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Sleeper tight ends and trade targets for 2025 dynasty fantasy football leagues. Dynasty fantasy football draft sleepers - Cole Kmet, Tucker Kraft, and more TEs.
Generally, when it comes to tight ends in fantasy football, there are two schools of thought. Take one of the elite options early in your draft or bypass the position and wait until the later rounds to take a few flyers. This is commonly referred to as the “great or late” approach.
Unfortunately, for dynasty fantasy football players, this is not always a viable strategy in established leagues. Things change fast in dynasty fantasy football, and if you don’t sufficiently address the tight-end position, you can find yourself with a gaping black hole in your lineup. If you fall into this category, do not fret. There are always potential breakouts to target in trades. Today, we will cover several sleeper tight ends who could emerge as more than weekly streamers in 2025.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five sleeper tight ends you should acquire in your dynasty fantasy football league.
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Chigoziem Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
Okonkwo was a popular sleeper pick two years ago, but he failed to deliver. Things looked the same for most of 2024, but he showed life to close the season. From Weeks 15-17, Okonkwo caught 22 passes for 182 yards on 28 targets. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, he posted a 30 percent targets per route run (TPRR), a 2.19 yards per route run (YPRR), and a 24.3 percent target share during that stretch.
Chig Okonkwo gets in open space for a 70-yard TD!
📺: #TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/98scOwfisp— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
It sounds like he has a realistic shot at retaining that kind of usage to begin the 2025 season. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has cited Okonkwo’s growth and hard work as the reasons for his increased role down the homestretch last year. Callahan has also praised him this offseason as well.
Okonkwo is likely another manager’s TE2 or TE3, so he shouldn’t be too difficult to pry away. KeepTradeCut estimates his current trade value is a 2025 third-round pick. That’s fairly cheap to take a shot on Okonkwo hitting his ceiling. Expect to pay a little more in tight-end premium formats, but gamers would be wise to get him on their rosters. The fourth-year tight end could be poised for a career year in 2025.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears
Coming off a breakout 2023 season, Kmet took a major step backward this past year. He regressed across the board and was forced to fend off an early season challenge from Gerald Everett as Chicago’s TE1. In Kmet’s defense, the Bears offense struggled mightily in 2024. Much of that can be blamed on former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron failing miserably as a play-caller.
Chicago has hired former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as the new head coach. His arrival is great news for the entire Bears offense. Sam LaPorta had two strong seasons playing in Johnson’s system, so it’s reasonable to expect Kmet to have a similar role for the Bears in 2025.
Keenan Allen is also set to hit free agency this offseason, and it’s unknown if Chicago will bring him back following his worst season since 2014. If Allen doesn’t return, that means more targets will go in Kmet’s direction.
Either way, Kmet should see a production bump in 2025 and is a great buy-low candidate at the tight-end position. With a little luck, he could produce another top-8 season similar to what we saw in 2023.
Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants
Johnson did not have an elite rookie season for the Giants last year. He only posted a 29-331-1 line on 43 targets. However, he did showcase some playmaking ability and exceeded a 71 percent snap share in every game he played before suffering a season-ending foot injury.
Daniel Jones to the rookie Theo Johnson for the TD!
📺: #WASvsNYG on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/sdIyUDY5hE— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
Seeing him on the field this much as a rookie is a good sign for his future. New York is going to address the quarterback position this offseason. So, Johnson will get an upgrade there as well.
The sophomore tight end has some sleeper appeal on the off chance Brian Daboll can turn this offense around with a new signal-caller. Johnson is a nice stash in the off chance he develops into a top-12 option at the position. However, he is a better player to target in tight-end premium formats.
Ben Sinnott, TE, Washington Commanders
Much like Theo Johnson above, Sinnott had a forgetful rookie season. The main appeal with Sinnott is that he could inherit Zach Ertz’s near 17 percent target share from 2024. Ertz is a free agent this offseason, and the team may opt to have Sinnott take over as the TE1.
Remember, the Commanders used a second-round pick on the former Kansas State Wildcat in the 2024 NFL Draft. There is still hope the team has plans for him down the road.
Ben Sinnott's first catch is a TD for the @Commanders!
📺: #CARvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/C1FxbBp23D— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
Sinnott could be on a similar path to that of Arizona tight end Trey McBride. He saw minimum involvement as a rookie (ironically, he also sat behind Ertz) before earning a bigger role as a sophomore. If that’s the case, then Sinnott could be a sneaky breakout candidate. Catching passes from Jayden Daniels also doesn’t hurt.
The sophomore tight end will need to survive free agency and the draft to fend off any potential challengers. However, there is a chance he will emerge as Washington’s No. 2 pass-catcher behind Terry McLaurin.
Regardless, Sinnott’s trade value is super low right now. He’s not a bad option if you have an older starter and are looking for a younger player to develop on your bench.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
Kraft enjoyed a fine sophomore season in 2024 as he posted a 50-707-7 line. It culminated with a PPR TE10 finish.
What a catch by Tucker Kraft for the TD!
📺: #HOUvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/5cpzRJLlEj— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
With fellow tight end Luke Musgrave injured for the majority of the year, Kraft flourished as the team’s TE1. He even continued to function as the lead tight end once Musgrave returned healthy. Following Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Matt LaFleur praised Kraft’s improvement and stated his desire to further incorporate him into Green Bay’s offense.
Tucker Kraft Could Have Bigger Role In 2025 https://t.co/gwfiVJgXzX
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) January 28, 2025
With the Packers lacking a true alpha WR1, they may choose to make Kraft a more prominent part of the passing game. That would be excellent news for his fantasy football value. Kraft is only RotoBaller’s 13th-ranked dynasty tight end, so there is a very real chance you can acquire him in a trade.
He could very well be another manager’s backup and might be easily acquired from owners who don’t stay current on the news during the offseason.
The third-year tight end is one of my favorite buy candidates this offseason, but savvy gamers should move quickly to acquire him. LaFleur’s comments will likely go viral as we get closer to the season and will drive up Kraft’s cost. He flashed upside last season and legitimately looks the part of a stud tight end. Acquire him now before the masses catch on.
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