2022 Sleeper and Value Plays at Tight End
The Average Draft order shows a general picture of how your draft will unfold and where values/sleepers and bad values/busts likely exist. Any green highlight means the player is a good value that could be taken earlier. A red highlight signifies an overvalued player that is a bad value or just too high of a risk for that spot. No color means the pick is a reasonable value at that spot.
See also:
Average Draft order – Value picks
| ADP |
Tm |
Tight End |
|
| 1 |
KC |
Travis Kelce |
GOAT tight end. Period. |
| 2 |
BAL |
Mark Andrews |
Lock for Top-5 and all that passing in 2021 propped him up to No 1. BAL intends less passing this year but Andrews still rock solid. |
| 3 |
SF |
George Kittle |
Another lock for Top-5 when healthy. Change in QB could impact, but Kittle will remain heavily involved. |
| 4 |
ATL |
Kyle Pitts |
Set rookie records and already broke 1,000 yards. Change in QB could hurt but Pitts will eventually be the next Travis Kelce. |
| 5 |
LVR |
Darren Waller |
After two monster seasons, Waller regressed and missed five games. He’ll remain a factor, but addition of Davante Adams will knock down everyone’s targets. |
| 6 |
DET |
T.J. Hockenson |
Was No. 5 in 2020 when healthy but finished 2021 on IR with the thumb injury. Influx of new receivers for Lions means Hockenson has to share more, but he’s a solid pick in a position that offers so few difference-makers. |
| 7 |
DAL |
Dalton Schultz |
Ended as the No. 3 fantasy TE last year. Playing under franchise tag so everything to win with a big year. DAL running short of receivers to start the season. |
| 8 |
PHI |
Dallas Goedert |
Has been a Top-8 TE for a few seasons, but should lose a few targets to A.J. Brown as the new possession guy. In a thin position, he won’t kill you but won’t be a difference-maker. |
| 9 |
BUF |
Dawson Knox |
This is likely his ceiling, but scored nine times last year. If you waited on a TE1, Knox is a reasonable fall back. |
| 10 |
ARI |
Zach Ertz |
Bounced back from a bad 2020 when he went to ARI and helped out when DeAndre Hopkins was out. This isn’t a bad pick but Cards added receivers and Ertz turns 32. |
| 11 |
PIT |
Pat Freiermuth |
As a rookie, logged the No. 13 spot last year with 60 catches for 497 yards. Should be at least incrementally better with upside. |
| 12 |
MIA |
Mike Gesicki |
MIA added Tyreek Hill and the offense has more weapons. This is about where Gesicki has been for three years. |
| 13 |
NE |
Hunter Henry |
Went to NE where he still had his normal 600 yards but added a career-best nine touchdowns. Solid TE2 that can become a starter if needed. |
| 14 |
CHI |
Cole Kmet |
The touchdowns are lacking to be sure, but while the Bears struggled to pass in 2021, Kmet logged 60 catches for 612 yards. Only Darnell Mooney had more receptions for the Bears. |
| 15 |
WAS |
Logan Thomas |
Tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in December. Started camp on PUP. Not remotely interested. |
Sleepers and overvalued players
| ADP |
Tm |
Tight End |
|
| 16 |
GB |
Robert Tonyan Jr. |
Tore his ACL in Week 8 last year and it was said to “remain unclear” if he’d be ready for Week 1. What is very clear is that he won’t be on my team. |
| 17 |
IND |
Mo Alie-Cox |
Yeah, has never been better than the No. 26 in a position where only a dozen matter. I want at least the chance that my players can offer a fantasy start. |
| 18 |
TEN |
Austin Hooper |
Had a couple of Top-10 seasons with the Falcons and now becomes the TE1 for the Titans. Solid backup with upside. |
| 19 |
MIN |
Irv Smith Jr. |
He was touted as being a big part of the passing plans for Vikes. This deep is a great hold-and-see. Had thumb injury this month but is expected to be good for Week 1. |
| 20 |
CIN |
Hayden Hurst |
Moves to CIN after stints in BAL and ATL. Becomes the TE1 and offers a bye week filler. |
| 21 |
SEA |
Noah Fant |
Landed in Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade. Was solid with 60 catches for 650 yards in Denver for three years. Turnover at QB for Seahawks means there could be more upside in an offense re-establishing passing trends. |
| 22 |
JAC |
Evan Engram |
He hasn’t looked great in camp for his new team, but this deep means he’s a hold to see if he catches any spark with the Jags. |
| 23 |
LAR |
Tyler Higbee |
Bye week filler as another 500-yard TE. |
| 24 |
TB |
Kyle Rudolph |
Signed a one-year deal to help replace Rob Gronkowski. But he’s turning 33 years old and hasn’t been better than No. 38 since 2019. |
Best of the Rest
David Njoku (CLE) – Worth watching if not draft and hold for whatever happens when DeShaun Watson finally shows up. Previous peak was 56-639- 4 back in 2018.
Brevin Jordan (HOU) – Quiet rookie year but enters 2022 as the TE1 in Houston. Worth a watch for any second-year progress.
