2024 Rookie Best Ball Tight End Rankings

Similar to running back opportunity is going to be what matters most when it comes to rookie TEs. While talent is important, if a rookie TE is in a timeshare or not able to crack the starting line-up, they aren’t going to carry a lot of fantasy value. This year’s class is not as deep and talented as last year’s TE group, which ended up featuring the top .5 PPR TE in Sam LaPorta. That said there are still a couple good options, especially if they get the right landing spot.

Brock Bowers, TE 9, ADP-112.9

Bowers is one of the best TE prospects to enter the draft in recent years and will be a surefire first-round pick, likely in the top 15 selections. His size profile is similar to LaPorta’s and his route running is very good for a young player. He has dominated SEC competition for 3 seasons, and should have no issue making the transition to the NFL game. With him being drafted so high, he is guaranteed to be a teams starting TE and should be a focal point of the offense. Now we still will want a quality offense for him to land in, but Bowers absolutely can pay off this top 10 ADP. I love the overall upside and think that you are getting a talented guy, if the offense is the right fit he can be a top 5 TE.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE 27, ADP- 200.8

Sanders is a very talented TE and would have been in the mix of last year’s class as the first TE off the board (though likely would have been more like TE 3 or 4). Unfortunately this season, he’s clearly well behind Bowers, so he doesn’t get near the hype he probably would in another class. Sanders has the talent and profile to be a good starting TE at the next level, a player who is capable of being a top 10 TE, and potentially as a rookie in the right offense. The fact that you can land him so late, he’s the perfect TE3 and a good TE2. I love the value that you are getting for him here, especially if he lands in a good offense.

Ben Sinnott, TE 39, ADP- 238.2

Sinnott represents a big tier drop in terms of rookie TEs. Though he likely will go early-to-mid third round, and should be the 3rd or 4th TE off the board, he probably won’t be valued as much of a fantasy option this year. He’s shown the upside to be a solid starting TE at the NFL level, but it’s far less likely a team will view him as an immediate starter. His solid blocking and sure hands could keep him on the field enough to be a decent floor play in the right offense.

Theo Johnson, TE 40, ADP- 238.7

Johnson has the size and athletic profile that is going to intrigue NFL teams and could have him as the 3rd or 4th TE taken in the draft. His production wasn’t nearly as impressive at Penn State, but he did have some competition during his time there. I think the biggest concern with Johnson is that he’s more likely to need a year or two to develop before being a real fantasy asset, unless he carves out a major Red Zone role as a rookie. He’s a guy I’m going to mainly pass on, as I expect him to take longer to develop. I think it will take the perfect landing spot for me to really get excited about him in fantasy this season.

Cade Stover, TE 46, ADP- 239.8

Stover has fallen to the 5th TE in this class among Underdog drafts, and that could be where he ends up in the actual NFL draft. He likely will be in the mid-to-late 3rd round range, but he has a little fantasy appeal if he goes to a team that would give him an opportunity for a major role. Stover carved out a pretty impressive role at Ohio State the past two seasons, and was a clear weapon despite the presence of so many elite WR options. Stover isn’t a dynamic TE, but he can be a solid chain mover and Red Zone weapon. Even in a starting role he isn’t likely to be a top 10 TE, but he could be a solid TE 2 in fantasy. Here though without knowing a landing spot we are just hoping for enough of a role that he’s the TE 3, and can fill in for some bye weeks. I think there is a little upside, but without a clear role it’s a guess.