2024 Fantasy Football Tight End Tiers: Sam LaPorta Laps Travis Kelce

Fab's TE tiers to help you win your draft!

Sam LaPorta. / Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

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Fantasy Tiers: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers

The 2024 NFL season is fast approaching, so it’s time to look at fantasy positional “tiers.” Unlike my PPR player rankings, tiers group players of similar value. So, if you miss out on a particular player on a tier in your draft, you can see others on that same tier who are good alternatives to select.

I’ve covered quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, and you can read about all three by clicking the links above, so now it’s time to look at the tight ends. This is probably the least important position in fantasy football, so most managers will wait to fill it rather than take one of the top-end options.

As a result, tiers will be uber valuable.

Tier 1 – The Elite

Sam LaPorta, Lions
Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Mark Andrews, Ravens
Trey McBride, Cardinals

This is the first time in years that Kelce isn’t either in his own tier or the top player at tight end. That’s due to a “down” statistical year by his high standards, coupled with LaPorta’s breakout and the fact that Kelce is entering his age-35 season. Andrews should remain a top-five option, and I’ve also included McBride in this tier. He finished seventh in points last season, and that came despite seeing just 10 targets in his first five games.

Tier 2 – Mid TE1s

Dalton Kincaid, Bills
George Kittle, 49ers
Evan Engram, Jaguars
Kyle Pitts, Falcons

Kincaid, like McBride, showed flashes of potential last season and is in a great position to bust out in the stat sheets. Kittle’s points-per-game averages have dropped each of the last six years, but he’s still a surefire top-10 option. Engram, last season’s third-best tight end, could see some regression but remains a starter in fantasy leagues. Could this finally be the year we see Pitts reach his fantasy potential? With Kirk Cousins at the helm, he hasn’t had this good of a chance to be a fantasy asset since he joined the league.

Nov 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) celebrates after a touchdown catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tier 3 – Low TE1s

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys
David Njoku, Browns
Dallas Goedert, Eagles
Brock Bowers, Raiders

Njoku had a career-best season, but his numbers were far better with Joe Flacco under center than Deshaun Watson. That could be a concern. Ferguson continued the trend of Cowboys tight ends making a fantasy impact, posting a top-10 finish. Bowers is one of the best tight-end prospects to come out of college since Pitts, so he’ll be a popular sleeper even as a rookie. Goedert’s stats have decreased lately, but he’s still a viable fantasy starter.

Tier 4 – High TE2s

Dalton Schultz, Texans
Taysom Hill, Saints
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
Hunter Henry, Patriots


This is where the tight-end position starts to fade in terms of reliable options. Schultz was the TE10 last season, but you must wonder how much Stefon Diggs will eat into his targets. Freiermuth was a fantasy dud last season, but I’m expecting him to rebound, at least at some level, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Henry could push for high TE2 value in a Patriots offense that could start a rookie, Drake Maye, for most of the season.

Tier 5 – Mid TE2s

Luke Musgrave, Packers
Cole Kmet, Bears
Tyler Conklin, Jets
Cade Otton, Buccaneers
T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
Jonnu Smith, Dolphins

Musgrave is a nice sleeper, and some would put Otton in that same category too. Kmet, last season’s TE8, will struggle to regain that level after the Bears added Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze and Gerald Everett. Hockenson is the most difficult player to project. He’s established himself as an elite player and would be in Tier 1 had he not suffered a late-season ACL tear. Now on the PUP list, Hockenson is tough to recommend as more than a risk-reward, No. 2 tight end.

Tier 6 – Low TE2s

Juwan Johnson, Saints
Greg Dulcich, Broncos
Hayden Hurst, Chargers
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans
Ben Sinnott, Commanders

There are some deep sleepers in this tier, including, Johnson and Dulcich. Sinnott will have to contend with Zach Ertz, but the rookie has great upside and is worth a late flier. Johnson, who showed flashes of potential late last year, could also outplay his ADP. However, he's dealing with a foot injury and could miss time in the regular season.

Nov 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) catches a pass during pre-game drills before an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports / Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Tier 7 – High TE3s

Mike Gesicki, Bengals
Noah Fant, Seahawks
Zach Ertz, Commanders
Colby Parkinson, Rams

There are a number of players who have had past fantasy success in this tier, but there’s not a whole lot of upside. Higbee is coming off an injury, so his stock has taken a nosedive. Gesicki is in a crowded Bengals pass attack. Ertz could be limited in Washington’s offense with Sinnott. Fant is a matchup-based option at best. Parkinson will replace Tyler Higbee, who is on the PUP list.

Tier 8 – Mid TE3s

Theo Johnson, Giants
Isaiah Likely, Ravens
Tucker Kraft, Packers
Mo-Alie Cox, Colts
Johnny Mundt, Vikings

Fantasy managers in deeper leagues could be looking at this group as late-round fliers, but in reality there’s not a ton of value. Likely’s value is limited with Mark Andrews ahead of him on the Baltimore depth chart. Green Bay is loaded with good, young weapons, which will hurt the value of Kraft, who I have behind his teammate Musgrave in the rankings. Mundt could have some appeal in Minnesota while Hockenson is recovering from a torn ACL.