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Should you draft Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, or George Kittle in 2025 fantasy football drafts? Brandon's ADP Duel and pick recommendations for which tight end to draft.
In the world of fantasy football, where every draft decision can pivot your season’s success, mastering Average Draft Position (ADP) is an essential skill, especially when targeting the top tier of tight ends poised to shine in 2025. The focus turns to Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and George Kittle -- three players who have been at the center of a heated debate on when is the right time to pull the trigger in selecting your tight end, marking them as the premier options at a position often fraught with inconsistency. This article, ADP Duel, explores the strategic art of navigating these tight-end titans, delving into the subtle differences and shared strengths that define their appeal. As the fantasy season nears, understanding their ADP positioning could be the key to building a roster that stands out from the pack.
Each player brings a unique flavor to the table, yet their similarities in reliability and impact make them a compelling trio to consider. Bowers, a youthful phenom, offers a dynamic presence with the potential to redefine the position, while McBride’s consistent involvement in his offense hints at untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. Kittle, the seasoned veteran, combines physicality with proven playmaking ability, thriving even in a crowded lineup. These nuances -- Bowers’ emerging star power, McBride’s steady target share, and Kittle’s experience -- along with their shared ability to deliver week-winning performances, position this elite tier as a potential game-changer, capable of elevating your roster to new heights or leaving you vulnerable if miscalculated.
ADP Duel will examine why these elite tight ends could make or break your 2025 campaign, highlighting their potential to outshine the position’s mid-tier options and the risks of waiting too long as depth diminishes. With Bowers navigating a shifting offensive scheme, McBride relying on his team’s evolving attack, and Kittle facing the challenges of age and injury history, their ADPs reflect both opportunity and uncertainty. I’ll provide insights into their 2025 outlooks and ADP trends to help you decide whether snagging one early secures a league-winning edge or if patience might yield a smarter play. By the end, you’ll have a clear strategy to master this ADP duel and set your fantasy roster up for triumph in the ever-present search for a fantasy championship.
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Brock Bowers - TE, Las Vegas Raiders
ADP: TE1, 18th Overall
Bowers, the Las Vegas Raiders’ second-year sensation turned tight-end prodigy, could be a fantasy football steal at his current ADP. He is hovering around the 16th to 20th pick (TE1 range) in 2025 drafts, offering a blend of youthful explosiveness that’s like discovering a unicorn in a herd of donkeys.
In his 2024 debut season, he shattered the rookie tight-end record with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 15.5 PPR points per game -- outpacing even Travis Kelce’s rookie output at the same age.
His 27% target-per-route-run rate and 2.11 yards per route run showcased his dominance, with standout performances like his 10-catch, 140-yard day against the Chiefs, turning defenders into bewildered speed bumps.
With the Raiders possibly shifting to a run-heavy scheme under new coach Pete Carroll and rookie Ashton Jeanty, Bowers’ role as a safety valve for new quarterback Geno Smith could see him hit over 120 targets again, making his early ADP feel like snagging a gourmet buffet at a fast-food price. That's a ridiculous value for a 22-year-old phenom.
Sure, some might worry about his five TDs in 2024 or the run-first offense diluting his red-zone looks, but dismissing Bowers is like skipping dessert because you’re “watching your figure”-- pure nonsense!
His 2024 fantasy playoff run (12.6 PPR points per game over the final four weeks) could cause fantasy managers some slight concern (with a slight dip in efficiency), but with no other true receiving threat present currently, his 23.6% target share could balloon to elite levels, especially against softer defenses like the Chiefs.
Compared to McBride, who’s stuck with Kyler Murray’s inconsistent passing, or Kittle, who’s 31 and battling injury risks, Bowers’ youth and 86.3% snap rate (fourth highest among TEs in 2024) give him a higher ceiling -- think his 23.7-point explosion against Denver in Week 5.
At this ADP, drafting him is like betting on a rookie who’s already bench pressing the league -- laugh at the skeptics, grab this tight-end unicorn, and watch him gallop to your fantasy championship!
Trey McBride - TE, Arizona Cardinals
ADP: TE2, 26th Overall
McBride of the Arizona Cardinals is a fantasy football gem at his current ADP, sitting around the 26th overall pick (TE2 range) in 2025 drafts, offering a mix of reliability and upside that’s like stumbling upon a hidden taco stand in a sea of soggy sandwiches.
In 2024, he hauled in 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 15.6 PPR points per game and finishing second at the position in targets (138) with a league-high 26.5% target share under Murray.
