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It was just one year ago that a deep tight end class was entering the 2023 NFL Draft. Dalton Kincaid was a first-round pick to the Buffalo Bills, while Sam LaPorta, Michael Mayer, Luke Musgrave, Luke Schoonmaker, and Brenton Strange all went in the second round. Even Tucker Kraft -- who had a respectable rookie campaign -- went in the early third round.
However, the 2024 tight end draft class won't be as deep. Only two tight ends (Brock Bowers and Ja'Tavion Sanders) are projected to go in the first two rounds. Bowers, though, might be the best tight end to come out of college in recent years, so a tight end-needy team could take a chance on him early in Round 1.
So, what are the best fantasy football landing spots for the top rookie tight ends? Let's dive in and take a look at several rookie tight ends who could produce in fantasy in Year 1 -- if they land in the right spot.
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Brock Bowers: Los Angeles Chargers
Bowers is easily the top tight end in this draft class and might be the best we have seen in a long time. He put together three great years in college, where he caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns. The Georgia product also produced right away as a freshman -- totaling 882 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns -- which shows just how talented he really is.
We can expect to see Bowers produce right away in the NFL as well, assuming he goes to the right spot. A team like the Los Angeles Chargers would be the perfect landing spot for the 21-year-old. The Chargers lost their top-three offensive weapons this offseason (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Gerald Everett), so adding the rookie to this offense would be huge for his fantasy value in 2024. We can potentially see a Sam LaPorta-type fantasy season if that happens.
Brock Bowers played 52.2% of his career snaps from the slot. He’s too fast for LBs, but at 6-3, 243 lbs. will obliterate DBs in the run game. Thus the defense is forced to pick its poison, making Bowers the ultimate mismatch whether run or pass. pic.twitter.com/9Qfzq1OBUw
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 30, 2024
Bowers to the Chargers at fifth overall might be a long shot, though, considering Malik Nabers might still be on the board. However, there's no doubt the team will try to add a playmaker for quarterback Justin Herbert with its first-round pick, so why not the Georgia tight end? If Los Angeles passes on him, the New York Jets would also be a nice landing spot at 10th overall.
Ja'Tavion Sanders: Cincinnati Bengals
In all likelihood, Ja'Tavion Sanders will be the second tight end off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite his underwhelming numbers compared to Bowers -- where he totaled just 99 catches for 1,295 yards and seven touchdowns -- Sanders has the tools to be a reliable tight end option in the passing game for many years.
His height and speed can give opposing defenses some problems as soon as his rookie year. Sanders stands at 6-foot-4 and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds at the NFL Combine. He also posted a 1.59-second 10-yard split, which gave him a 9.26 on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS).
Sanders is one of the top tight end prospects in the class, and he should be selected in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. With the Cincinnati Bengals desperately needing a tight end, the Texas product would be a nice fit there at pick 49. He could also find himself contributing in his first year with Joe Burrow under center, especially if the team trades away Tee Higgins. The rookie will have to beat out Mike Gesicki for the starting job, but as the season goes on, he should see more opportunities on an elite offense.
Cade Stover: Los Angeles Rams
After Bowers and Sanders, there isn't a definitive TE3 in this class. But Cade Stover could find himself as the third tight end selected in the 2024 NFL Draft -- going somewhere between the third and fourth round. Stover posted back-to-back solid seasons at Ohio State, totaling 36 catches for 406 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 and 41 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
After Brock Bowers & Ja’Tavion Sanders…
Who should be the next Tight End off the board? pic.twitter.com/KVZE9e5d8G
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 3, 2024
Stover could be a nice pick for Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams in the third round. With Tyler Higbee (knee) coming off a torn ACL and likely missing a large portion of the upcoming season, the Rams could select the Ohio State tight end with the 83rd overall pick. He could find himself as the starting tight end for Los Angeles in Week 1, which would certainly help his fantasy value right away.
Theo Johnson: Carolina Panthers
Theo Johnson was one of the biggest winners at the NFL Combine after testing extremely well. His vertical (39.5 inches), broad jump (10'05"), 40-yard dash (4.57 seconds), and shuttle (4.19 seconds) were all great numbers. Those scores helped him finish with a 9.99 RAS, which is the second-best score by a tight end since 1987. Only Zach Kuntz has a higher score (10), but he fell into the seventh round of last year's draft.
Unlike Kuntz, though, Johnson's 9.99 RAS will certainly help his draft stock. The 6-foot-6 tight end didn't really produce a whole lot in his four years at Penn State, totaling 77 catches for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, his athleticism could get him on the field immediately, especially if he lands with a team like the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are in need of a tight end, and they could decide to take a chance on Johnson in the fourth round (pick 101). The Penn State product could also be in line for a starter role after Hayden Hurst was released this offseson. He would just have to beat out Tommy Tremble or Ian Thomas for the starting job, which could happen given his upside and athleticism.
Ben Sinnott: New York Jets
The New York Jets could certainly use a tight end next year with Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) back under center. Right now, Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert occupy the top-two spots at that position. Nonetheless, look for the Jets to upgrade that room in the draft. If they don't get Bowers at 10th overall, Ben Sinnott could be a nice add for them instead.
After Brock Bowers & Ja’Tavion Sanders…
Who should be the next Tight End off the board? pic.twitter.com/KVZE9e5d8G
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 3, 2024
Sinnott is an interesting draft prospect because he has college experience as a fullback and tight end. In 2023 at Kansas State, he totaled 49 catches for 676 yards and six touchdowns. Most importantly, he's athletic and can do the dirty work in the run game.
The Jets have one third-round pick (pick 72) and two fourth-round picks (pick 111 and pick 134), so that could be the perfect spot for the 21-year-old. There's a chance he could go even earlier since his draft stock has risen. But, if the Jets can pick him up, he could see a significant role in Year 1 with Rodgers as his quarterback.
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