TE Dynasty Trade Targets

Hey Razzballers, it’s me again for a third time, back with my favorite dynasty tight end trade targets. If you missed them, be sure to check out my dynasty WR, RB, and QB trade target articles. This might be my favorite position to evaluate in all of dynasty, especially in those funky and sometimes controversial, tight end premium formats.

What has traditionally been one of fantasy football’s thinnest positions is becoming increasingly valuable. NFL teams collectively targeted tight ends 3,970 times last season, the highest total in league history. As offenses continue to feature TEs at a greater rate, having at least two reliable starters on your dynasty roster can provide a significant weekly edge. While everyone else chases wide receivers, championships are often won by identifying the next breakout tight end before the rest of the league does.

Rebuilding Rosters

Oronde Gadsden II: Flashing legitimate TE1 upside from Weeks 7 through 9, reminding everyone why he was one a sleeper. As a receiving weapon, he fits Mike McDaniel’s offense perfectly, but the Chargers’ decision to acquire David Njoku tells you exactly what they think of Gadsden’s blocking. According to PFF, he graded as the Chargers’ lowest-rated run-blocking tight end in 2025. If he develops in that area while learning from Njoku, the runway is clear for a breakout in 2027.

Chig Okonkwo: The Commanders have a lack of pass catchers, and they brought him in on a three-year deal to fortify their ranks. He hopes to be unleashed from the get-go, replacing Zach Ertz’s 19% target share. My concern? He’s yet to eclipse either 60 receptions or 600 receiving yards in a season. Last year’s fantasy TE1 averaged 73 catches and 760 receiving yards, illustrating the gap he still needs to close. Even so, Okonkwo offers a safe TE2 floor with some TE1 upside at his current dynasty price.

Win-Now Contenders

Hunter Henry: Drake Maye’s breakout season helped Henry finish as the TE7 in 2025, and he quickly became the Patriots’ clear No. 2 receiving option. Romeo Doubs adds competition, but Henry ranked second among all tight ends in passing-opportunity snaps and has built-in chemistry with Maye. Rookie Eli Raridon is waiting in the wings, yet Henry should continue to dominate snaps while playing out the final year of his contract. Contenders looking for dependable production shouldn’t overlook him.

Long-Term Contenders

Isaiah Likely: The breakout we’ve been waiting for may finally be here. Reuniting with John Harbaugh in New York allows Likely to become the featured tight end in an ascending offense. Harbaugh once said he wanted Likely to become “an All-Pro,” and now he’ll have every opportunity to prove him right. With Jaxson Dart under center and Malik Nabers commanding defensive attention, Likely is one of the few TEs who has a pathway for stardom.   

Sam LaPorta: It’s easy to forget LaPorta is only 25 years old. A back injury derailed what was shaping up to be another monster season; he was pacing towards 92 receptions, 923 receiving yards, and six touchdowns over a full schedule. Somehow, he feels overlooked and undervalued as an asset. Entering a contract year healthy, he should change that narrative quickly. Whether Detroit extends him or another team eventually makes him a focal point, LaPorta remains a cornerstone dynasty TE asset.

Bargain Shopping

AJ Barner: Quietly looking like Seattle’s No. 2 receiving option, yet his dynasty ranking still sits well below where I believe it should. He finished inside the top 10 among tight ends in Expected Points Added (EPA) and doubled his production from Year 1 to Year 2. Seattle intends to keep the offense similar from last season, which should benefit Barner, who was second on the team with six receiving TDs. Jaxson Smith-Njigba should draw plenty of double coverage, allowing Barner to operate freely. 

Terrance Ferguson: I was much higher on Ferguson heading into his second season with the Rams. In typical fantasy fashion, the Rams resigned Tyler Higbee, drafted Max Klare, and still have Colby Parkinson on the roster. With all of the uncertainty at the depth chart, Ferguson, who led all TEs with 17.9 aDOT, is an obtainable commodity to consider. I prefer his long-term outlook to some of the TEs in this year’s rookie class. 

Rookie Watch

Justin Joly: One of my favorite rookie targets. Denver presents a tremendous opportunity with Evan Engram showing signs of decline and on the wrong side of 30. Like Gadsden, Joly is a receiving-first tight end whose blocking still needs refinement, but his athletic profile gives him a realistic chance to develop into Sean Payton’s coveted “Joker” role. Teams don’t trade up in the draft for no reason. 

Oscar Delp: Delp is more of the traditional in-line tight end, but his landing spot couldn’t be much better. Juwan Johnson’s contract includes a team opt-out after the 2026 season, opening the door for Delp to take over sooner rather than later. Tight ends have averaged roughly a 20% target share across Kellen Moore’s offenses, and only eight tight ends reached that threshold league-wide last season. Don’t be surprised if Delp’s dynasty value steadily climbs as training camp unfolds.

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