His breakout included a jaw-dropping 12-catch, 133-yard performance against the Seahawks in Week 12, turning him into a PPR machine that left defenders clutching air like confused magicians.
With Marvin Harrison Jr. drawing coverage and no other true threat seeing consistent involvement, McBride’s role as Murray’s security blanket could see him flirt with 130 targets in 2025. That makes his early third-round ADP feel like snagging a prime rib at a potluck -- undervalued and ready to feast, especially with a Cardinals offense projected to lean pass-heavy.
Some might raise an eyebrow at his measly two TDs in 2024 or question Murray’s turnover-prone ways, but passing on McBride is like skipping dessert because the spoon’s too small -- utter silliness!
His 2024 consistency (at least 10 targets in seven games) and fantasy playoff surge (19 PPR points per game over the final six weeks) suggest touchdown progression is coming, potentially pushing him to eight or more scores with better red-zone luck.
Compared to Bowers, who faces a run-heavy Raiders shift, or Kittle, who’s 31 and missed 16 games in five years, McBride’s 25-year-old frame and 90.7% snap rate offer a safer floor -- witness his 30.3-point outing against the Rams in the fantasy football championship in Week 17.
With a 2025 schedule featuring soft matchups like the Falcons and Bengals, drafting him at this ADP is like betting on a tight end who’s already mastered the playbook -- chuckle at the doubters, grab this Arizona ace, and watch him tight end your way to a fantasy title!
George Kittle - TE, San Francisco 49ers
ADP: TE3, 44th Overall
Kittle, the San Francisco 49ers’ bearded battering ram, is a fantasy football steal at his current ADP. He is hovering around the 44th overall pick (TE3 range) in 2025 drafts, delivering a mix of toughness and talent that’s like finding a vintage wine in a cooler full of lukewarm beer.
In 2024, he reeled in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 15.8 PPR points per game and had a standout six-catch, 128-yard, one-TD explosion against the Cowboys that had defenders looking like they’d been tackled by a grizzly bear.
Despite a crowded offense, his 6.1 targets per game and 29.3% red-zone target share showcased his knack for finding paydirt, while his 2023 season (65 catches, 1,020 yards, six TDs) proved his consistency even at 29.
With Brock Purdy slinging and a retooled receiving corps, including ailing Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and second-year WR Ricky Pearsall, Kittle’s late-fourth-round ADP feels like snagging a championship belt at a flea market -- undervalued for a tight end who can still bulldoze his way to glory.
Sure, his injury history -- 16 missed games over five years -- might make some managers more jittery than a cat in a room full of mouse traps, but Kittle’s 2024 durability (15 games played) and fantasy playoff prowess (16 PPR points per game) show he’s tougher than a two-dollar steak.
Compared to Bowers, who’s navigating a run-heavy Raiders shift, or McBride, who’s stuck with Murray’s inconsistency, Kittle’s veteran savvy and the possibility of the 49ers being involved in more pass-happy game scripts give him a higher floor.
The 49ers’ 2025 schedule features winnable matchups against the Browns and Colts, and his blocking role ensures he stays on the field.
Drafting him at this ADP is like betting on a tight end who’s already won a Super Bowl ring -- laugh at the skeptics, grab this grizzled warrior, and watch him tight end your fantasy roster to victory!
Fantasy Football Verdict -- Bowers vs. McBride vs. Kittle
In this much-talked-about three-way ADP Duel, this decision has been causing strife.
Each tight end can present their case in different ways, as I laid out with the analytics above. However, what it boils down to is the perceived draft capital required to select each player.
In most of these ADP Duels, the players are virtually side-by-side in draft position, and we split hairs on which player presents the best value at that specific point in the draft.
That's the interesting thing about this specific ADP Duel. Each tight end is available in separate rounds, offering fantasy managers a chance to construct rosters in different ways.
But who is the pick, and how should you navigate that decision amid the draft? For me, based on the current markets, I am going with Kittle as the winner of this ADP Duel!
Although you can't go wrong with either of the three players discussed, Kittle presents an interesting and possible league-winning situation.
With the uncertainty surrounding the 49ers receiving corps and a large step back taken in terms of talent on the team's defensive side, Kittle could once again exceed 100+ targets for the first time since 2019 and leave him standing as the TE1 in fantasy points per game for 2025.
Draft Kittle in the fourth round of drafts and laugh all the way to the bank!
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