If you’ve been in the Dynasty community long enough, I’m sure you’ve heard people refer to the tight end position as a wasteland. Across nearly every fantasy football platform, the top tier of TEs consists of three names: Kyle Pitts, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews (in no particular order). Since the talent pool is so sparse at the position, these Tier 1 guys can provide a significant advantage for your roster every week and ultimately carry you to a league championship. But with this value comes a hefty price tag. If you’re unwilling or unable to give up the necessary pieces to acquire one of these three studs, where can we look for consistent production? 

I will provide six “buy-now” players in this article: two other possible league winners, two mid-tier value picks, and two sleepers. So check out my list below, and look to add one of these TEs to your Dynasty roster! These players could pay big dividends in the long run, and you won’t have to pay the massive premium you would for the Tier 1 guys. 

League Winners

T.J. Hockenson

Hockenson had an impressive 2022 campaign, finishing as the TE2 overall in PPR leagues. He averaged 5.1 receptions on 7.6 targets per game, exceeded 900 receiving yards, and tacked on six trips to the end zone. Certainly not in the same ballpark as Travis Kelce, but quality numbers nonetheless. T.J. also finished as a Top-5 TE in 2020; the only other season he suffered no injuries. And the man is only 25 years old. One could make the case that Hockenson belongs in Tier 1 as well. Currently, dynasty owners are drafting Hockenson in the 4th round of Superflex Tight End Premium startups around players like Cooper Kupp, Davante Adams, and Tua Tagovailoa. I’d be willing to pay that price for a guy with a TE1 overall ceiling for the next 5-7 years. If Hock can stay healthy, he’s an elite asset without question. 

Pat Freiermuth

The Penn State prospect has proven to be an integral part of this Pittsburgh Steelers offense through his first two seasons. Touchdowns took a dip in 2022, but this shouldn’t be a surprise considering the Steelers were dead last in passing touchdowns, totaling just 12 all season. Given the circumstances, we can see that Pat has been spectacular when we take a deeper dive into the numbers. 

Freiermuth ended the 2022 season with 63 receptions on 98 targets. While this doesn’t appear to be a remarkable jump from his 60 receptions on 79 targets as a rookie, he was, in fact, a much larger part of the offense in Year 2. He increased his team target percentage from 11.9% to 17.2% and improved his yards per catch (YPC) from 8.3 to 11.6. Pat posted numbers good enough for a TE8 overall finish in PPR leagues in one of the worst offenses in the NFL. This Steelers offense is young and should make significant improvements in 2023, and Pat’s numbers should follow suit. He is going near the end of the 6th round in Dynasty Startups. This draft value is excellent for a guy with unlimited upside and a high floor. 

Mid-tier Values

Dalton Schultz

Since finally getting his opportunity to play in 2020, Dalton Schultz has posted TE1 finishes for three consecutive years in PPR formats (12th, 3rd, and 11th overall). The five-year veteran recently signed a one-year deal with the Texans this offseason, which may have dropped his dynasty stock. But looking at their current roster, Schultz could be the top target for Houston in 2023. And they should be getting a quarterback upgrade with the #2 overall pick in the NFL draft. (Although I acknowledge it may take some time for them to acclimate.) Schultz signed a one-year contract, so we don’t know where he will play after 2023. But he’s proven enough over the past three seasons for us to have confidence in his fantasy production regardless of the landing spot. Dalton is going around the 8-9 turn of Dynasty Startups, near players like Mac Jones and Rachaad White. I’m comfortable grabbing Schultz in this range, as he is only 26 years old and has a Top-5 TE upside. 

Chigoziem Okonkwo

Those that read my previous article on the best mid-round value picks in Startup drafts know that Okonkwo is a great buy-low candidate. Chigoziem had a productive rookie season, compiling 450 yards and three TDs. His Dynasty value is around the 12-13 turn in startup drafts, near guys like James Conner, Desmond Ridder, and Chase Claypool. Therefore, you can likely go out and get him for a 2023 late 2nd-round pick, which is incredible value for a guy with TE1 upside. 

Okonkwo is currently the second option on this Tennessee offense after Treylon Burks. He’s undersized but makes up for this with his exceptional athleticism. If nothing else, the potential target share next season should make you very excited. The 23-year-old should make significant strides in Year 2.

Sleepers

Irv Smith Jr.

Smith signed with the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason after a disappointing season with the Vikings. He appeared in just eight games all year, going down in Week 8 for a high ankle sprain that sidelined him until Week 18. Irv lost his starting job when Minnesota traded for T.J. Hockenson, and his dynasty value subsequently dropped. Smith’s signing with Cincinnati is a chance at redemption for what has otherwise been an underwhelming NFL career for the Alabama standout. Smith went in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and many had high expectations for the New Orleans native, but the fantasy production hasn’t been there. His best finish was TE23 back in 2020. However, I still believe Smith is a quality fantasy asset. Similar to Okonkwo, Smith is an undersized but highly athletic tight end. He is likely the fourth option on this Bengals team (after Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd), but he is the clear TE1 on the team, with Hayden Hurst leaving for Carolina. And this high-powered offense can feed everyone, including Smith. I see Smith breaking out as a high-end TE2 in 2023 and soaring in dynasty value. Now is the time to buy while his stock is nearly zero. 

Darnell Washington

We saw little from Washington at the collegiate level as he played behind a generational talent in Brock Bowers. Washington finished his junior season with 28 receptions, 454 yards, and 2 TDs. These are not awe-inspiring numbers, but the film shows that this guy should excel at the NFL level. Whether that translates into fantasy production is yet to be determined. 

Washington had arguably the best NFL Combine of the tight end group, hitting the 80th percentile or higher in height, weight, wingspan, arm length, hand size, 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, shuttle run, and broad jump. In short, this man is a physical freak. He had one of the best catches we saw at the Combine this year, turning his body 180 degrees in mid-air, making a one-handed catch on the sideline while getting two feet down. Darnell is an excellent pass-blocker with soft hands and is tremendous in contested-catch situations. He will likely be a 1st-round draft pick as well. Washington could be a steal, especially if he falls to the late 2nd round of your rookie draft. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you got some valuable information you can use for your fantasy team! If you’d like additional insight into Dynasty Football news and analysis, please follow me on Twitter at @DynastySavant. Until next time, keep grinding out there, Dynasty family! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding