Fantasy Football 2023: Value TEs to Target in Late Rounds If You Miss on Travis Kelce

When it concerns tight ends for dream football in 2023, there’s Travis Kelce, and there’s everyone else.

After outscoring the whole position by more than 100 points last season, the Kansas City Chiefs star is the apparent leading option. Kelce is seldom the leading total area, as the finest running backs and broad receivers normally go ahead of him. And your first-round choice may be late enough that Kelce is off the board.

If so, it’s time for Plan B.

If you feel highly about Mark Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, George Kittle or Darren Waller, you might snag a tight end in the very first 5 rounds. Otherwise, it’s a matter of discovering the best mid-tier choice.

That’s our objective of the day, offering you with a handful of late-round possibilities to think about. Each gamer highlighted has a typical draft position (ADP) of 80 or later on, per FantasyPros

Note: Fantasy points show a point-per-reception (PPR) format.

ADP: 91

Mitch Trubisky began the Pittsburgh Steelers’ very first 4 video games in 2022, and Pat Freiermuth left the Week 5 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a concussion. He missed out on one video game while in the return-to-play procedure.

Beginning in Week 7, however, Freiermuth started to display an important connection with novice quarterback Kenny Pickett.

Freiermuth snagged 33 passes for 395 backyards and a goal throughout the next 7 contests– approximately 11.2 points per video game– prior to a concussion put Pickett on the sideline in Week 15.

Health is never ever an assurance, however Pickett and Freiermuth have actually flashed the capacity of being an efficient duo when they’re both on the field.

ADP: 134

Similar to Freiermuth, Cole Kmet established a great connection with Justin Fields in their 2nd year together on the Chicago Bears.

Kmet began the 2022 project gradually, for sure. Through 8 weeks, he summoned simply 14 receptions for 159 lawns and one goal– a middling 4.5 dream points per video game.

The remainder of the season, he drew in 36 passes for 385 backyards and 6 ratings. At that rate (123 per video game), Kmet totally should have a location in lineups.

Yes, prominent addition DJ Moore will command a great deal of targets. After Kmet completed the season on a tear and logged 94 percent of snaps general, his benefit is worth a shot in 2023.

ADP: 137

So numerous elements are operating in Chigoziem Okonkwo’s favor.

First of all, the Maryland item made a favorable impression as a novice. He tallied 32 receptions for 450 backyards– a significant 14.1 per catch– and 3 goals.

The most significant part is that Okonkwo just played 37 percent of snaps Not just did his efficiency need more chance, the Tennessee Titans didn’t re-sign Austin Hooper. It’s safe to state Trevon Wesco and Josh Whyle will not be changing all 525 of Hooper’s snaps.

Beyond that, the Titans’ getting corps is DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and a great deal of unpredictability.

Okonkwo has TE1 upside, yet in 10- group leagues he’s frequently offered in a double-digit round.

ADP: 140

Look, the Los Angeles Rams most likely will not compete for a playoff area in2023 While that’s not incredible news for their fans, it’s something that can end up being a benefit in dream football.

The factor is basic: Fourth-quarter deficits equivalent pass efforts.

In fairness, Tyler Higbee does not require garbage-time targets to produce at a strong level. He still gathered 72 captures for 620 lawns and 3 goals regardless of the Rams’ quarterback carousel last season, ending the year as the sixth-best tight end in dream with 152.0 points.

But those late-game minutes definitely will not harm, specifically if Matthew Stafford remains healthy in 2023.

ADP: 161

Juwan Johnson, a transformed pass receiver, had a mini-breakout season with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

While he captured a modest 42 passes, Johnson turned them into a reputable 508 lawns and 7 goals. He produced 134.8 dream points, which ranked 15 th at the position.

And that all occurred with New Orleans shuffling in between Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston and periodically Taysom Hill at quarterback. This season, the Saints are prepared to lean exclusively on Derek Carr.

Between the stability Carr brings and Johnson’s constant function, the fourth-year tight end is an enticing late-round alternative.