X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Young Fantasy Football Tight Ends On The Rise: Brock Bowers, Tucker Kraft

Kevin Tompkins' Five Football League Winners

Kacey Kasem examines the rise of Brock Bowers and Tucker Kraft, two top-10 fantasy football tight ends after five weeks in 2024. Can they carry fantasy teams to titles?

This season, two rising stars in fantasy football are Brock Bowers and Tucker Kraft. Bowers is the TE1 in point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, while Kraft is not far behind at TE3. Both young tight ends have capitalized on their shots, quickly becoming trustworthy options for their teams.

But can they maintain their top-3 status for the entire season? I looked back at tight-end trends from 2016 to 2023 to see how many early season leaders managed to stay in the top three by the season's end. What was the biggest reason a player dropped out of the top spots?

So do Bowers and Kraft have the staying power? Find out as we examine these two youthful powerhouses. When you finish, visit the Week 6 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings for Half-PPR to keep your roster in tip-top shape.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers is quickly establishing himself as a standout tight end in the NFL. In Week 5 against the Denver Broncos, he set a season-high with 12 targets, securing eight catches for 97 yards.

The rookie's first NFL touchdown, a spectacular 57-yard reception, showcases the explosive talent that made him a first-round draft pick.

Bowers ranks as the TE1 for the season with impressive PPR scores of 11.80 in Week 1, 18.8 in Week 2, and an incredible 23.70 in Week 5.

This consistency and increasing role in the Las Vegas Raiders offense indicates that he is just getting started. The Georgia product is primed to be a fundamental asset for fantasy managers chasing championships as he continues to adjust to the NFL.

The Raiders have a strong history of effectively utilizing tight ends, giving Bowers an edge. Head coach Antonio Pierce has labeled him a "special player," a testament to how much the coaching staff values his contributions. The 21-year-old finds soft spots in defenses, making him a focal point in the passing game.

While the quarterback situation has been rocky, with Gardner Minshew II being benched last week in favor of Aidan O'Connell, Bowers has proven he can thrive regardless of who is under center.

Bowers' agility and sharp route running make him a reliable option despite uncertainty. Bowers stands out as a bright spot as the Raiders work through their quarterback challenges.

Looking ahead, the tight end's schedule features several favorable matchups. The SEC Freshman of the Year will face the Kansas City Chiefs twice and the Los Angeles Rams once, both of whom struggle against tight ends.

Bowers could see an uptick in targets with the potential of wide receiver Davante Adams being traded. If Adams departs, Bowers will likely emerge as the top offensive option.

The rookie's ability to make big plays makes him indispensable on any fantasy roster. With talent, opportunity, and strong coaching behind him, the Vegas tight end is set to remain a top-3 tight end.

 

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

An essential player for the Green Bay Packers is tight end Tucker Kraft. In the 24-19 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, he popped with four catches for 88 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by an impressive 66-yard score. The former third-round pick's capability to perform in clutch situations has made him an essential asset for the team.

Kraft's timing could not be better, as injuries have impacted the receiving corps. The South Dakota State product has stepped up with wide receiver Christian Watson sidelined and Romeo Doubs serving a one-game suspension.

Before the season, many expected tight end Luke Musgrave to be the focal point of the Packers offense. However, Kraft quickly established himself. He currently ranks fifth among tight ends with 218 receiving yards, showcasing his potential.

One of the tight end's standout qualities is his talent for gaining yards after the catch. Last year, he led all tight ends in this category, and this season, he tallied an impressive average of 13.6 yards per reception.

The faith of quarterback Jordan Love plays a crucial role in the 23-year-old's success. As Love develops confidence in him as a target, the young tight end will likely see increased opportunities.

With the Packers defense creating turnovers, Kraft reaps the rewards from improved field positions and scoring chances. Safety Xavier McKinney has been instrumental, racking up five interceptions this year.

Kraft's ability to find the end zone indicates his potential to make significant contributions as the season unfolds. As the Packers aim for more wins, Kraft is a player to have on your roster. He is rostered in 66% of Sleeper leagues, so there is a chance you can still pick him up.

