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Happy National Tight Ends Day!
In true tight end style, the entire league hit us with a BOOM week to rival every week. Last week we had a total of eight tight end touchdowns. This week, we have been blessed with a record 16 afternoon games. Since it is an official football holiday, I decided to hand out mid-season awards to the collective group. While the tight ends were unusually extra This week, there are some critical takeaways and trends we can look at to gain value for the rest of the season at the position and quickly see who we can trust moving forward.
The award “Rising to the occasion”
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Otton was nonexistent for the first two games of the season, and by nonexistent I mean one reception on four goals. After that slow start, Otton took on a solid role within the Buccaneers’ offense. In Weeks 3-7, he averaged over seven targets per game, ranking as TE9 in average points per game over that span, with 8.6 fantasy points in half PPR. Last week, he stood out with eight receptions on 10 targets for 100 yards after Mike Evans left early with an injury. This week, with Evans and Chris Godwin out, Otton led the way as Baker Mayfield’s most reliable target, hauling in nine catches on 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns, a career-high for the third-year tight end. We expected Otton to take a step forward given the injuries to the Bucs receiving corps, but he exceeded expectations and turned in an overall TE1 performance.
pulse control: How much can we trust Otton to move forward?
This week was a favorable matchup against Atlanta, but the upcoming matchups are not as friendly. However, regardless of the opposition, Mayfield has been dealing all season with just two games with fewer than two touchdown passes. There is a lack of confidence and experience in the Bucs’ receiving corps and unless they trade for another receiver, Otton will likely be Mayfield’s top target until Evans returns after the break.
The “Don’t look now but they play a role” awards
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
I’m whispering very quietly to avoid cursing him… but since Week 5, Pitts has averaged 13.5 fantasy points per game in half PPR, with his worst finish being TE13. Today was the Kyle Pitts day we’ve been waiting for: four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Pitts has become the big threat we knew he could be. This was a favorable matchup, but Kirk Cousins distributed the ball fairly evenly and Pitts took advantage of his opportunities impressively.
pulse control: Is Kyle Pitts SZN officially back on track?
Let’s be real here: Two of Pitts’ last four games have been against Tampa Bay, whose pass defense is undeniably terrible. It’s no coincidence that he finished as TE6 and TE2 in those matchups. Last week’s performance against Seattle, where Pitts had seven catches for 65 yards and finished with 10 fantasy points (TE11), might be a more realistic expectation for him. That being said, it’s great to see that he has this kind of ceiling after years of waiting for some kind of breakout. Cousins is maximizing the true potential of all of Atlanta’s previously destitute fantasy assets. While the schedule ahead of us isn’t fantastic, Pitts is still a mid-level TE1, a set-it-and-(more-or-less) forget-it option.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
After a rough start to the fantasy season where Andrews posted two consecutive zero-point weeks in Weeks 3 and 4, fantasy managers were ready to move on from him and find any other option. The Ravens offense had been inconsistent in targeting tight ends and relied heavily on the blocking of Derrick Henry, who has been dominant. As the Ravens made adjustments, Andrews found a more consistent role.
pulse control: What’s real and what’s a mirage with Andrews’ recent rise?
Since those consecutive zeros, Andrews’ snap count remains low, around 50%, with his high targets at five. However, he has been efficient and the touchdowns are flowing. With Lamar Jackson playing at an MVP level, the Ravens have ample scoring opportunities, giving all assets the advantage. While relying on touchdowns is risky, it’s similar to how Sam LaPorta thrived in 2023, relying on touchdowns when yards were at a minimum. However, we must proceed with caution. Without a touchdown, Andrews won’t put up TE1 numbers. Even so, with his scoring potential, he has once again been a worthy starting option.
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Speaking of touchdown-dependent tight ends, Kraft has caught five touchdowns in the last five weeks since solidifying his role as TE1 in Green Bay. His receptions are modest (only 24 this season), but with five touchdowns, he scores on 20% of his receptions. In a Packers offense where Jordan Love distributes the ball, you want touchdown equity, and that’s what Kraft provides.
pulse control: Can Kraft still be a TE1 ROS?
I trust Kraft as a mid-level TE1, but we have a problem: Love injured his groin this week. We don’t know the severity yet, but if Love is out and Malik Willis steps in, expect a change in Green Bay’s offense. Matt LaFleur ran the Packers’ offense efficiently with Love out earlier this season, focusing on the running game and reducing passing volume. Kraft could still be an option if Love misses time, but we have to proceed with caution, especially now that tight ends are becoming a little more reliable lately.
“The Redemption” Award
General pulse control: Which of the “redeemed” tight ends are really redeemed?
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Coming into this season, I was worried about David Njoku. He’s a dynamic player, but being linked to Deshaun Watson presented challenges. With Watson out for the rest of the season and Jameis Winston now at QB, Njoku’s season feels safe and reliable. While he’s not the first read in this offense (Cedric Tillman has stepped up after the Amari Cooper trade and Elijah Moore and Jerry Jeudy are contributing), Winston’s 41 attempts this week provide more opportunities for all pass catchers . If you bulk up Njoku, he will thrive. Njoku now has a legitimate lead for TE1.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
2024 has been a challenge for Sam LaPorta’s management. Before this week, he had only reached double-digit fantasy points once. The lack of production has been disconcerting, especially with the Lions facing pass-friendly defenses early on. LaPorta’s touchdown dependence presents a major problem with Jameson Williams emerging as the Lions’ WR2. This week, Williams served the first of his two-game suspension and LaPorta had his best performance, catching all six of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta should be a reliable TE1 next week, but when Williams returns, LaPorta becomes a risky play with a tough playoff schedule. If you’re in a position to negotiate, now might be a good time to compare prices.
Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
Technically, Engram was outplayed by Brenton Strange (tight end day, right?), but it was still a solid day for him with four catches on five targets for 36 yards and a touchdown. Engram’s performance wasn’t flashy, but since returning from a four-game absence and a tough opening game with just one reception for five yards, he has seen 19 targets in the last three games. He remains a top target on the Jaguars’ offense, which will need to maintain a high volume given their upcoming matchups against high-powered offenses that will completely destroy their defense.
The “Mr. “Reliable” Award
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
There’s not much to say about Trey McBride’s latest performance. This was his best game of the season, with nine receptions on 11 targets for 124 yards. McBride has been one of the most reliable tight ends in the league, providing consistent volume as Kyler Murray’s second option. He’s seen no fewer than six targets per game, and while he doesn’t have a significant touchdown percentage (only three last season, none this season), his high volume is reliable.
The “situational” award
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets; Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals; Josh Oliver, Minnesota Vikings
There’s no real pulse check here, but Gesicki stands out as a player whose situational advantage could persist. Gesicki has always performed great in games when Tee Higgins is out. With Higgins dealing with a leg injury today, Gesicki had seven catches on eight targets for 73 yards. This mirrors a similar performance in Week 2 with Higgins sidelined. Gesick is less of a tight end and more of a big receiver, so pairing him with another big receiver like Higgins is an easy transition. In Week 9, Cincinnati faces a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, and if Higgins is out, Gesicki is a solid streaming option.
Mentions from the afternoon blackboard
This article is written primarily for the first few games, but we have enough information on the afternoon’s schedule to declare that tight end day was a success across the board with solid performances from Dalton Kincaid, Adam Trautman, Travis Kelce, Brock Bowers and Zach Ertz, among others. others.
The big takeaway from this group is the continued increase in Kelce’s volume. DeAndre Hopkins wasn’t a big factor in his first game with the Chiefs, although it will be interesting to see the snap count and if his presence helped open up volume for a strong day for Xavier Worthy. Kelce remained the clear first option for Mahomes with 10 catches on 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown.
