X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2020 Early Sleepers and Draft Targets - Tight End

Craig Rondinone analyzes which tight ends are early sleepers and players who should be targeted in fantasy football drafts heading into the 2020 NFL season.

Just because the NFL’s regular season is over, it does not mean that you stop focusing on fantasy football!

Besides all of the playoff leagues and DFS contests that fantasy footballers can enter, you can also look forward to the 2020 NFL season and start preparing for your drafts and auctions now. Why not get a jump on the competition?

We all know Kansas City’s Travis Kelce, San Francisco’s George Kittle, and Las Vegas’ Darren Waller will garner much of the attention heading into the 2020 NFL campaign. Let’s look at the lesser-known tight ends who could provide plenty of bang for the buck next season. Here are my 2020 early sleepers and draft targets at the tight end position.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles

2019 Stats:  58 receptions, 607 yards, 5 TD

Goedert proved this year that he can produce whether Zach Ertz is on the field or not. The former second-round pick hauled in four Carson Wentz touchdown tosses in the first 10 games he suited up for when Ertz was the top target in the passing attack. Goedert saved his best work for late in the season when his fantasy owners needed him the most, though. He caught 27 passes for 318 yards and one score during his final five contests, and during that span, he was targeted as often as Ertz was (31 targets apiece) until Ertz suffered a fractured rib and lacerated kidney and missed the Eagles’ last game of the season. With Ertz banged up in the Wild Card game, Goedert led the team with seven catches for 70 yards.

Fantasy players worried before about Goedert’s fantasy effectiveness when Ertz was on the field taking the targets and touches. Truth is, Goedert has fantasy value even when Ertz is with him because Philadelphia employs so many two-tight end sets in its offense. Could this be the offseason the Eagles decide to trade one of their talented tight ends away to sure up a hole at another position, though? If that happens this season and Goedert is the top tight end for whichever team he is on, his fantasy stock will skyrocket.

 

Noah Fant - Denver Broncos

2019 Stats:  40 receptions, 562 yards, 3 TD

Denver’s 2019 first-round draft choice had an uneven rookie season that ended on a sour note when all he could muster over the final two games of the season was three receptions for 14 yards. His season totals were nice considering it was his first pro year, but those numbers are mediocre for a tight end in the fantasy football world. You have to remember, though, that Fant had to play with three different quarterbacks (Joe Flacco, Brandon Allen, Drew Lock) and did not have any receivers other than Courtland Sutton distracting defenses once veteran Emmanuel Sanders was shipped to San Francisco midseason.

Denver should be vastly improved on offense in 2020 as Fant, Sutton, and franchise quarterback Lock all gain another year of experience and spend another season working with one another in the offense. Fant has electrifying playmaking ability and can turn 10-yard crosses over the middle into 50-yard touchdowns. At just 22 years old the sky is the limit for this kid, especially if Denver’s offense improves around him. Fant might not turn in the same sophomore season the aforementioned Kittle did in 2018 when he set the record for receiving yards for a tight end in a season, but Fant could surely have 800 yards in 2020 and 1,000 in 2021 if you hold onto him in dynasty leagues.

 

O.J. Howard - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2019 Stats:  34 receptions, 459 yards, 1 TD

Howard entered the 2019 season as a prime candidate to have anywhere from 800 to 1,000 yards since he was coming off a year where he racked up 565 receiving yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games. Then Bruce Arians became Tampa Bay’s head honcho. Howard suddenly disappeared from the offense quicker than a vegetarian’s appetite at a hot dog stand, and his fantasy value fell through the floor. Howard finished with the same amount of catches, 106 fewer yards and four fewer touchdowns than the year prior despite appearing in four more contests.

Tampa Bay’s offense is built around its terrific twosome of receivers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers also have another tight end in Cameron Brate who could start for many teams in the NFL. This means Howard’s best chance to become a fantasy goldmine again is to be traded out of Tampa to a team starving for a super-skilled tight end. Can you see Howard swallowing up red zone passes from Tom Brady in New England in 2020? Maybe offensively-challenged squads such as Jacksonville, Washington, or Arizona try to acquire the former first-rounder for a bargain-basement price. If Howard lands somewhere other than Tampa Bay in 2020, then he instantly becomes a more attractive fantasy piece.

 

Jonnu Smith - Tennessee Titans

2019 Stats:  35 receptions, 439 yards, 3 TD

Delanie Walker ruled the roost at tight end for Tennessee for several seasons, but injuries and Father Time combined to tackle him this year, so he probably will not be in the Titans' plans for 2020. Smith filled in admirably for Walker this year and last as well. The third-year pro had five games of 50-plus receiving yards and was an integral part of Tennessee’s turnaround once Ryan Tannehill took over at quarterback and the offense went from one of the worst in the NFL to an above-average unit with plenty of playmakers.

Smith is more of a home run threat than most tight ends. That was witnessed when he broke a 57-yard run on a rare tight end handoff in Week 15. It was the longest run for a tight end in over 40 years. Because he has the speed of a wide receiver and can break bulk plays, Smith has to be thought of as a great buy-low or draft-low candidate for 2020 since he just needs to learn how to be more consistent and run routes better to take his game to the next level. If Tannehill and the Titans offense continue their upward trend, Smith should have 700 yards and six scores next season and be someone to build around in dynasty leagues.