With several favorable matchups ahead, he has the potential to finish among the top tight ends in fantasy football. Kraft could be the difference-maker for your fantasy team once the playoffs approach.

 

Will They Finish In The Top Three?

Bowers is TE1 through five games, and Kraft is TE3 in PPR leagues. When looking at tight-end trends from 2016 to 2023, the numbers show that at least six tight ends who started the season in the top 10 stayed in the top 10 by the season's end. Injury is the most significant reason for dropping out, and it has happened plenty of times.

Take Dallas Goedert, for example. In 2023, he started as TE8 through five weeks but concluded the year as TE14 after missing time. He was TE5 through Week 5 a year earlier and ended up TE12 for similar reasons.

Dawson Knox had a similar trajectory in 2021, falling from TE3 after five weeks to TE11 by the completion of the season. And let's not forget Jesse James, who teased managers by starting the first five weeks of 2016, 2017, and 2018 in the top 10, only to disappear later.

Bowers and Kraft have shown the consistency and playmaking skills needed to remain top-10 options throughout the year, even if they miss a game or two. The real question is whether they can maintain the level of production required to stay in the top three.

Looking back at last season, Sam LaPorta started as TE1 and finished there, showing that it is possible to sustain that early success. Travis Kelce was TE2 through the first five weeks and ended as TE3. T.J. Hockenson dropped out of the top three after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16.

Hockenson was TE4 by the end of the season, but if you remove Week 18, he ranks as TE3. This is worth noting since most fantasy football leagues do not play championship games in Week 18, making Hockenson’s performance suitable for a top tight end.

In 2017, Zach Ertz, Kelce, and Rob Gronkowski all started and finished the season as top-3 tight ends. This trend suggests that if a tight end is in the top three through the early weeks, they often stay there.

In fact, from 2016 to 2023, no season saw all three top tight ends from the first five weeks fall out of the top three by the season’s end. Most players did not fall far, even when injuries or performance drops emerged.

For instance, Evan Engram was TE3 through five weeks in 2019 but finished as TE18 due to injury. However, in 2018, Eric Ebron was TE3 early on and only dropped to TE4. Similarly, Dalton Schultz was TE4 through five weeks in 2021 but moved up to TE3 by the end.

If history is any indicator, at least one of Bowers or Kraft will remain a top-3 option. Even if one falls out of the top 3, the drop might not be significant. Those rostering either player, especially in a format that avoids Week 18 games, should feel confident in their ability to help push for a championship.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Joe Burrow

Ruled Out for Remainder of Week 2
Joe Burrow

Questionable to Return in Week 2 with Toe Injury
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
Joe Burrow

Leaves Week 2 Game with Apparent Leg Injury
Quinshon Judkins

to Start in NFL Debut
A.J. Brown

Eagles Plan to Get A.J. Brown More Involved
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Jaydon Blue

Remains Healthy Scratch for Week 2
Wan'Dale Robinson

Active for Week 2 Against Cowboys
Quinshon Judkins

Will See 10-15 Snaps in Debut
Jauan Jennings

Suiting Up Against Saints in Week 2
Xavier Worthy

Hopes to Return in Week 3
Lamar Jackson

Shedeur Sanders Didn't Want to Play Behind Lamar Jackson, Nixed Ravens Pick
Davante Adams

Rams Want to Get Davante Adams More Involved in Week 2
Jayden Reed

Given 6-8 Week Timetable
Jauan Jennings

Expected to Play in Week 2
Brock Purdy

49ers Not Optimistic Brock Purdy Will Play in Week 3
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Quinshon Judkins

to Have "Snaps Closely Monitored" Versus Baltimore
Jauan Jennings

a "Game-Time" Decision for Week 2, Optimism That he'll Play
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Russell Wilson

Giants Have No Urgency to Bench Russell Wilson
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Brock Bowers

Officially Questionable for Monday Night
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Christian Kirk

Ruled Out for Week 2
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Brock Bowers

