Fantasy Football Keepers, Sleepers, And Trade Targets: Tight Ends

Scott Engel takes an early offseason look at tight ends for the 2023 fantasy football offseason in keeper, dynasty, and seasonal formats.

As we are already peering ahead to next season, this fantasy football feature takes a look at the top positional players to hold onto in your keeper and dynasty leagues, while also recommending some trade targets in those types of formats. I also include tips from 2023 yearly league perspectives where applicable.

Yes, it is early in the 2023 fantasy football offseason, but dedicated fantasy leaguers are always staying busy with player plans for the next season. This is especially true in dynasty formats such as the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC), where you may have a dynasty team or can purchase an existing team and rework or rebuild it as a fun challenge.

In the keepers section, I highlight guys you may want to hold onto in keeper and dynasty leagues, as they could be headed for breakout or better campaigns in 2023, and can also exceed ADP expectations in yearly leagues. Sleepers are potential players to perform above expectations in all formats, and trade targets are good dynasty types to acquire. Free agency and player movement considerations are heavily taken into account where applicable.

Keepers

David Njoku: He has always lured fantasy players in because Njoku often flashes some intriguing fantasy potential. He has never fully delivered on the promise, though. Still, Njoku had a career-high 58 receptions in 2022, and he may be headed for his best season yet.

I am expecting Deshaun Watson to perform much better in 2023 with a full preseason and some 2022 action with the Browns behind him. A career year for Njoku is indeed likely, and he is at a point where he will break out now or it might never happen.

Greg Dulcich: We saw some glimpses of promise from Dulcich as a rookie, and he might be ready to become a more regular contributor in 2022 and beyond. Sean Payton is set to revamp the New Orleans passing game, and he has always made the tight end an important part of it.

Dulcich may not become the next Jimmy Graham, yet Russell Wilson could turn Dulcich into his favorite TE target since he played with Graham. Wilson has never consistently featured the TE in his career, yet Dulcich can change that trend with Payton calling the shots.

Cade Otton: In his rookie season, Otton was targeted five or more times in eight games. The Buccaneers have an uncertain QB situation heading into the 2023 season, but Otton appears to be in line to move into the featured TE role and occupy it for many years to come. He is a sharp route runner and Otton should become a dependable target for any QB that will run the Tampa Bay offense.

Buccaneers rookie Cade Otton doing his best Gronk impression with the stiff arm to pick up some major YAC yards.

The tight end out of Washington has quietly been really impressive as a rookie. pic.twitter.com/qOCrc4bbCU

— Seven Rounds in Heaven (@7RoundsInHeaven) December 18, 2022

Sleepers

Jake Ferguson: Dalton Schultz may sign elsewhere for the 2023 season, and Ferguson could be headed for a more significant role in the Dallas passing game. As a rookie, Ferguson was the second-highest-graded tight end by Pro Football Focus among last season’s rookies.

There is already conjecture among those who follow the team closely that Ferguson will be ticketed to step forward in 2023. The tight end has always been a frequent option for Dak Prescott and Ferguson can put himself on the fantasy map in 2023 if Dallas does not acquire a notable veteran to get in his way.

Jelani Woods: The Colts have been searching for stability at tight end for some time, and Woods may turn out to be the solution. He certainly provided some highlights in his first NFL campaign, including a two-TD outing and an eight-reception game in which he nearly hit the 100-yard mark.

If the Colts draft a rookie QB this year in the first round, the new passer will have the potential to start making Woods a frequent target in the next two seasons. He is a big receiver who may score a healthy amount of TDs if Woods develops a consistent connection with a quality QB.

Mike Gesicki: The Dolphins never seemed to get the maximum possible production from Gesicki and he dropped to 32 catches for 362 yards, his lowest totals since his rookie year. Gesicki will likely find a new home via free agency and a change to a team that features him more often might lead to a re-emergence. Gesicki is still a big, athletic target who can be a regular TD threat in the right situation.

Mike Gesicki is a freak 😳 pic.twitter.com/0TdAMQZ1iN

— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 7, 2021

Daniel Bellinger: He could be more of a longer-term play, yet Bellinger may eventually become a quality contributor to the Giants’ passing game. He is a solid pass-catching prospect who can make important and tough catches. Bellinger is worth stashing in dynasty leagues, as he may start to make his mark by the 2024 season.

Trade Targets

Kyle Pitts: He is coming off a tremendously disappointing season, so you at least have to take the temperature of the person in your dynasty league that currently rosters Pitts. There may be an opportunity to buy a bit lower on a still-promising 22-year-old. His 2022 output frustrated fantasy leaguers before his season ended due to knee surgery.

The Falcons’ quarterback outlook should be improved in 2023, whether that is through acquisition or progress from Desmond Ridder. This offseason may be the best time ever to acquire Pitts in dynasty formats.

Cole Kmet: The Bears need to obviously make some upgrades at wide receiver, and it is possible some fantasy players might expect a downturn in production from Kmet. More competition for receptions could lead to a perception that Kmet will not have a similar or better outlook in 2023.

Kmet was actually very unreliable last season and he still could be a primary target for Justin Fields even if the Bears add another notable WR. It is also possible that Kmet can still start to deliver better fantasy production, as he is on the verge of turning 24 years old.

Scott Engel's fantasy and betting analysis is also featured at The Game Day.

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