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Rookie tight ends have it tough as it is, so the only way they are going to post decent numbers that will help fantasy football managers is by being in great situations.
First-year tight ends usually struggle in their first year in the NFL, whether they are first-round picks or seventh-round picks. Look at last year. Chicago’s Cole Kmet was the highest-drafted tight end and gifted fantasy football managers a 28-243-2 line that won nobody a fantasy title. The sad thing is that no other rookie TE did better. Cleveland’s Harrison Bryant had a couple of good weeks and ended up with 24 catches for 238 yards and three touchdowns. No rookie tight end broke the 300-yard mark and Kmet and Bryant were the only two who had more than 200 yards on the season. And before you think 2019 was better for rookie tight ends, Denver’s Noah Fant was the most productive of the bunch and did not muster 600 yards.
There are some rookie tight ends in enviable fantasy situations heading into the 2021 campaign, however! Who are in the best situations to succeed and why?
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Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts is already thought of as a once-in-a-lifetime talent by many fantasy pundits and football experts. The wunderkind posted an astounding 43-770-12 line in only eight games with the Florida Gators last season. His 17.9 YPC shows he is a game-breaker at tight end, possessing playmaking skills wide receivers would dream to have. While most rookie tight ends are expected to have a steep learning curve when they enter the NFL, Pitts is one of the rare rookies at the position that no scouts seem to have any worries about when it comes to transitioning to the pro game.
Rumors abound that Atlanta will trade longtime stalwart Julio Jones before the season starts. Do not think that is bad for Pitts when it happens. It will bust open the door for Pitts to be Matt Ryan’s No. 2 target behind Calvin Ridley in an offense now under the control of new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. Smith loves running two-tight end sets and turned former Tennessee tight end Jonnu Smith into one of the more dangerous red-zone threats in the league --- and a multimillionaire (thanks to New England). Pitts has not even stepped on an NFL field and he is already arguably a top-10 fantasy tight end and has designs on breaking the top-five thanks to his worldly gifts and spot in Atlanta’s offense. 800 yards and six scores are not out of the realm of possibility for this phenom.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Getting drafted by the Steelers might look as exciting fantasy-wise for Freiermuth as a garden salad would for someone hoping for a strip steak for dinner. Pittsburgh’s top tight end, Eric Ebron, is coming off a solid season (56-558-5) and is signed for another couple of years. Pittsburgh’s pass-first offense also revolves around its terrific trio at wide receiver (Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and JuJu Smith-Schuster). Yet, there are reasons for fantasy footballers to be happy with where Freiermuth landed.
The Penn State product gets to stay in Pennsylvania and should be an immediate fan favorite due to his local college career and physical style. With veteran Vance McDonald retired, Freiermuth is one Eric Ebron strained hamstring away from being Ben Roethlisberger’s top tight end, and that could translate into touchdowns for him. Freiermuth scored 16 touchdowns in 29 college contests. Meanwhile, only one Steelers tight end since 2012 (Heath Miller) has scored more than five touchdowns in a season. Freiermuth might only be the fourth-best option in Pittsburgh’s passing attack if he becomes the No. 1 TE, but he could be the second or third-best option inside the red zone.
Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
Carolina is as desperate for a decent tight end as the My Pillow Guy is for people to listen to his conspiracy theories. Ian Thomas only managed 614 receiving yards over the course of three seasons, so the Panthers signed veteran plodder Dan Arnold to a two-year deal after he set modest career-highs across the board with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020 (31-438-4). Neither one will make Panthers fans or fantasy managers forget about the glory days when Greg Olsen was one of the most consistent and valuable tight ends in the NFL and fantasy football.
Tremble’s college numbers do not make him out to be a red-zone threat (zero touchdowns in 2020) or a big-play threat (11.5 career YPC), but do not let that fool you. Many scouts believe he has the physical frame and assets to become a solid pass catcher in the NFL, and his above-average blocking skills will keep him on the field for more plays than rookie tight ends who are liabilities in the run game. Do not draft Tremble thinking he is a dark horse to win 2021 Rookie of the Year, but if you are looking for a late-round flyer in a deep dynasty league, Tremble might be your man.
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