Wicked Dynasty Buys – Tight End

In the ever-evolving landscape of dynasty fantasy football, managers constantly seek the next breakout star to fortify their rosters for sustained success. While the spotlight often shines on elite names like Justin Jefferson, there’s an art to uncovering hidden treasures that can elevate your team to dynasty greatness.

In this exploration, we journey beyond the obvious choices, steering away from the well-trodden path of pursuing household names (Yes you should be trading for Chase, you don’t need me to tell you that). Instead, we will focus on those less obvious trade targets that possess the potential to become cornerstone assets or key flex contributors for your dynasty team.

So, fasten your seatbelts, dynasty managers, as we navigate the trade market in search of unsung heroes, players whose potential can redefine the destiny of your fantasy franchise. It’s time to go beyond the obvious and unlock the hidden value that could shape the future of your dynasty team. Let the pursuit of dynasty greatness begin!

1. Jake Ferguson

Ah, the Tight End position – the eternal headache for fantasy managers.  Fear not because if you snag Jake Ferguson, you might just be one of the lucky few who can kick back and relax without fretting over tight end production every week.

After a promising rookie season, the Cowboys promoted Ferguson to the top of the depth chart in year two, and boy, did he deliver. With 71 receptions for 760 yards and 5 touchdowns, he had a stellar sophomore campaign, finishing as a TE1 in fantasy and cementing his status as a top receiving option in an elite regular-season offense.

Ferguson’s got the goods as a tough receiver, showcasing solid contested catch and yards after catch ability. And let’s give credit where it’s due – Dak Prescott knows how to sling it up the seam with the best of them, and he trusts Ferguson to come down with the ball. I would expect Ferguson to continue to get a lot of looks in the middle of the field where Dallas likes to attack.

I’m calling it now – Ferguson will become a consistent top 6ish TE for years to come. And while the buzz around him is growing, you can usually still snag him for a reasonable price in trade. So, if you’re tired of tight end woes, it might be time to make a move for Ferguson and enjoy some peace of mind at the position.

Pros

• Great YAC receiver.
• In a good offense that will give him plenty of opportunity.
• Will continue to be a featured part of the passing game.
• Young player that still has room to grow

Cons

• Currently some uncertainty at QB with Daks deal set to expire after next season.
• Has to compete with Ceedee lamb for targets.
• Had some drop issues at certain points in the season.

2. Trey McBride

If you’re all about the numbers, then let me introduce you to McBride. After a quiet rookie season, McBride exploded onto the scene in year two, commanding the 6th most targets among tight ends in 2023. And boy, did he make the most of them – finishing 5th in receptions, 7th in receiving yards, and 5th in yards after the catch.

So, what’s the secret sauce behind McBride’s stellar season? It’s simple – the guy knows how to get open. Averaging 2.8 yards of separation when targeted (5th among TEs), McBride proves that old adage true: getting open is still the best way to thrive as a receiver in the NFL.

Much like Ferguson, Trey is a young tight end with serious receiving chops, poised to become a perennial TE1 in the league. Sure, you might have to cough up a bit to land him, but trust me, it’s a smart investment. Because let’s be real – you can’t put a price tag on the peace of mind that comes with not having to stress about tight end production every single week.

Pros

• Advanced metrics all back up what you see on gameday, the dude is good.
• Likely to maintain a large role in the receiving game.
• Unless great improvement happens ( unlikely ) the cardinals defense will keep the offense in pass mode.

Cons

Needs more touchdown production to take his game to the next level.

3. Isaiah Likely

Tight end in fantasy football is like planting a tree – it takes time to grow, but when it blossoms, it’s a thing of beauty. Historically, tight ends hit their peak production in the latter half of their careers. Unless you strike gold with an immediate producer like LaPorta, investing in a player today is setting yourself up for future success. Enter Isaiah Likely – the perfect example of a move that pays dividends down the road.

