Favorite TE Targets at each section of Best Ball Drafts

Here are my top 2-3 targets in each area of Best Ball Drafts, broken up in First Third (Rounds 1-6), Second Third (7-12), and Final Third (13-18).

First Third: Travis Kelce (ADP: 39.3), Dalton Kincaid (ADP: 52), George Kittle (ADP: 67.3)

Kelce:

Kelce was considered a massive disappointment last year because despite finishing as TE2, he just wasn’t worth the 1st round selection. Now though he’s going as a 4th-round pick, and is right in line for what he produced last season. Considering how his game elevated in the postseason, and we know the upside case for Kelce, he can not only be TE1, but be so by a pretty serious margin.

Last year was Patrick Mahomes‘ worst season as a pro, so assuming a bit of a bounce back and Kelce should be in line for very good if not elite production. It’s likely that he has a higher target share, and TD rate than most of the receivers going in this same range, so even in a 1-vs-1 situation he’s a better option to draft.

Kincaid:

Kincaid had a solid rookie season with 73 catches, 673 yards, and 2 TDs, but what really excites people is that the Bills lost their top 2 receivers this offseason. Kincaid has the chance to be the top-target option tied to an elite QB. Those 91 targets could jump to 130-150 targets this season, and if the TDs jump to 7-10, then he could be in the TE1 mix.

Kittle:

Kittle is one of the best spike-week TEs in the league, and his ADP remains the lowest in this tier. On one hand that makes sense given the lack of total targets, and the competition he has for targets. But that doesn’t make sense given that Mark Andrews has a similar case and he goes much higher.

Kittle just isn’t valued enough right now, given that he’s part of one of the best elite offenses in the league. He had over 1,000 yards in 16 games last season (90 targets), so there is even a case for more this coming season.

Second Third:  Jake Ferguson (ADP: 85.1), Dallas Goedert (ADP: 114.4), Pat Freiermuth (ADP: 133.7)

Ferguson:

Ferguson finished as TE8 last season so it makes sense he’s going as TE9 this year. What’s most appealing about him is the upside case in this offense. He only had 5 TDs last season despite over 100 targets, on the team that threw the most TDs in the league. If Ferguson is used the same this year, he easily could have 8-12 TDs.

Though he might not be as naturally talented as some of the top TEs, Ferguson’s role in one of the top passing offenses, allows you to have the chance of elite TE production, without paying the price.

Goedert:

Goedert hasn’t had the major fantasy impact that one would hope for, but he’s better than the market assumes. He’s missed 5 games and 3 games the past two seasons, which has partially muted his fantasy outlook. Goedert has finished at TE11 and TE5, in points per game the last two seasons, so there is clear upside here. The biggest issue is the lack of TDs, as he’s only had 3 each of the last two years. If that changes, he can be a top 5 TE.

Freiermuth:

Freiermuth has dealt with subpar QB play his entire career so far, but will see a nice upgrade with either Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at the helm. Also a new offensive coordinator that should see a system that allows Friermuth to become the true 2nd option on this team. He could be a massive Red zone weapon like he was his rookie season when he had 7 TDs.

Final Third: Hunter Henry (ADP: 159), Tyler Conklin (ADP: 178.3), Chig Okonkwo (ADP:190.5)

Henry:

Henry has dealt with an extremely poor Patriots passing attack the past few years, yet he’s produced good results when he’s been healthy and given the opportunity. With a new coaching staff, and more general talent at the QB position between Brissett and Maye, Henry is in a strong position this season.

Henry also benefits from the fact that the coaching staff comes from the Browns system, which has featured good TE play. He could be the focal point of this passing game, particularly since there isn’t a clear-cut number 1 or number 2 WR on this team.

Conklin:

Conklin has three straight seasons of 87 targets, and the last two with the Jets were with very sub-par QB play. Now he gets an Aaron Rodgers upgrade at QB, and he could be in line for more overall work, as well as more Red zone chances in a better offense.

Rodgers in the past has elevated lesser TEs, it was just a few years ago that Robert Tonyan was a top 5 TE because Rodgers threw him double-digit TDs. At the very least Conklin offers a solid floor play, and he could be a top 15 TE, despite currently going as TE 22.

Okonkwo:

Okonkwo is going in the final couple rounds of drafts, despite all the reports of the Titans passing offense taking center stage this year. He is a naturally athletically gifted TE, who could find himself featured more and see more playing time as they get away from being a run-first team.

He had 77 targets last year on a team that didn’t throw the ball a lot and wasn’t particularly dynamic, if the targets come up to the 90-100 range, and he sees some more downfield targets, he could easily outperform his ranking.