At long last, Spring is finally in the air. With the long winter, the NFL Combine and the frenzy of activity stemming from the onset of free agency in the rear-view mirror, it is finally draft season. With 2 weeks until Commissioner Roger Goddell walks to the podium (under a chorus of boos) to announce the first selection, this is the time of year that Dynasty Managers need to be in full blown scouting mode.
Some Context:
- Tiers are based on a combination of players’ athletic profiles and college production.
- Projected dynasty rookie draft ranges assume a 12 team 1QB format.
- Player comps are not a projection of future fantasy production, but rather a comparison to an NFL player with a similar skillset.
Tier 1
Michael Mayer – Notre Dame
An ideal combination of size, strength, blocking ability and college production, Mayer is the most complete TE in the 2023 class. The former basketball player (always a good thing at the TE position) should make for a well-balanced pro that finds himself on the field in every situation. As we know, rookie tight ends take time to develop, but given his blocking pedigree, Mayer should find himself getting plenty of run as a rookie. When it comes to catching the football, he showed an ability to play bully ball in contested catch situations and was able to find soft spots in zone coverage with ease. As his 114/1,649/16 receiving line over the past 2 seasons would indicate, Mayer should be able to contribute in just about any NFL offense he ends up in. What is so endearing about Mayer is his perceived high floor at a position that can get ugly quickly. However, there are questions as to if he has the upside to ever be a top 5 TE for fantasy purposes. His questionable ability to separate against NFL defenders and his blocking rate could end up putting a cap on his ceiling. Regardless, he should be a first-round selection in the NFL draft, which would make him a late 1st round pick in dynasty drafts.
NFL Comp – Jason Witten
Dalton Kincaid – Utah
Another former star on the hardwood, Kincaid played just one season of football in high school, but his athleticism and production lands him in tier 1 in this class. The Utah product enjoyed the best season of his college career in 2022, posting a 70/890/8 receiving line for the PAC-12 Champion Utes. More of a move tight end, Kincaid will very much be a pass first player in the NFL. Where Mayer may struggle to get off the line, Kincaid’s game contains strong initial burst at the snap, and his footwork downfield allows him to create separation downfield. In addition to getting open, his hands remain reliable in contested catch situations as well. While his ceiling is undoubtedly high, his lack of run blocking ability could very well keep him off the field at times as a pro. If he can develop into even a serviceable blocker, the sky is the limit for his fantasy football upside. A likely day 1 selection, he will likely be a late 1st round pick in dynasty.
NFL Comp – Zach Ertz
Tier 2
Darnell Washington – Georgia
To say that Washington looks the part of an NFL tight end would be a massive understatement. 6’7” 264lbs, he is a mountain of a man that ran a 4.64 40-yard dash. At that size, running in the 4.6’s is absolutely moving! A traditional in-line tight end, Washington will be a mauler at the next level, who makes a living moving other large human beings out of the way to carve our space for running backs to pick up yards on the ground. That is just the type of skillset that will see him on the field in most formations. As for catching the ball, he brings a large frame for QBs to throw the ball to and should be a mismatch against linebackers in space and against defensive backs in the red area. Accumulating just 45/774/3 in three seasons at Georgia, he was hidden in the shadow of 2024 draft darling, Brock Bowers. The fear with Washington is that he gets pigeonholed as a blocking TE, which would do very little for fantasy managers in the long run. There are rumors circulating that he could be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, but fantasy managers are probably best holding off until the middle of round 2 to take a shot on Washington.
NFL Comp – Darren Fells
Tier 3
Luke Musgrave – Oregon State
Known more for his physical tools than his college production, Musgrave is a project TE that could pan out in the right offense. Injuries limited the former Beaver to just 2 games played in 2022 and he only registered 2 TDs in his 4-year college career. His 4.61 40-yard dash and 10’5” broad jump at the Combine were a sign of raw athleticism the 6’6” 253lb tight end possesses that NFL scouts no doubt took note of. The measurables look good, but it is hard to ignore the lack of statistical production for a 4-year college player. Musgrave, in all likelihood, will be a day 2 selection that is probably best served being used in conjunction with another TE. Musgrave has the ability to help an NFL team, but it’s hard to see a clear path for him to being a big-time fantasy contributor. Look for him to be selected in the late 2nd round of dynasty drafts.
NFL Comp – Dallas Goedert
Sam LaPorta – Iowa
Hailing from “Tight End U,” LaPorta is looking to be the next in a line of former Hawkeyes to carve out a role in the NFL. Giving Iowa 2 productive seasons, LaPorta posted a 111/1,327/4 in 2021 and 2022. Coming in at 6’3” 245lbs, running a 4.59 40-yard dash and a 35” vertical jump and a 10’3” broad jump, LaPorta appears to have the physical ability to play TE at the next level. A look at his tape shows him to be below average in contested catch situations and inconsistent as a blocker. If LaPorta hits his ceiling, he will certainly help an NFL offense, but it’s probably best to temper expectations for fantasy purposes. Don’t take him until the 3rd round of rookie drafts this Spring.
NFL Comp – Hayden Hurst
Tucker Kraft – South Dakota State
Another athletic, big-bodied target, Kraft ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at 6’5” 254 lbs. A highly productive 2021 saw him grab 35 balls for 773 yards and 6 TDs for the FCS level Jack Rabbits. It can be difficult to trust small school prospects, but Kraft brings a big frame and an ability to make plays happen in space after the catch. A willing blocker, Kraft is not a finished product in this department, but has all the tools to be serviceable as a pro. Likely to run in conjunction with another TE in 12 personnel sets, Kraft figures to be a 3rd or 4th round prospect in the NFL Draft. Dynasty managers who don’t mind a project at TE should be looking to grab him in the 3rd round of dynasty drafts.
NFL Comp – Pat Freiermuth
Zack Kuntz – Old Dominion
A Combine warrior, Kuntz impressed running a 4.55 40-yard dash with a 40” vertical jump and a 10’8” broad jump. A former track star who specialized in high jump and hurdles, it was expected that he would test well, and he did not disappoint. While injury limited Kuntz to just 5 games in 2022, he recorded a 73/692/5 line in 2021. While the productive campaign demonstrated his abilities, his entire 5-year college career saw him appear in just 21 total games. A bit of a clunky route runner, his athleticism largely does not translate over to the football field, at least at the college level. A likely day 3 selection, look at Kuntz as a late 3rd round lottery ticket in dynasty drafts if you have the roster size and patience to see if he pans out.
NFL Comp – Mike Gesicki