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Michael Kim

Finishes Tied For 26 at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Staying with Nets
Colby Thomas

Called Up From Triple-A
Shea Langeliers

A's Reinstate Shea Langeliers From Injured List
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Jalen Williams

will Undergo Surgery on Right Wrist
Bryce Harper

Activated and Starting on Monday
Deandre Ayton

Finalizing Contract Buyout With Portland
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Lands on Injured List With Fractured Ribs
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Kerry Carpenter

Leaves Game with Apparent Hamstring Injury
Brooklyn Nets

Day'Ron Sharpe Heads to Free Agency
Santi Aldama

Receives Qualifying Offer
Orlando Magic

Moritz Wagner has Team Option Declined
Jabari Smith Jr.

Signs Massive Extension
Jusuf Nurkić

Hornets Trading Jusuf Nurkic to Utah
Collin Sexton

Heading to Charlotte
Cam Thomas

Set for Restricted Free Agency
Milwaukee Bucks

Bobby Portis Staying in Milwaukee
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Los Angeles Clippers

James Harden, Clippers Agree on a New Contract
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Joel Hofer

Commits to Blues for Two More Years
Kevin Bahl

Signs Long-Term Extension with Flames
Oneil Cruz

Smacks Two Homers
Jordan Spence

Traded to Ottawa
Petr Mrazek

Heads to Anaheim
John Gibson

Red Wings Acquire John Gibson
Matthew Knies

Inks Six-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Aaron Judge

Blasts Two Homers, Dealing With Back Issue
Claude Giroux

Signs One-Year Deal with Senators
Yordan Alvarez

has Chance to Return Next Weekend
Minnesota Timberwolves

Julius Randle Signs Three-Year Extension
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Opts into Player Option
Luis Robert Jr.

Heads to Injured List
Gabriel Arias

Carted Off on Sunday
Bryce Harper

Faces Live Pitching
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Remains Out on Sunday
Utah Jazz

Bojan Bogdanovic Retiring From Basketball
Los Angeles Lakers

Dorian Finney-Smith Declines Player Option
Jaylin Williams

Signing Three-Year Extension
LeBron James

Accepts Player Option
Anfernee Simons

"a Possible Re-Trade Candidate"
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Yordan Alvarez

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Porter Jr. Declining Player Option
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Quinn Priester

Fans 11 in One-Hit Gem
Toronto Raptors

Garrett Temple Returning to Toronto
Spencer Schwellenbach

Dominant in Victory
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Out of Lineup Saturday
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Garrett Mitchell

to Undergo Shoulder Surgery
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez in Guardians Lineup on Saturday
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Ty Dillon

Could Benefit from Kaulig Speed
Chase Burns

Slated to Make Next Start on Monday
Dylan Sampson

Being Used as a Receiver
Carson Schwesinger

Figures to be in Full-Time Role in 2025
Cedric Tillman

Should Have Full-Time Role
Bryce Young

Looking More Comfortable, Showing More Intensity
Charlie Coyle

Blue Jackets Acquire Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood From Colorado
Jack Quinn

Signs Up for Two More Years with Sabres
Brandon Saad

Stays in Vegas on One-Year Deal
Trent Frederic

Inks Eight-Year Extension
Josh Naylor

Exits Friday's Contest Early with Neck Stiffness
Emil Heineman

Shipped to the Islanders
Noah Dobson

Traded to Montreal
John Tavares

Agrees to Four-Year Extension with Maple Leafs
Sam Bennett

Signs Eight-Year Extension with Panthers
NYI

Islanders Select Matthew Schaefer With No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft
José Berríos

Jose Berrios Tosses Seven Scoreless Innings in Fourth Win
Aaron Rodgers

Roman Wilson Could Fit Nicely With Aaron Rodgers
Josh Simmons

on Schedule to Open the Year as a Starter
Micah Parsons

Contract Length an Issue for Cowboys, Micah Parsons
Denver Broncos

Broncos Unsure How Their Running Back Room Will Look
Russell Wilson

Not the Only Leader in Giants Clubhouse
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
Daniil Tarasov

Panthers Bring in Daniil Tarasov
Frederick Gaudreau

Kraken Pick Up Frederick Gaudreau From Wild
Michael Thorbjornsen

Returns in Detroit at Rocket Classic
Adam Hadwin

Could Struggle Over the Weekend in Detroit
Cam Davis

Hopes Detroit Magic Can Spark Turnaround
Matt Wallace

a Boom-or-Bust Option at Rocket Classic
Joel Dahmen

Not Cutting it Lately
Michael Kim

Searching for Spark at Rocket Classic
Rasmus Hojgaard

a High-Ceiling Play in Rocket Classic
Matt McCarty

a Wild Card Heading into Detroit
Emiliano Grillo

Rolling into the Summer Season
Rickie Fowler

Looking for More Magic at Rocket Classic
Wyndham Clark

Brings High Upside to Detroit Golf Club
Max Greyserman

Could Make Noise at Rocket Classic
Akshay Bhatia

a Strong Value Play at Rocket Classic
Eric Cole

Hoping for Better Times at Rocket Classic
Beau Hossler

Searching for Form at Rocket Classic
PGA

Byeong Hun An in Good Form Heading into Rocket Classic
Cameron Young

Looking For Redemption and Possible First Career Victory in Detroit
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF