That’s a wrap on the 2025 NFL draft. Now, it’s time to kick fantasy football season into full gear.
We all know the adage about rookie tight ends: they rarely produce from the jump. However, that trend has been bucked in recent years with the performances of Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers. Can anyone in this class keep that recent history going? Or are we back to the days of dire tight end production?
Risky TE1s
Chicago Bears TE Colston Loveland (Michigan)
If Loveland had only landed elsewhere, the risk would have been lessened.
This class’s most polished pass catcher was a good candidate for instant TE1 production. Now he’s on a team with incumbent TE Cole Kmet, who just received a significant extension. I don’t have doubts about Loveland’s talent and pedigree. Chicago didn’t take him 10th overall to sit around. The question is where he falls in the pecking order.
Keenan Allen’s departure opened up some available targets, especially from the slot, but that was quickly filled. Loveland’s arrival in the draft also includes Luther Burden III, the talented receiver out of Missouri. D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze are the assumed top two targets. At best, Loveland could be third on that pecking order.
Then there are the formation concerns. Will Chicago deploy many two-tight end sets? Will Loveland be used as a big slot in Keenan Allen’s absence? How often will he be on the field to block? He could see the field while being as low as the fifth or sixth option behind Kmet, Burden, and running back D’Andre Swift.
New head coach Ben Johnson will undoubtedly be creative, and Loveland’s ability to line up at tight end or out of the slot will be a boost. But it’s just as likely that he’s a redraft drop as being a legitimate fantasy option. If you’re taking him in redraft, best to take another tight end to mitigate your risk.
Indianapolis Colts TE Tyler Warren (Penn State)
The second tight end off the board, Warren, also finds himself in an interesting situation. Unlike Loveland, Warren is without question the starting tight end from day one. He also doesn’t have the same potential to tumble down the target pecking order. Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs were all 800+ yard receivers, but there’s little else beyond that. At worst, Warren is fourth, and could climb if he builds trust.
Warren’s issues are twofold. He’s pretty raw, despite what last season’s numbers at Penn State might say. He will have to win with route running instead of sheer physicality at the next level. On top of that, things are uncertain under center in Indianapolis. The quarterback battle between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson feels uninspired. Richardson should win the job, but he’s not the most accurate.
If Jones wins the job, Warren’s upside is capped, albeit with a bit more floor. If Richardson wins, Warren is as likely to post a burger as he is to produce a starting tight end week. It depends on how much risk you are willing to stomach if taking him in redraft leagues.
TE2s with Potential TE1 Upside
New York Jets TE Mason Taylor (LSU)
Another rookie tight end that’s a no-doubt day one starter. Taylor was the 42nd overall pick after the Jets were heavily linked to first-round tight end Tyler Warren. Given the state of New York’s receiving core after Garrett Wilson, Taylor could find himself as high as second on the target order.
The problem is that it may not be a fantasy-friendly spot. This will be a run-first offense centered around Breece Hall and Justin Fields. And when Fields throws, he’s often a one-read guy. That read will usually be Garrett Wilson. Even if Taylor gets some targets, it won’t be from an accurate quarterback, and it won’t be in a good offense.
The target vacuum in New York may be enough to produce results. But I’m not counting on the year one value for Taylor. He’s more of a late-round dart toss if you don’t love your first tight end pick.
Los Angeles Rams TE Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
Ferguson’s value is entirely dependent on Tyler Higbee’s health and productivity. The 32-year-old incumbent tore his ACL and MCL in the 2023 playoffs and returned for just three games this past season. He’s always been a favored target of Matthew Stafford, but his age and injuries may be too much to overcome.
If Ferguson can become the top tight end, there are targets to be had here, especially in the red zone. Ferguson improved his receiving totals in all four years at Oregon, has a massive frame, and has plenty of speed for the position. It’s more likely that he is TE2, but he could be worth a late dart throw. At the very least, he’s a guy to keep your eye on if on the waiver wire.
Dynasty Dart Throws: Seattle Seahawks TE Elijah Arroyo (Miami), Cleveland Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green), Tennessee Titans TE Gunnar Helm (Texas), Los Angeles Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse), Denver Broncos TE Caleb Lohner (Utah), Houston Texans TE Luke Lachey (Iowa)