Expected to Play on Monday Night
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
Ryan Preece

Seems Slower on Concrete Than on Asphalt
NASCAR

Legacy Motor Club's Short-Track Speed Will Likely Hold John H. Nemechek Back
Erik Jones

Definitely Faster This Year, but Short Tracks Still a Liability
Daniel Suarez

Despite Poor Qualifying Run, Daniel Suarez Might Not Be a Great Choice
Noah Gragson

Unlikely to Be Fast at Bristol but Still Might Be Worth Considering for DFS
Tarik Skubal

Avoids Serious Injury, Expected to Make Next Start
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
Kyle Larson

Can Kyle Larson Dominate at Bristol Again?
Denny Hamlin

One of the Best at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

All Eyes on Ryan Blaney at Bristol
Chase Briscoe

Whiffs in Qualifying, Will Start 31st in Bristol Night Race
Ty Gibbs

Could Contend at Bristol
Tanner Bibee

Fans 10 in Two-Hit Shutout
Zach Neto

Dealing With Wrist Soreness
Masyn Winn

Shut Down for Rest of Season
Tarik Skubal

to Undergo Imaging on Saturday
Tyler Soderstrom

Scratched on Friday With Groin Tightness
Tarik Skubal

Exits with Side Tightness
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
Ketel Marte

Scratched From Friday's Lineup
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Kyle Tucker

"Unlikely" to Return When Eligible on Tuesday
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Ketel Marte

Expected to Return on Friday
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Alexander Hernandez

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Quang Le

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Card Opener
Santiago Luna

Set For His Debut At Noche UFC 3
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Strikes Out 10 in Win
Aaron Judge

Matches Yankees Legend with Two-Homer Game
Anthony Volpe

Playing Through Partially Torn Labrum in his Shoulder
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
Charles Oliveira

Not Eyeing Retirement
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Questionable to Make Debut Against Georgia
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
NBA

Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury
Cameron Champ

the Ultimate Wild Card at Procore
Cameron Young

Looks to Extend Momentum in Napa
Davis Thompson

Searching for a Spark at Procore
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Reignite Form at Procore
Mackenzie Hughes

Aims for Another Strong Showing at Procore
Luke Clanton

Brings Ball-Striking Upside to Napa
Seamus Power

Looking to Overcome Poor Course History at Procore
Joe Highsmith

Hoping to Find Form in Napa
Kristaps Porzingis

Reportedly Still Not Completely Healthy
Kelly Oubre Jr.

Reportedly on the Trade Block
Andre Drummond

Future in Philadelphia in Doubt
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Helps Greece Reach Semis at EuroBasket
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Posts Historic Triple-Double
Joel Dahmen

Finishes Tied For 15 at Wyndham Championship
Bud Cauley

Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for Seventh at Tour Championship
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 25th at Tour Championship
Collin Morikawa

Finishes Tied for 19th at Tour Championship
Keith Mitchell

Misses Cut at Wyndham Championship
Ben Griffin

Finishes Tied for 10th at Tour Championship
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied for Second at Tour Championship
Gary Woodland

Could Hang Around at Procore Championship
Karl Vilips

Ready for Napa Valley This Weekend
Taylor Montgomery

Heating Up at the Right Time
Jackson Koivun

May Be a Little Rusty at Procore Championship
Doug Ghim

Looking to Rise Up at Napa Valley
Josh Giddey

Re-Signs With Bulls for Four Years
Shakir Mukhamadullin

Joins Informal Skate
William Eklund

Skates With Sharks
Owen Power

Back at 100 Percent
Tyler Seguin

Cleared for Action
Mathew Barzal

Good to Go for Season Opener
Dustin Wolf

Signs Seven-Year Extension
NBA

Mason Jones Takes His Talents to Australia
NBA

Talen Horton-Tucker Joins Reigning EuroLeague Champions
Malcolm Brogdon

on Knicks' Radar
Andrew Wiggins

Attracting Interest From Lakers
Miami Heat

Heat Interested in Reunion With Precious Achiuwa
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP