Welcome back into our 2024 Sophomore preview series- this is the Tight End edition. We saw a true revitalization of the position with this year’s class. And potentially just in time as some of the top tight ends in today’s game are starting to age out. Make sure also to check out the other positional breakdown articles in this series!
Sam LaPorta
It’s not often that you have a “big 3” at the tight end position in a single rookie class, but that was generally the case last season with Mayer, Kincaid, and LaPorta. After a spectacular rookie campaign, LaPorta is considered by a majority of analysts as the overall dynasty TE1. While that may seem bold after just one year, it’s hard to argue against. LaPorta earned 120 targets as a rookie and solidified himself as the 2nd target in this offense behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. At just 23 years old, he’s already produced a top 3 season in points per game and was the TE1 in total points.
Nothing changed in the Detroit Lions offense that would suggest anything other than more of the same in 2024. I expect LaPorta to solidify himself as one of the top tight ends in the league. This comes on the heels of Darren Wallers’ retirement, Travis Kelce entering this season at 34 years old, and George Kittle entering at 30 years old. The old guard of elite fantasy tight ends is starting to age out and there is a new wave coming that is spearheaded by Sam LaPorta.
Redraft Verdict: Late 2nd/ Early 3rd
Dynasty Class/ Overall Rank: TE1/ TE1
Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid was my personal TE1 in the 2023 rookie class and nothing from the 2024 season changed my view on him. The only reason he falls back to TE2 now is of course LaPorta’s historic breakout. But Kincaid showed a lot of flashes in the 2023 season that warrants continued support. His rookie campaign was very reminiscent of his final year at Utah where he shared the field with an incumbent starter at a nearly 50% clip (Brant Kuithe at Utah and Dawson Knox with the Bills). But that starter goes down during the season and Kincaid flourishes. Knox missed weeks 8-11 last season and following week 8, Kincaid was the TE10 in points per game.
With Diggs no longer in Buffalo as Josh Allen’s primary target, a lot more of the offense might have to flow through Kincaid as he continues his development. Keon Coleman is the projected primary target, but he’s still just a rookie and it will take time for him to develop. James Cook will provide a receiving skillset, but outside of those names, there isn’t much to get excited about if you’re Josh Allen. I expect another step in Kincaid’s development and his fantasy production as he fully relegates Dalton Knox to the TE2 role instead of the even split.
Redraft Verdict: 4th-6th round
Dynasty Class/ Overall Rank: TE2/ TE5
Luke Musgrave
The Packers drafted two extremely athletic tight ends in the second round of the NFL Draft in 2023 and both had their productive moments. Musgrave was the one to win the starting job early last year and was a top-24 tight end through Week 11. But Musgrave would tear his MCL in Week 11 and leave an opening for Tucker Kraft to show what he is capable of. So, from Week 12 on, Kraft did just that as he scored as a top-12 tight end throughout that time.
Going into 2024, things are murky but it seems to be leaning Musgrave’s way based on offseason reports. But even if he potentially reclaims his starting role from last season, Kraft showed enough to be involved in this offense which could seriously cap Musgrave’s fantasy upside. On the flip side, the uncertainty at wide receiver could also potentially open things up for two fantasy-relevant tight ends.
Redraft Verdict: Late Round Dart Throw
Dynasty Class/ Overall Rank: TE3/ TE15
Michael Mayer
Michael Mayer showed legitimate promise last year in an incredibly inconsistent and inept offense at times. He powered through two different starting quarterbacks, including 4th round rookie, and alongside one of the best receivers in the game, Davante Adams. But the point seems mute as the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers early in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. And while Mayer was a high second-round pick in 2023, he was also chosen by the previous coaching staff.
But, as bad as it currently seems, Mayer is a talented tight end who showed promise as a rookie and has pedigree going back to college. There is a very real path forward that both Mayer and Bowers are fantasy-relevant options. Davante Adams is a likely trade candidate if this season nosedives. And even if he isn’t traded, he is 31 years old this year and likely on the back end of his career. And Jakobi Meyers’ contract is done in 2026. Hopefully, by then Oakland will have a realistic long-term plan at quarterback. Bowers likely has the receiving edge on Mayer, but Mayer remains an impeccable all-around tight end. Both of these players could be the top two receivers in this offense as early as midseason this year.
Redraft Verdict: Undrafted/ Watch List
Dynasty Class/ Overall Rank: TE4/ TE16
Tucker Kraft
I already went over a bit of Kraft’s rookie year recap in Musgrave’s section. But as a quick overview, Kraft took over as the starting tight end in Week 12 after Musgrave went down with an MCL tear. During that time, Kraft was a top-12 fantasy tight end, albeit with a small sample size. Both 2023 draft picks were fantasy-viable and showed real potential as legitimate weapons for the Packers. The likely scenario is that both tight ends showed enough to have a significant role in this offense and both will next season. But that caps the upside of both of these young talents as long as both stay healthy. Maybe we see both end up fantasy-viable with the lack of proven weapons in the receiving core. A receiving core built primarily on second and third-year players now. But that scenario seems like a long shot.
Redraft Verdict: Undrafted/ Watch List
Dynasty Class/ Overall Rank: TE5/ TE17
