In the ever‑evolving world of fantasy football, tight ends are increasingly becoming focal points of offensive schemes, and the latest rankings suggest a handful of players are poised to break out of the traditional TE2 tier.
Why the TE Landscape Is Shifting
Four names dominate the conversation: Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely, and Chig Okonkwo. Each enters the 2024 season with a clear path to increased targets, making them prime candidates for a top‑five finish.
Andrews, a two‑time top‑five finisher, now benefits from the departure of Isaiah Likely, opening up additional red‑zone opportunities. His consistent production and high route efficiency suggest he could easily climb back into the elite tier.
Goedert’s situation also looks promising. With A.J. Brown no longer on the roster, the veteran tight end is expected to see a larger share of targets, a trend that could translate into a higher target share and more scoring chances.
Mark Andrews: The Proven Workhorse
Beyond his durability, Andrews ranked ninth in red‑zone targets and seventh in fantasy points per route run among tight ends who logged at least 200 routes last season. Those metrics underscore his ability to convert opportunities into points, a skill that should keep him near the top of draft boards.
His trajectory is further supported by a strong finish to the previous campaign, where he posted a top‑ten finish in fantasy points per route run, indicating that his workload is likely to remain high.
Dallas Goedert’s New Opportunity
The departure of Brown reshapes the Eagles’ receiving corps, and Goedert is positioned to inherit a larger slice of the target pie. Last season he posted an 18.4% target share, ranking eighth among tight ends, and his red‑zone presence was tied for seventh, suggesting a natural progression toward more frequent scoring chances.
Isaiah Likely’s Potential in New York
Now with the Giants, Likely could see a significant role if the team’s top receiver, Malik Nabers, is limited by injury. His 2024 statistics already place him eighth in yards per route run and seventh in first downs per route run, highlighting a skill set that thrives on efficient route execution.
Chig Okonkwo and the Commanders’ Outlook
Okonkwo enters Washington with a realistic path to becoming the second‑most targeted tight end in the offense. In the final five games of last season he ranked first in targets per route run and yards after catch per reception, numbers that point to a breakout potential if given consistent playing time.
The broader implication for fantasy managers is clear: targeting these four players could yield a disproportionate return on investment. Their combinations of route efficiency, red‑zone involvement, and expanding target shares make them compelling selections in the middle to late rounds of drafts.