The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, now we have the fund of rookie outlooks- here is the TE edition. By now most of us are familiar with a good percentage of the rookie class and now we must do our best to combat rookie fever in an attempt to determine where, if at all the 2023 rookies should be drafted in redraft leagues. This article aims to assess both dynasty and redraft outlooks for the 2023 crop of rookies.
For this article, we will be looking at the top 6 tight ends as they were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft. For each position, I will provide a custom graphic to illustrate each player’s landing spot and draft capital, but the complete list of players drafted can be found here. You can find individual rookie profiles here written by the KFS team. Without further delay, let’s take a look at the top rookies of this class.
Dalton Kincaid (JAX)
Dynasty
The first tight end off the board in the NFL Draft is flying off the board in dynasty drafts. Before the draft, Kincaid was reliably available at the end of round two, since then he has skyrocketed into the late first round.
He is going as TE7 in dynasty startups according to Dynasty League Football and that’s far too rich for my tastes. Tight ends take some time to develop and are rarely worth such a high draft pick.
The long-term upside is there in the high-flying Bills offence, I just don’t want to buy in on a rookie tight end at such an elevated price tag. He sits at TE10 in my dynasty rankings.
Redraft
If I didn’t want to buy in on Kincaid at his dynasty price, I sure won’t be doing so in Redraft. Highly ranked rookie tight ends are rarely worth their cost in redraft leagues and I don’t expect this to be any different.
Kincaid is being valued at an astronomical TE5 right now despite his ECR ranking being TE25. There is no chance that he provides a return on investment at his current draft cost and is not only being drafted at his ceiling but above it.
He currently ranks as TE17 in my redraft rankings and is a total avoid for me until his cost cools off significantly.
Sam LaPorta (DET)
Dynasty
LaPorta came out of nowhere to be taken as the second tight end off the board at the NFL Draft and that has significantly impacted his fantasy stock. LaPorta was once consistently drafted in the third or fourth round of rookie drafts but now sees himself off the board by the middle of round two, at the latest.
He checks in as TE17 in Dynasty startup leagues according to Dynasty League Football. LaPorta figures to be a good fit with the Lions and good be productive even as a rookie, at nearly a one-round discount to Kincaid, I would prefer to draft LaPorta.
He currently ranks as TE11 in my dynasty rankings and is my second-favourite tight end in this class.
Redraft
If I had to draft one rookie tight end in 2023 redraft leagues, it would be LaPorta. Not only is he cheaper than Kincaid and Mayer, but he also has the easiest path to targets as a rookie.
Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season due to suspension and this could provide LaPorta a significant head start on his career.
He ranks as TE31 in Fantasy Pros redraft rankings and checks in as TE18 in my redraft rankings. He is a great late-round tight-end target and could easily be fantasy relevant.
Michael Mayer (LV)
Dynasty
The dynasty value of Mayer is tough to assess. He entered the pre-draft progress as the clear favourite to be TE1 in the rookie class, a mediocre NFL Combine caused him to fall to the third tight end drafted.
Mayer lands on a shaky Raiders offence that projects to be average at best. While there will be plenty of time to grow for Mayer and this offence, he will require some patience before fantasy managers see a return on their investment.
He currently ranks TE12 in dynasty startup ADP and is TE8 in my dynasty rankings. The price is a touch on the expensive side for a tight end that is going to require some time to develop. I would prefer to spend my draft capital elsewhere.
Redraft
His Redraft outlook is also a mixed bag. He will go off the board outside the top ten tight ends in redraft and if he hits could be the redraft steal of the year. Typically rookie tight ends are not a solid investment for seasonal leagues, but at his mid-range cost, he could prove to be a low-risk option.
Mayer ranks as TE20 in my Redraft rankings and is more of a late-round backup tight-end option for the 2023 season. he could provide value but don’t expect him to carry your team.
Luke Musgrave (GB)
Dynasty
Musgrave was a mediocre college tight end and received decent draft capital but the situation in Green Bay is murky. Not only did the Packers draft another rookie tight end but they will be starting what is essentially a rookie quarterback in Jordan Love.
He is going off the board as TE24 in dynasty startup drafts so the cost is inexpensive, but I think I would prefer to wait until he finds his way onto my waiver wire before picking him up. There are too many variables that could affect his role and production and will be a long-term project more than anything.
He sits as TE22 in my dynasty rankings. He projects to be nothing more than a bye-week replacement for fantasy.
Redraft
Musgrave sits as TE39 in Redraft ADP and is not on the radar for 2023 fantasy leagues. The upside is not there and the likelihood of him producing a relevant stat line as a rookie is slim. If he manages to hit, it will be down the road in his career when he refines his raw skillset and when the Packer’s youthful offence begins to come around.
For now, he should be ignored in the 2023 seasonal leagues. He sits as TE27 in my Redraft rankings.
Luke Schoonmaker (DAL)
Dynasty
Schoonmaker was a total shot out of left field. He was barely on my tight end board so when the Cowboys selected him I was beyond surprised. He is currently going undrafted in dynasty startup drafts and goes at the end of the third round of rookie drafts.
Schoonmaker checks in as TE37 in my dynasty rankings and is a long shot to ever be useful, especially when you factor in that Dallas already has two young tight ends on the roster Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot.
Redraft
As irrelevant as he projects to be in dynasty, he is twice as irrelevant for the 2023 Redraft leagues. Schoonmaker is going outside of the top 300 picks in seasonal leagues and is TE43. Schoonmaker sits as TE38 in my Redraft rankings and should be off your radar in all seasonal leagues.
Brenton Strange (JAX)
Dynasty
Another off-the-board selection, strange being selected by Jacksonville was… well, Strange. He doesn’t currently have an ADP in dynasty startup drafts, rookie drafts, or seasonal leagues. He is the forgotten man and is likely on the waiver wire in 99% of your dynasty leagues. The waiver wire is where he belongs for now.
Should Evan Engram choose to move on in 2024 it’s entirely possible that Strange could get an opportunity to produce but the pathway to success is long and not likely to be fruitful. He checks in as TE41 in my dynasty rankings.
Redraft
Nothing to see here. He ranks as TE54 in my Redraft rankings and even that might be too generous. The Jaguars are going to be a potent offence this year, but with all the weapons on this roster, there is little to no chance that Strange provides any useful production in 2023.
Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
