Travis Kelce has separated himself as the clear TE1 in all formats and a consensus first-round pick in single-quarterback leagues. Behind Kelce, the tight-end landscape is pretty muddy. The likes of Mark Andrews and Darren Waller have produced elite seasons in the past, but their question marks and a slew of others with unproven upside create a lot of uncertainty at the position for fantasy owners.
Below are my 2023 fantasy football tight-end sleepers. For more fantasy football tips, check out my top running back sleepers.
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Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Joining rookie quarterback CJ Stroud, Dalton Schultz signed a one-year deal with the Texans this offseason after five seasons in Dallas. Schultz saw just 19 total targets in his first two seasons as the Cowboys’ backup. In 2020, he moved up the depth chart due to injuries and earned at least 89 targets each of the last three seasons.
In his best season, Schultz finished third in tight end fantasy points with 78 receptions for 808 yards and eight touchdowns in 2021.
Look, the upside is probably capped for Schultz as the Texans break in their new franchise quarterback. That said, Schultz is the clear number one tight end option and should garner a strong target share in an offense that will likely be playing catch up a lot this season. If he and Stroud can build trust quickly, Schultz may be a solid mid-TE1 option.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth increased his targets by 19 and receiving yards by 235 in 2023 from his rookie season. Unfortunately, his two touchdown receptions doomed his fantasy potential.
He still finished seventh in PPR fantasy points for tight ends in 2022. If he had caught seven touchdowns instead of two, he would have jumped to tight end five. Kenny Pickett has a year under his belt and should improve vastly on his touchdown numbers. He threw for just seven scores in 13 games for the Steelers last season.
The Steelers drafted Darnell Washington in the third round as a mammoth tight end body, but his strength is likely on the blocking side early in his NFL career. Freiermuth could elevate into the top-5 fantasy tight end discussion this season with just an uptick in scoring opportunities.
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona could easily be the worst team in the NFL in 2022, which means they should be trailing quite frequently. Somebody is going to have to catch the ball as the Cardinals play catch up and defenses force them to check down.
Trey McBride largely disappointed during his rookie campaign with just 29 receptions for 265 yards and a single score. With Zach Ertz continuing to hold off Father Time, McBride finally earned more playing time down the stretch. He posted four top-20 tight end fantasy weeks in the last five games of 2022, including a TE2 game in week 17 against the Falcons.
The quarterback position is a huge question mark in Arizona with Kyler Murray potentially returning from injury. If he is unable to go, Colt McCoy or rookie Nathan Tune will get the nod. Both will likely look for short area passing routes and McBride fits that role well.
Rookie Tight End Sleeper
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Even with Dawson Knox on the roster, the Bills clearly decided an upgrade at the tight end position was needed for 2023. They traded up in the first round to grab Dalton Kincaid with the 25th pick.
Tight ends traditionally struggle to hit the ground running, or receiving, as rookies. Kincaid could be an exception this season on one of the NFL’s best offenses. Josh Allen has thrown 35 or more touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. Kincaid showed a knack for the end zone in college with at least eight touchdowns in each of his four full collegiate seasons.
Knox was tight end 14 in PPR leagues last season. If Kincaid can overtake Knox early to earn first string opportunities, there are few late round tight ends with his upside potential.
