Tight ends absolutely exploded last season, reeling in an insane 231 touchdowns. That’s a number we haven’t seen from the position since way back in 2013, and it’s just one piece of a massive shift in how the league operates. Their collective target share hit a staggering 23.8%, the highest rate ever recorded. If you haven’t been paying attention, the tight end position isn’t just back, it’s taking over.
The New Era of Mismatches
This isn’t some fluke, folks. Offenses have wised up and are now rolling out multiple tight ends to counter how defenses are lining up safeties deep. Think about it: more tight ends means more blockers, making it easier to run the ball. But it’s more than that. These new-age tight ends are typically bigger and stronger than most safeties, and often faster than those linebackers trying to cover them. That’s a recipe for pure mismatch chaos, and offenses are cashing in big time. We’re seeing a steady stream of super athletic tight ends hitting the NFL, guys like Isaiah Likely and Chig Okonkwo, who are only just scratching the surface. But then you have the top tier, the Brock Bowers and Trey McBrides of the world, who are already showing what they can do. The talent pool is deeper than ever, and these guys are getting leaned on heavy.
Your Draft Strategy Just Changed
Because of this shift, fantasy managers are already willing to take serious shots on players like McBride and Bowers by the backend of Round 2 in drafts. Even Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren are getting snatched up by the end of Round 5, if not sooner. Most fantasy leagues only ask for one tight end, but while there are more than a dozen guys you could realistically start, only a few are truly difference-makers, the “cheat codes” that win you weeks. You’ve gotta hunt for a tight end who you believe can finish first or second on their own team in targets. We’re talking at least six targets per game here, anything less is just not gonna cut it for their numbers.
Consider this: only seven of the top twelve tight ends who played eight plus games last year actually averaged at least six targets. Just ten tight ends across the entire NFL hit that six-plus target mark. Guys like Dalton Schultz, Juwan Johnson, and Jake Ferguson (who was just 0.1 points per game behind Hunter Henry for 12th) still missed the top twelve even with decent volume. You want reliable? George Kittle has put up at least 10.7 half-PPR points for eight straight years, though his recent Achilles injury from January makes that streak a tough ask. McBride and Bowers, on the other hand, have each averaged at least 12 half-PPR points for two straight seasons. And the GOAT, Travis Kelce, has averaged at least nine half-PPR points for an unbelievable twelve straight years! This position is packed with talent, and between seven and nine of the top twelve tight ends from 2021 to 2024 were on playoff teams.
So, what’s the play? Your draft is coming fast, and ignoring the tight end position could be a huge mistake. Don’t be the one left scrambling for scraps, because the era of the dominant tight end is here to stay.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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