8 in 2020, averaging 8.9 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he did that on only 53 receptions. Had the veteran caught 70 passes that season, he would have ended the year as the TE3, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game.

Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

• 2022 Final Rank: TE39
• Early Offseason ADP: TE20

While he was the first tight end drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, McBride had a quiet rookie season. Over his first nine games as a rookie, the former Colorado State product had only four receptions for 31 receiving yards. He played fewer than 30% of the snaps in six of those contests. However, McBride flashed potential when given an opportunity. When Zach Ertz suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 10, McBride took over as the starter.

From Week 11 through the end of the regular season, the rookie was the TE20, averaging six half-point PPR fantasy points per game. More importantly, he averaged 5.5 targets and 8.4 fantasy points per game over his last four games in 2022. With DeAndre Hopkins possibly getting traded this offseason and Ertz likely missing part of the 2023 season, McBride will see an uptick in touchdowns and targets.

Jelani Woods, Indianapolis Colts

• 2022 Final Rank: TE32
• Early Offseason ADP: TE29

Rarely do rookie tight ends make an impact in their first year in the NFL; however, Woods led all rookie tight ends in receiving touchdowns last year. Furthermore, he was second on the team in receiving touchdowns, totaling only one fewer than Michael Pittman Jr. despite having 101 fewer targets. More importantly, the Colts are bringing back tight end coach Tom Manning, who had success with the team in 2018.

More importantly, new head coach Shane Steichen used his tight ends in Philadelphia. Last year, Dallas Goedert had the seventh-highest target share among tight ends. Furthermore, Woods is an excellent athlete. He had the fifth-highest contested catch rate among tight ends. With Parris Campbell and Mo Alie-Cox potentially leaving this offseason, Woods could be the No. 2 pass catcher in Indianapolis next year.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• 2022 Final Rank: TE27
• Early Offseason ADP: TE34

Many might be scared to draft any Tampa Bay pass catchers after Tom Brady’s retirement; however, Otton could have a massive year. The former Washington Husky star averaged 7.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the five contests with six or more targets last season. Furthermore, Otton was fifth among tight ends in red zone targets (16) and showed the ability to make plays after the catch.

Meanwhile, the rookie tight finished fifth on the team in targets last year (65). However, the Buccaneers could have a different-looking receiving core next season. Tampa Bay can save $7.8 million in salary cap space if they trade away Russell Gage before March 19. More importantly, Cameron Brate will likely be a cap casualty this offseason, saving the team up to four million dollars in salary cap space. With the Buccaneers turning their focus to the future, expect a bigger role for Otton next season.

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