Top 2024 Pre-Draft Rookie Tight Ends

With the NFL draft weeks away, we will be discussing the top rookie Tight Ends that could make a difference for your fantasy team. Who is your top tight end this upcoming draft?

With one tight end coming into the 2024 draft as the clear number one, I will discuss some other tight ends that could have some surprising value for your dynasty team. With more and more tight end premium scoring becoming popular, the position has seen the value increase where naturally rookie tight ends get drafted later in rookie drafts.

Take a look at our recent Rookie Ranking Articles:

Who Are The Top Rookie Prospects For The Incoming NFL Draft:
[QB] [RB] [WR] [TE] [DT] [EDGE] [LB] [CB] [S]

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Brock Bowers - Georgia

Measurables (Combine):

Height: 6'3 ⅛"
Weight: 243lbs
Arm Length: 32 ¾"
Hand Size: 9 ¾"
40-yard Dash/ 10-yard Split: 4.48/DNP
Jumps (Vert/Broad): NA
Agility (Shuttle/3-Cone): NA

Strengths:

Great size and athleticism
Led tight ends in YAC in college
Great point of contact in jump ball situations
Great body control and catch radius

Weaknesses:

Block consistency
Route tree not fully used
Could be less effective against more physical linebackers

Team Fits:

Cincinnati Bengals
Indianapolis Colts
Los Angeles Chargers
New York Jets

Fantasy Analysis:

Bowers comes into 2024 as a premier tight end that can have an instant impact for any NFL team he joins as well as an instant impact for your fantasy team. He is moving up dynasty rankings behind others such as Sam LaPorta, Trey McBride, and T.J. Hockenson. Bowers ability to be a nightmare matchup allows him to see plenty of targets and have instant value whether you're in a PPR league or a Tight End Premium League.

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Ja'Tavion Sanders - Texas

Measurables (Combine):

Height: 6'3 7/8"
Weight: 245lbs
Arm Length: 32 7/8"
Hand Size: 10 1/8"
40-yard Dash/ 10-yard Split: 4.69/1.59
Jumps (Vert/Broad): 30"/ 9'5"
Agility (Shuttle/3-Cone): 4.32/DNP

Strengths:

Great high point receiving tight end
Strong downfield run blocker
Matchup nightmare against linebackers
Soft hands and not a typical body catcher

Weaknesses:

Struggles a bit in-line blocking
Needs to build some strength
Needs help on routes

Team Fits:

New York Giants
New England Patriots
Washington Commanders

Fantasy Analysis:

Depending on where Sanders lands will play a big factor for his fantasy value. If a tight-end needy team drafts him, Sander's value could be huge and thrown onto the field. Sanders needs help with blocking which could affect his playtime during his rookie season. His athleticism and receiving won't keep him off the field long. Like most typical tight ends, his value won't play a huge factor until season 2 and beyond. Think Jake Ferguson from Dallas.

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Ben Sinnott - Kansas State

Measurables (Combine):

Height: 6'4"
Weight: 250lbs
Arm Length: 32 3/8"
Hand Size: 9 ½"
40-yard Dash/ 10-yard Split: 4.68/1.59
Jumps (Vert/Broad): 40"/ 10' 5"
Agility (Shuttle/3-Cone): 4.23/6.82

Strengths:

Effective route runner with spatial awareness
Solid run blocker
Reliable hands (though had 14 drops)
Quick in small space

Weaknesses:

Athleticism doesn't translate well in-game
Lacks ability to separate from defenders
Can miss blocking assignments

Team Fits:

New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers
Los Angeles Rams

Fantasy Analysis:

Needs to improve on his run blocking to see more time on the field. Can be a liability but shows signs of run-blocking ability. Looks to be tight end two on most NFL teams and his value in dynasty would be in year 3 or more. Could be a fill-in for injuries and could have a few solid games in fantasy.

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Theo Johnson - Penn State

Measurables (Combine):

Height: 6'6"
Weight: 259lbs
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Size: 10 ¼"
40-yard Dash/ 10-yard Split: 4.57/1.55
Jumps (Vert/Broad): 39 ½"/ 10'4"
Agility (Shuttle/3-Cone): 4.19/7.15

Strengths:

Freakish athleticism
Great in-line blocker
Wins most one on one blocks
Red zone threat

Weaknesses:

Unreliable hands
Route running needs crispness
Doesn't play fast

Team Fits:

Tennessee Titans
Seattle Seahawks
Carolina Panthers

Fantasy Analysis:

Will have higher success in the NFL as a run blocker than he will have value in fantasy. His route running and ability to catch the ball consistently needs to improve before he has value. Landing spot could help but a rookie draft pick on Theo could be a waste unless it's a deep league.

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Jaheim Bell - Florida State

Measurables (Combine):

Height: 6'2"
Weight: 241lbs
Arm Length: 33"
Hand Size: 10"
40-yard Dash/ 10-yard Split: 4.61/1.58
Jumps (Vert/Broad): 35"/ 10'3"
Agility (Shuttle/3-Cone): NA/NA

Strengths:

Remarkable open-field speed, ability to out-run defenders
Shows great agility for his size
Great at adjusting for the ball
Spatial awareness and catch radius

Weaknesses:

Lacks typical Tight End size
Blocking is a concern, gets overpowered at the point of attack
Liability in the run game due to blocking concerns

Team Fits:

Los Angeles Chargers
San Francisco 49ers
Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints

Fantasy Analysis:

Bell's value will be to land with a team that has an established tight end or a team that is pass-heavy. His size is a concern and could be a liability in run-heavy teams. Taking him off the field and not allowing him to show his YAC ability. Does show enough explosiveness that could help fill in for a game or two like a Tyler Conklin or Jelani Woods.

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Honorable Mentions:

Cade Stover - Ohio State
AJ Barner - Michigan
Dallin Holker - Colorado State
Erick All - Iowa
Tip Reiman - Illinois

And here is a list of the “honorable mentions” rookie Tight Ends! For a more detailed breakdown of these players (and over 100 more!), check out the IDP+ draft guide!

Thanks for reading my article on rookie Tight Ends! Follow me on Twitter at @AvgJoes_ff and the @IDP_Plus main account! For the best articles and fun IDP + offensive fantasy football banter, please consider becoming a subscriber!