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Legendary tight end Travis Kelce has been the gold standard at tight end for fantasy football, but youngster Sam LaPorta and veteran Mark Andrews are on his heels in 2024. Landing an elite tight end can pay significant dividends for fantasy managers, and these three are at the top of the heap.
With Kelce entering his age-34 season, LaPorta looking to build off his excellent rookie campaign, and Andrews primed for a comeback season after a major injury, it's time to dive into the outlooks for each tight end.
Which player should you draft in 2024? Let's dive in.
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Travis Kelce has not finished outside the top three at the tight-end position since 2015. Over that span, he finished as the TE1 in six of the last eight seasons. In 2021, he finished as TE2 behind Mark Andrews. Last year, he finished as TE3, behind Sam LaPorta and Evan Engram.
However, his TE3 finish is entirely due to the two games he missed, one at the beginning of the season after he suffered a high- ankle sprain in the preseason and one in Week 18. His 219.4 PPR points trailed LaPorta by only 19.9 points. Kelce still led the league in fantasy PPG with 14.6, meaning he would have finished as the TE1 yet again if he played in both of those games.
Not sure how, but Travis Kelce is in for the touchdown! pic.twitter.com/9dH7Vr9bzc
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 22, 2023
The emergence of LaPorta coupled with Kelce turning 35 this year has managers sleeping on the most reliable player of the last decade, and arguably in the history of fantasy football. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to three-peat as Super Bowl champions and Kelce is a key piece of that objective. He has given us no reason to doubt him or to think that he will not dominate like he always does. Breakout wide receiver Rashee Rice is likely to be suspended for a few games, so Kelce should see 10+ targets a game right out of the gate.
The Chiefs also signed speedster Marquise Brown in free agency and drafted the fastest player in NFL Combine history, Xavier Worthy, so there will be plenty of speed on the outside to help create gaps in the middle of the field for Kelce to pick apart the defense. Managers would be wise to grab another elite running back or wide receiver in the second round to pair with Kelce, who could absolutely outscore LaPorta if he stays healthy.
Sam LaPorta 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Sam LaPorta's exceptional rookie season fueled his historic entrance into the NFL, while also creating an impactful shift within the tight-end landscape. Detroit's selection of LaPorta during Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft (34th overall) infused him into a favorable environment, as he was positioned to secure significant playing time and extensive targeting as the Lions' primary tight end. LaPorta capitalized by providing Detroit with a prolific and reliable presence at his position. LaPorta established a new NFL record for receptions by a rookie tight end (86/5.1 per game).
His league-high 10 touchdowns also made him the third rookie tight end to attain a double-digit touchdown total. LaPorta also finished second among all tight ends in targets per route run (26.6%), and was fourth in air yards (826), fourth in red-zone targets (16), fifth in receiving yards (889/52.3 per game), sixth in yards per route run (1.97), and eighth in yards after catch (364).
LaPorta paced all tight ends in contested catches (13), according to PFF. He finished as a TE1 in 11 of his matchups, which propelled him to third with an average of 14.1 points per game from Weeks 1-18. He tied for second in fantasy points per route run (0.52), according to Fantasy Points Data. LaPorta is primed to retain his integral role in Detroit's potent offense and should be the first tight end selected during Round 3 in dynasty startup drafts and best ball leagues.
Mark Andrews 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
It was a disappointing 2023 for Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews. His season was limited to just 10 games after suffering a season-ending leg injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. Andrews returned to the field for the Ravens' AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, so he appears to have put the injury behind him. Potentially more concerning, though, Andrews' target share and targets per route run (TPRR) were both lower than his 2022 totals, per Fantasy Points Data Suite.
The difference was the emergence of Zay Flowers as Baltimore's clear WR1. Andrews has never had to share targets with a wide receiver of this caliber. While we have some slightly concerning signs in his analytical profile and the emergence of a true WR1, none of it mattered for fantasy football purposes. In terms of fantasy points per game (PPG), Andrews still ranked fourth in half PPR leagues and tied for first in PPG in non-PPR formats.
The fact that Lamar Jackson threw a touchdown while his left tackle swept his front leg is absolutely bonkers. pic.twitter.com/Q9tg9Q4Gqm
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) October 31, 2023
While Flowers presents stiff competition, Andrews showed he can still deliver for fantasy owners. His connection with quarterback Lamar Jackson remains strong and will only help Andrews' fantasy prospects. Ranked as RotoBaller's TE5, Andrews remains one of the top tight ends entering the 2024 season.
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