Currently playing second fiddle to the great Mark Andrews, Isaiah isn’t likely ( HA! ) to see enough action to make a fantasy splash. However, in 2023, when he filled in for an injured Andrews, we caught a glimpse of what could be. Likely stepped up in a big way, showcasing a tantalizing ceiling that many have speculated about. While we can’t crown him an elite fantasy TE based on such a small sample size, he certainly flashed that potential, finishing first in fantasy points per target among TEs.

Let’s dig into some numbers from his late-season starting role: first in QB rating per target, sixth in separation when targeted, second in yards per target, second in yards per reception, and a whopping five touchdowns in six games started to close out the regular season. The upside is massive, especially with a QB who loves to utilize his TEs in the passing game.

However, unless Andrews gets sidelined with an injury, you’ll need to be patient and stash Likely for at least another season before you start reaping the rewards of your investment. But trust me, it’s a gamble worth taking for the potential payoff down the line.

Pros

• Showed immense upside in a small sample size in 2023.
• Has a QB that likes throwing to his Tight Ends.
• Relatively easy to acquire due to lack of immediate opportunity.

Cons

• Unlikely to produce with Mark Andrews ahead of him.
• Small sample size was great, but driven with touchdown production that is hard to replicate.
• A lot of unknown creates risk.

4. Cade Otton

Sticking with the theme of investing in tight ends entering their third season, Otton emerges as an intriguing target. Despite commanding a whopping 95.6% of the snaps in 2023 (ranking #1 among TEs), his numbers were somewhat underwhelming – 47 receptions, 455 yards, and 4 touchdowns. So why should you consider buying him? Well, as I’ve mentioned, tight ends typically have a lengthy development curve, and Otton has logged a ton of reps.

An upgrade in QB would certainly benefit him (ranking #23 in catchable target rate), but he also needs to improve on the drop rate from last season. Otton might not possess the natural gifts that some of his counterparts on this list do, but what he does have is a 100% route participation rate and the second-most routes run among tight ends. With such a massive opportunity share, I firmly believe Otton’s best days are still ahead of him.

Moreover, with Mike Evans likely departing Tampa, Otton could see a significant uptick in targets in 2024. Of course, there’s always the possibility that Otton never blossoms into more than a mediocre fantasy TE, but his bargain-bin price tag makes him a risk worth taking. I wouldn’t break the bank for him, but when it comes to TEs, I’m all about collecting as many options as possible until I find the one. Otton is certainly worth a stash, and at the very least, he’ll provide you with some consistent points on a week-to-week basis due to his heavy involvement in the offense.

Top of Form

Pros

• Opportunity share is top tier.
• Has gotten tons of reps to aid his development.
• Could see an increase in target share with Mike Evans departure.

Cons

• Didn’t do a lot with his massive snap percentage.

Tampa could look to upgrade at the position as early as this offseason if they think Otton is “Just A Guy.”

5. Cole Kmet

Cole Kmet, the athletic powerhouse, truly had a breakout season in 2023, racking up 73 receptions, 719 yards, and 6 touchdowns. Barring a couple of down weeks, Kmet was a model of consistency all season long – a rare gem at the tight end position.

Now, with the uncertainty looming over the Bears’ quarterback situation, you might be wondering if it’ll affect Kmet’s production. Frankly, I don’t think it matters much, considering he finished 8th in target separation (He’s open) and 1st in contested catch rate (It doesn’t matter if he’s open).

Expect some high-end TE1 seasons from Kmet over the next several years. Sure, his price has shot up considerably, and rightfully so, but I firmly believe he’s still worth the investment. Finding a tight end with Kmet’s level of consistency is like finding a needle in a haystack, especially considering he achieved it in an offense that was frequently dysfunctional in 2023 – now that’s impressive.

My advice? Seize the current uncertainty surrounding the Bears’ QB situation and buy Kmet now, before their plans are laid out to the world. Who knows, maybe the unknown at QB has rattled Kmet’s current owner enough to strike a deal. It’s worth a shot.

Pros

• One of the best athletes at the position.
• Excellent contested catch Tight End
• Proved that he can produce despite surroundings.

Cons

• Uncertainty at QB is never good.
• May be hard to trade for without overpaying.
• Will need higher route participation to break through to the top tier of Tight Ends.