Derek Okrie delivers the best values at the tight end position for the 2020 fantasy football season.
In each fantasy draft, they will likely be an owner or two that will take a tight end late in the first or early in the second round. Many think that these players will give you a distinct competitive advantage as those top tight ends will score substantially more points than other players at that position.
Let’s take a deeper look at this logic.
The top tight end in 2019 was Travis Kelce (Chiefs) and he scored 157 points in a standard league. The tenth tight end was Dallas Goedert (Eagles) who scored 87 points in that same type of league format. A point differential of 70 points is legitimate, but is it enough to spend a precious top pick on a tight end?
If you complete this same exercise at running back, you will notice the difference is 160 points. At receiver, it’s a 60 point swing.
This is why I draft running backs early and make them a priority. You can get an advantage at tight end if you take one early, but it will put you behind the eight ball on running backs. It also means you will also be passing on elite wide receivers who produce significantly score more points than tight ends overall.
Below, I have ranked in order my top tight end value picks for your 2020 fantasy football draft.
Best TE values for 2020:
Jonnu Smith, Titans, Average Draft Position (ADP) 148 – Smith is a physical freak and will finally get his opportunity now that Delanie Walker is no longer in Tennessee. Expect Smith to be a name that helps many fantasy owners win their league this year. Projected round: 14th Round
Hayden Hurst, Falcons, ADP 112 – Hurst was drafted in the first round, but was rarely used in Baltimore. Now that he has been traded to Atlanta, where they let their top tight end (Austin Hooper) go this off-season, it seems like the perfect spot for Hurst to finally show what he can do on the field. 11th Round
Austin Hooper, Browns, ADP 98 – He is changing teams, but don’t expect his production to change. He will be used often in Cleveland, and that is clear based on the large contract they gave him. 9th Round
Dallas Goedert, Eagles, ADP 154 – The city of Brotherly Love has two talented tight ends. Goedert played well last year and the team expects him to be even better this season. With Zach Ertz also on the roster, you will never see elite numbers for Goedert, yet he is still a good value if you wait until the later rounds for your tight ends. One injury would make him a top tier player for Philly. 15th Round
Noah Fant, Broncos, ADP 115 – The Broncos really started to use Fant well towards the end of his rookie season. He has lots of talent and appears to be a focal point in their offense for years to come. 11th Round
O.J. Howard, Buccaneers, ADP 186 – A top draft pick that has not done much in his first couple of seasons in the NFL. Most have him buried on their draft board, but Tom Brady has always like throwing the ball to his tight ends. Howard could be that player running those deep seam routes for big touchdowns. 18th Round
Chris Herndon IV, Jets, ADP 201 – Injured, suspended, and injured again seemed to be the story of his 2019 season. Although, his rookie year in 2018 was very productive. Expect Herndon to return as one of Sam Darnold’s favorite targets in 2020. 20th Round
Irv Smith Jr., Vikings, ADP 213- He will be the pass-catching tight end in Minnesota’s offense and a late-round fantasy pick that could easily outplay that draft position now that there are fewer weapons to throw to. 21st Round
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins, ADP 122 – Gesicki has always had great athletic ability, but it never really translated to production in the NFL. Last year, it seemed to start to click for Gesicki, and he is another great value target with a chance for great opportunities this year in Miami. 12th Round
Greg Olsen, Seahawks, ADP 183 – Olsen is poised for the broadcast booth when he is done playing, but he is giving it one more run in Seattle. Foot injuries have really hampered his career, but it appears to be a great situation for the veteran with Russell Wilson throwing him the football. 18th Round
