In fantasy football, there’s always one position that gives managers headaches year after year: the tight ends. Every draft season, tight ends fly off the board, and many of them fail to live up to their “must-draft” hype. Whether it's injury, inconsistency, or an offensive system that doesn't prioritize the position, the tight end landscape is often filled with more frustration than production.
That’s why more and more fantasy managers are adopting a strategy of drafting just one tight end, usually later in the draft, and focusing instead on securing elite talent at wide receivers and running backs early. The truth is, aside from one or two elite producers each season, tight end is a volatile position, and investing too much draft capital into it can backfire quickly.
Does 2025 Offer A Unique Opportunity?
In this article, I’ll highlight four tight ends that are must-draft players at their current Average Draft Position (ADP). All four of these tight ends have the potential to outperform their FantasyPros rankings and return massive value relative to where they’re being taken in drafts. These aren’t just good players, they’re smart investments who could help carry your fantasy team deep into the playoffs.
George Kittle (49ers)
ADP: 44 | TE: 3
George Kittle enters the 2025 season coming off a monster year, finishing as the TE1 overall in 2024. Despite this, he's currently being drafted in the mid-4th round, making him one of the most reliable mid-round steals at the position.
Kittle has now produced four top-five fantasy seasons since 2021, and with the current state of the 49ers’ wide receiver room, there’s every reason to believe another top-tier finish is on the horizon. Brandon Aiyuk has been streaky and injured, the rest of the wide receiver room can’t always stay healthy, and no other wideout has been established as a true WR1 threat. That opens the door for Kittle to be the clear-cut alpha in the passing game.
What also separates Kittle is his rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, who consistently looks his way on critical downs and in the red zone. When the game is on the line, it’s Kittle who steps up. He’s a cornerstone of the offense, a matchup nightmare, and, most importantly, a consistency machine at a position where that’s incredibly rare.
If you don’t want to wait too long at tight end but also don’t want to overpay, Kittle is the perfect middle ground, offering elite upside without burning a top-30 pick.
Sam LaPorta (Lions)
ADP: 63 | TE: 4
While some fantasy managers labeled Sam LaPorta’s 2024 season a disappointment, that’s more about inflated expectations than his actual production. LaPorta still finished as the TE6 overall, and a deeper look into his numbers shows there’s plenty of reason for optimism heading into 2025.
After the Lions' Week 5 bye, LaPorta averaged 12.2 fantasy points per game, which would have placed him squarely in the top-three tight ends over a full season. With that type of production and the talent to match, he’s primed for a major bounce-back, or perhaps, more accurately, a breakthrough.
Even with Ben Johnson leaving for a head coaching job with the Chicago Bears, LaPorta remains a focal point of the Lions’ offense. Jared Goff trusts him in high-leverage spots, and with defenses focusing on Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, LaPorta should have plenty of room to work the middle of the field.
Getting him in the fifth or sixth round feels like stealing. He has elite upside with a rock-solid floor, and he's one of the few tight ends you can truly set and forget for the entire season.
Mark Andrews (Ravens)
ADP: 98 | TE: 7
Mark Andrews might be the most overlooked tight end in 2025 fantasy drafts. Currently going in the ninth or even tenth round, Andrews has quietly been one of the most consistent fantasy producers at the position for the last half-decade. In 2024, he finished as the TE5 despite a chaotic season that included injuries and changing offensive dynamics in Baltimore.
Andrews remains Lamar Jackson’s most trusted target, especially in the red zone. Yes, Isaiah Likely is getting more involved, but Andrews has proven over and over again that he's the engine of the Ravens' passing attack.
This also might be Andrews’ final season in Baltimore, which means he’ll be motivated to prove he’s still one of the best in the league. His chemistry with Jackson, experience, and red zone presence make him a prime bounce-back candidate, and getting him as your TE1 in the double-digit rounds is a massive value.
If you're waiting on a tight end but still want a proven veteran with weekly upside, Andrews is your guy.
Jake Ferguson (Cowboys)
ADP: 139 | TE: 15
Jake Ferguson is the ultimate late-round tight end lottery ticket. In 2024, his numbers dipped due to injuries to both him and quarterback Dak Prescott, but don’t let that cloud your judgment. When healthy, Ferguson is a key part of this Dallas offense.
He has strong chemistry with Prescott, and he’s shown the ability to make plays in the red zone. In an offense that frequently finds itself in scoring position, Ferguson is in prime position to deliver multiple splash weeks with touchdown upside.
At ADP 139, you’re paying almost nothing for a player who has the potential to finish as a top-eight tight end. In deeper leagues or best-ball formats, he’s a must-draft. Even in redraft leagues, he’s an ideal backup or streamer with breakout potential.
Why Not Brock Bowers or Trey McBride?
Yes, Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are both talented, but their ADPs are way too high for my taste. Both are going in the second or third rounds, and that’s a huge investment for a position where consistency is rare. You’re passing on elite wide receiver or running back talent to gamble on tight ends who may not live up to the hype. It’s a risk I’m not taking.
Let’s address the elephants in the room: Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) and Trey McBride (Arizona Cardinals).
Both players are exciting talents. Bowers is a generational prospect and McBride took a massive leap in 2024. But their current ADPs, typically in the second or third rounds, are simply too rich for tight ends with questions.
At their current cost, you're bypassing elite wide receivers or running backs to gamble on tight ends in a historically inconsistent position. The opportunity cost is just too high.
Final Thoughts: Draft Strategy Takeaway
Waiting a few rounds to draft your tight end is not just safe, it's strategic. Instead of investing premium picks in volatile options, you can target value players like Kittle, LaPorta, Andrews, or Ferguson, and spend your early-round capital on wide receivers and running backs that will anchor your weekly lineups.
This approach gives you:
Tight end doesn’t have to be a headache — it can be your edge. So when draft day comes around, trust the board, be patient, and scoop up value at tight end when others overpay.
Your future fantasy championship will thank you.