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It usually takes tight ends a couple of years to finally see production. T.J. Hockenson, Dallas Goedert, and Trey McBride are a few of the tight ends who failed to really make an immediate impact in their first year. Hockenson, Goedert, and McBride all totaled less than 375 receiving yards as rookies.
Sometimes, there are tight ends who come into the league and make an immediate impact. Kyle Pitts finished with over 1,000 yards as a rookie, and Sam LaPorta just put together one of the best rookie seasons by a tight end in NFL history after totaling 889 yards and 10 touchdowns.
So, let's look at three rookies selected in the 2024 NFL Draft that could make an immediate impact in 2024. These players could be sneaky targets in fantasy drafts this season.
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Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
There has not been a tight end like Brock Bowers to enter the league in a very long time. His route-running, hands, and speed will make him a dangerous target in the passing game for the Las Vegas Raiders for years to come. Bowers totaled 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns in his three college seasons at Georgia, including 882 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2021.
Bowers is unlike anything fans have seen at the tight end position, and there is a great chance he will make an immediate impact in Year 1. In the Raiders' first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, the rookie took snaps at tight end, the slot, out wide, and out of the backfield.
Brock Bowers’ alignment on 11 snaps last night:
TE - 4
Wide - 3
Backfield - 3
Slot - 1— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) August 11, 2024
When the Raiders selected Bowers with the 13th overall pick, fantasy managers didn't exactly love the landing spot. The team just drafted Michael Mayer in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and the quarterback situation wasn't the best either. However, if Las Vegas is using the rookie as they did in the first preseason game, big things could be in store for the former Georgia product in 2024 and beyond.
As a result, we could see Bowers make an impact in Year 1. Playing time shouldn't be a problem for the Raiders tight end -- especially if he is lining up at wide receiver and out of the backfield throughout the year -- and the talent is obviously there for him. That's why he is a sneaky pick at his 77.6 ADP.
Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders
Draft capital matters in the NFL, which is a large reason why Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott could carve out a role in his first season. Sinnott was the second tight end off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft, as the Commanders selected him with the 53rd overall pick.
It took Sinnott some time to get going in his college career after he totaled just two catches for 15 yards as a freshman. Over his final two college seasons at Kansas State, he reeled in a combined 80 passes for 1,123 yards and 10 touchdowns. His best game last season came in the last contest of the year when he totaled 10 catches for 136 yards and one touchdown. Now he goes to a Commanders' offense that could use his size in the passing game.
We weren't kidding the past 12
months about Ben Sinnott. He's going to be a matchup problem. pic.twitter.com/UeDFWfrpOk— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 10, 2024
While Sinnott won't start the year as Washington's TE1, there is a path for him to overtake Zach Ertz for that starting job later in the year. Ertz will turn 34 years old in November and has dealt with multiple different injuries over the past two years. As a result, the rookie tight end could make an impact in the second half of the fantasy season.
Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers
The last rookie tight end who could make an immediate impact in his first year is Ja'Tavion Sanders. Sanders was the fourth tight end selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Panthers took him with the 101st overall pick. The 21-year-old didn't record any stats in his freshman season in 2021, but he totaled a combined 99 catches for 1,245 yards and seven touchdowns in his last two college seasons at Texas.
Sanders will have his work cut out for him in his rookie season, as he could start the year as the team's TE3. Both Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas are ahead of him on the Panthers' unofficial depth chart. However, the former Texas product has been impressive this offseason. Quarterback Bryce Young has even said that the rookie "is super hardworking and he's soaking up all the information."
On the @PatMcAfeeShow, Carolina Panthers beat writer @Sheena_Marie3 says she expects Texas Ex Jatavion Sanders to have a big role in tonight’s preseason game
“He brings a different dynamic to this offense”
She also reported Jonathon Brooks won’t be available this preseason… pic.twitter.com/qIUqItPj6C
— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) August 8, 2024
Despite likely starting the season lower on the depth chart, Sanders could work his way up as the season progresses due to this potential in the passing game. Both Tremble and Thomas have not really been reliable options in the receiving game over the past few years, so we could see the rookie get more involved in that area.
It's fair to assume that Sanders will likely not have a major role in the first half of the season. However, we could see that change once the Panthers come back from their Week 11 bye. The rookie should go undrafted in most fantasy leagues, but keep an eye on him in the second half. His size and speed should help him get opportunities later in his first season.
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