Sleeper Tight Ends To Draft

jake fergusen

Jake FergusonDALLAS COWBOYS • TE

After a frustrating 2024 campaign, Jake Ferguson should be on fantasy managers’ rebound radar. His struggles were tied more to circumstances than performance, as Dallas lost Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury, which derailed the passing game.

Before Prescott went down, Ferguson was trending as a reliable fantasy starter. Over the first eight games, he recorded 42 receptions for 358 yards. Extrapolated across a full season, that pace would have produced nearly 90 catches and over 750 yards. The lack of touchdowns last year also seems like an anomaly given his track record—he scored five times in 2023 as the starter and added three more in the postseason.

With Prescott healthy and the Cowboys’ offense expected to be aggressive through the air, Ferguson is well-positioned to bounce back. He won’t be the first option in the passing game with CeeDee Lamb and newcomer George Pickens drawing coverage, but that may work in his favor by opening space. Drafted as a mid-range TE2, Ferguson has the potential to sneak into top-10 territory at the position.

colsten loveland

Colston LovelandCHI • TE

Fantasy managers used to avoid rookie tight ends, but recent seasons have flipped that narrative. After Sam LaPorta broke out in 2023 and Brock Bowers followed suit in 2024, Colston Loveland has a chance to extend that trend.

The Bears invested heavily in him with the No. 10 overall pick, and he’ll be working under new head coach Ben Johnson, the same offensive mind who helped unlock LaPorta in Detroit. Loveland brings size, athleticism, and polish to the position, giving him immediate upside in both real football and fantasy.

Still, expectations should be balanced. Chicago’s offense is crowded with playmakers at wide receiver, and second-year quarterback Caleb Williams is still finding consistency. Loveland profiles best as a late-round sleeper with breakout potential, but reaching too early in drafts could carry risk.

brenton strange

Brenton StrangeJAX • TE

For managers who prefer to wait until the later rounds to grab a tight end, Brenton Strange is a name worth circling. The 2023 second-round pick made the most of limited opportunities last year, catching 40 passes for 411 yards and two touchdowns on 53 targets. In the games where his workload increased, his production followed suit, averaging over five catches and 50 yards when given consistent looks.

Now, Strange steps into a starting role after Evan Engram’s departure to Denver. That promotion should come with a noticeable bump in volume, putting him in position to rise into the TE1 conversation.

Scouting reports out of Penn State praised Strange’s athleticism, after-the-catch ability, and blocking, traits that should keep him on the field in a variety of situations. With a bigger role and more opportunities, he has the tools to outperform his current draft slot as a late-round flier.