And we hope you have everything packed that you want to take with you.
The dust is settling. We’ve had preseason football to audition players. Roster cuts from 90 players to 53 have happened. There are still moving parts of NFL rosters, but that will be a constant for the next few months: the only difference will be frequency.
Depth charts are set for the time being, as much as they can be, heading into Week 1. I still have fantasy drafts left. I feel now that the information has changed enough for me to make some significant changes to my rankings for 2025. This is how I will attack the tight end position in my drafts.
This is not to say that, given the state of a draft and my roster, I won’t alter my strategy. I like balance on my roster, and I shift back and forth between ceiling and floor plays. The way I rank is based on how I feel about a player’s flexibility: higher ceiling, higher floor players rise up.
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CURRENT RISERS
Colston Loveland, CHI, TE 36 to TE 16
The biggest shift, and I’m not surprised.
When I ranked the position before training camps opened, Loveland sat at number two on the depth chart behind Cole Kmet. Now that he’s atop the depth chart for the Bears at the position, I believe he’ll see a higher snap count, and I also believe they have some faith in their retooled offensive line. I’d expect Loveland to be the third or fourth option in the passing game behind DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and possibly D’Andre Swift. We’ll see how he’s used in the red zone.
He could greatly reward the upside picks I’ve seen in earlier drafts.
Harold Fannin, CLE, TE 40 to TE 30
My intrigue for Fannin meant he was going to have a spot in my initial top 40: I loved him as a hedge in best ball against David Njoku. I also believed the Browns would arrive at Joe Flacco as their starting QB, at least early in the season.
Now, they’ve moved on from Kenny Pickett, which I did not expect.
I look at the wide receivers and running backs and think there is an opportunity for Fannin to have a meaningful passing game presence, even as a possible fifth option behind Jerry Jeudy, Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Jerome Ford. This is a team that should have no shortage of 12 formations.
Tyler Warren, IND, TE 16 to TE 12
The more I see of this player, the more I love him. He’s now in a starting TE position in 12-team leagues.
I’m still not in love with the passing game situation, but the fact that they seem to want to move him all over the formation is a great sign that he can be a main contributor.
It sounds like Josh Downs could be ready for Week 1, so I’ll like getting a glance at their regular offense.
This is a player I’ve reached for if I wanted to take the upside swing.
Chig Okonkwo, TEN, TE 27 to TE 23
I’m not drafting him as my starting tight end, but I’m comfortable taking him if I want to wait on a backup.
Somebody besides Calvin Ridley is going to need to catch passes in Nashville, and while Tyler Lockett is an option, he’s shown decline, and Van Jefferson or Elic Ayomanor could be solid but unspectacular.
Chig could be a solid upside play that I’ll absorb the risk on – he could be the second option in the Titans’ passing game.
Juwan Johnson, NO, TE 30 to TE 27
The competition for the role on this team has been eroded to the point that the only other tight end on the active roster is a seventh-round rookie. I expect that will change, but that will either be in the form of a practice squad elevation or someone not on the roster who is unfamiliar with the team.
The fact that Johnson is this low is due to my regard for the offensive unit of the team.
I’m streaming the Cardinals defense for Week 1 in New Orleans in leagues where we still use team defenses.
Other risers: Tucker Kraft, GB (TE11 to TE 9), Jake Ferguson, DAL (TE 13 to TE 11), Dalton Kincaid, BUF (TE 19 to TE 17)
NEW TO THE TOP-40
Darren Waller, MIA, TE 31
Based mainly on his being Darren Waller and atop the Miami depth chart for tight ends.
His not being ranked more highly is also based on his being Darren Waller, who is now 32 and whose last healthy season was in 2020. He did not play in 2024.
I’d love to be too low on him.
AJ Barner, SEA, TE 36 and Elijah Arroyo, SEA, TE 39
With Noah Fant gone, there is a possibility one of these two will emerge to be a more highly ranked tight end in 2025.
Barner has a respectable rookie season under his belt and is the new incumbent. He is 23 years old and currently atop the depth chart.
Arroyo is a tremendous athlete. He is 22 years old and a rookie.
This will be a situation to watch, but I don’t think there will be enough tight end targets for two fantasy-relevant tight ends in this offense.
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Tory Horton, Kenneth Walker III, and Zach Charbonet there as well, there may not even be enough targets for one.
CURRENT FALLERS
Cade Otton, TB, TE 20 to TE 32
I could very well be too bearish on Cade Otton. He’s proven to be a top tight end at times, who has a good rapport with his quarterback in a volume passing offense.
Seems like a recipe for a bump to, or at least hold, his ranking.
But he’s already had a hamstring injury, and now a leg injury.
My Spidey Sense is tingling.
I’d be thankful to be wrong and return him to his earned place.
Jonnu Smith, PIT, TE 12 to TE 18
I have always loved Jonnu Smith. It was a pleasure seeing his ceiling in 2024.
I do not trust the other Smith (if you don’t know whom I speak of, count your blessings).
There is a possibility that none of the wide receivers outside of DK Metcalf (Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Ben Skowronek, Scotty Miller) will make an impact this season. But I think Aaron Rodgers would pivot to one of the running backs before either Jonnu or Pat Freiermuth.
I believe the best chance for big fantasy numbers for the tight ends would be as end zone targets.
At least enough that I now have each as mid-TE 2 targets.
There are other ranking drops, but those are a result of shuffling from the risers.
OFF THE TABLE
Noah Fant, CIN (previously TE 32)
New address, who dis?
Behind Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample at tight end in Cincinnati. There are opportunities, but a lot has to happen to make him fantasy relevant.
Taysom Hill, NO (previously TE 37)
The health update is not good. He may still wind up being a best ball late-season winner, but I’m glad to let others make that wager.
Tommy Tremble (previously TE 39)
A victim of gravity that was close to the bottom edge.
WATCH LIST CANDIDATES
Luke Musgrave, GB
Luke Schoonmaker, DAL
Ben Sinnott, WAS
Colby Parkinson, LAR
The NFL season is nearly here! It’s the week for home league drafts!
I’m hoping you get a long weekend. Enjoy the one you have.
