The tight end position in fantasy football is a tricky one to draft because the pool of talent usually drops off after the first few elite ones are selected. Here are some tight ends who stand to show some potential future value that make good picks to stash in dynasty leagues with the hope that their selection eventually pays off.
10. Gavin Escobar, Tight End, Dallas Cowboys
Escobar, should he be targeted in dynasty drafts will eventually have his day in Dallas when legendary tight end Jason Witten who is starting his 13th year in the NFL eventually moves on. With not much field time to show for, Escobar, does have potential as he turned the only nine catches he had into four touchdowns in 2014. If you have the patience to wait for the 6’-6” Escobar who is just starting his third NFL year to eventually see a lead role, then he makes a quality pick.
9. Timothy Wright, Tight End, New England Patriots
Wright makes a nice compliment when used in two tight end formations alongside Rob Gronkowski. While it is hard to depend on him on a regular basis, he is a keeper to stash if Gronk, who has been known to miss substantial time to injuries, goes downs. Over his 2014 season, Wright scored six touchdowns on the 26 catches he had proving he has that red zone threat when Tom Brady hones in on him.
8. Larry Donnell, Tight End, New York Giants
Starting off the 2014 fantasy season with some big games had Donnell turning heads as another reliable tight end option to add to fantasy leagues. Where Donnell cooled off a bit towards the end of the season, he’s still worth an add to see how he progresses in the 2015 season. Finishing 12th among all his fellow tight ends with six touchdowns and 623 yards deems him worthy of a draft in dynasty leagues if you current tight end is starting to slow down.
7. Mychal Rivera, Tight End, Oakland Raiders
Rivera showed some splashes of promise under his new rookie quarterback, Derek Carr. With some offseason time to develop their chemistry Rivera certainly could be a tight end to own for future seasons. Towards the end of 2014, Carr and Rivera began connecting more and he finished his season with 58 catches, 534 yards and four touchdowns. He's a young work in progress worth holding on to.
6. Charles Clay, Tight End, Miami Dolphins
Worth a look in dynasty leagues is Clay, who will begin his fifth year in Miami and who is finally starting to show some relevance as a fantasy tight end. During his past two seasons, he has totaled over 1,300 yards and scored nine touchdowns. If he continues to improve he could work his way up into a top 10 tight end at some point in the near future. Clay makes a serviceable fantasy tight end if you’re currently stuck with an underperformer in this position.
5. Zach Ertz, Tight End, Philadelphia Eagles
Ertz finished strong in 2014 compared to his numbers from his rookie season. While he managed just three touchdowns, Ertz had 702 receiving yards which shows the Eagles can rely upon his receiving skills moving forth. Earning a 14th overall ranking in fantasy points had Ertz sitting well above other tight ends who were drafted many rounds ahead of him. Entering just third NFL season should have Ertz rewarding his dynasty owners nicely in the long run.
4. Dwayne Allen, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts
Allen, while he didn’t pile up a ton of yardage, scored eight times in the 13 games for which he played in 2014. Returning from an injury that kept him out the prior season may have Allen being available to draft in dynasty leagues after such a sweet comeback year. He’s a touchdown machine and bound to score if he gets his hands on the ball as shown by his eight scores on only 29 catches. Definitely target Allen as a keeper if you have the need for improvement.
3. Travis Kelce, Tight End, Kansas City Chiefs
A definite asset to the Chiefs’ offense was Kelce last season. Playing in his first full season in the NFL, Kelce caught the eyes of people who were in need of a better tight end and he didn’t disappoint. Finishing 2014 with 862 yards and five touchdowns had Kelce ranking ninth in fantasy points in 2014. Kelce was targeted 87 times over the season and was Alex Smith’s favorite go-to guy in the red zone. He’s a fabulous keeper option moving forth.
2. Delanie Walker, Tight End, Tennessee Titans
Walker proved to be a major target for whichever quarterback was calling the signals in Tennessee. Targeted 106 times, and ranking eighth among his fellow tight ends in fantasy points brands Walker a popular choice for a fantasy tight end moving forward. Finishing the season with four touchdowns and 890 yards makes Walker especially appealing in PPR keeper leagues.
1. Coby Fleener, Tight End, Indianapolis Colts
If Fleener is still available to draft in dynasty leagues, he’s a must-add. During the course of the 2014 season, Fleener scored 12 touchdowns and racked up 774 receiving yards. Fleener and Allen who is mentioned above are the only two tight ends from the same team to finish the season ranked in the top 15. Quarterback Andrew Luck clearly loves throwing to his tight ends as shown by 184 attempted passes to them. Fleener finished sixth overall in fantasy points for 2014 and no one saw that coming. Luck isn’t going to start throwing less anytime soon making Fleener a slam-dunk tight end selection for years to come.