Fantasy Football Rookie Tight Ends You Must Have in 2024

With the draft and schedule release behind us, it’s time to try and pick out some potential sleepers and stashes we may be looking to add to our fantasy rosters this year.

One position that historically underwhelms from a fantasy perspective during rookie campaigns is tight end. But, we saw Detroit rookie Sam LaPorta make a notable impact in his first pro campaign last year. Are there any potential exceptions this season?

Who are the fantasy football rookie tight ends you must have in the 2024 season?

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Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

ADP: TE10

The Las Vegas Raiders grabbed arguably the most highly-regarded TE prospect of all time when they grabbed Georgia TE Brock Bowers with the 13th overall pick.

The first-ever back-to-back John Mackey award winner reeled in 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in his three seasons in Athens, helping the Bulldogs win back-to-back National Championships in the 2021-2022 seasons.

Is Brock Bowers the clear GOAT College TE?

pic.twitter.com/lr3YHcihHd

— The Players' Lounge (@ThPlayersLounge) May 18, 2024

Bowers is far and away the most complete tight end in the class, and will likely be vying for the title of best in the league at the position in just a few short years. With his elite speed, explosiveness, and YAC ability, the former Bulldog is virtually a lock to become the team’s No. 1 option at the position come September.

There are some downsides though, and that would come from the landscape of Vegas’ current offense. While it’s unclear who will win the starting QB job between Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, there are still plenty of other viable pass-catching options with the likes of Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers.

Not to mention, just last season the Raiders picked up TE Michael Mayer with the 35th overall pick so it’s more than likely he will find himself in the mix of this offense as well.

Bowers surely could have ended up in a better position fantasy-wise for his rookie campaign, but there’s no doubt he will bring a ton of fantasy relevance to a position that continues to become more and more scarce.

Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders

ADP: TE26

Sinnott threw himself firmly on the radar after his stellar combine performance and his draft stock continued to soar until his name was called in the second round by the Washington Commanders. In his final season at Kansas State, he caught 82 passes for 1,138 yards and 10 touchdowns. He now gets paired up with No. 2 overall pick QB Jayden Daniels as the Commanders look to start a new regime in DC.

Sinnott brings a ton of versatility to the table with his pass-catching and blocking abilities. His athleticism makes him a value-add anywhere you put him on the field, and it would come as a shock if he doesn’t find himself firmly in the fold of this Washington offense during his rookie season.

👋👋👋 @ben_sinnott pic.twitter.com/WPa2JDp2hP

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) May 11, 2024

There is also plenty of opportunity for Sinnott to earn serious keep, as the only other main target at the position for Washington is 33-year-old TE Zach Ertz who hasn’t played since Week 7 of the 2023 season.

With a playmaking QB like Daniels, and a strong offensive mind in OC Kliff Kingsbury, Sinnott finds himself in a very unique position for a rookie tight end. Consider him in your fantasy drafts this offseason.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

ADP: TE30

Staying in the NFC, the Panthers picked Texas TE Ja’Tavion Sanders with the 101st pick in this year’s draft. In his final year in Austin, he racked up 45 receptions for 682 yards and two touchdowns and helped the Longhorns reach the CFP Semifinals.

After finishing dead last in points and yards per game last year, Carolina went into this year’s draft with a desperate need to pick up some offensive firepower to support QB Bryce Young. They showed that to be the case when they grabbed three skill position players with their first four picks in this year’s draft.

Ja’Tavion Sanders had 1,295 receiving yards over the past two seasons - the second most among all tight ends in the country.pic.twitter.com/b0g1ItuKf7

— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) May 7, 2024

Sanders not only provides the size to be a helpful safety valve for Young but also brings a ton of speed to make him an asset in the open field. On top of his elite pass-catching skills, he makes for a useful blocker which should help him insert himself into Carolina’s rotation this fall.

He also enters a situation where there is plenty of opportunity for him to become the main pass-catching TE option. While Carolina is returning their number one receiving tight end in Tommy Tremble, Tremble reeled in just 23 catches for 194 yards in 16 games last season.

While Carolina’s offense is a tough sell to fantasy managers this upcoming season, it’s clear that Sanders is a part of their plan to help bolster it moving forward. Consider Sanders in your fantasy drafts this season.

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