Fantasy managers are either haves or have-nots when it comes to tight ends. After the top guys, it’s mostly a dead zone of weekly streamers. The best tight ends are getting drafted earlier than ever. If you miss out on a top-flight option, a late-round tight end hit can become a significant earner for your fantasy team. Below are four late-round fantasy football draft tight ends, based on average draft position (ADP) that offer significant upside and have the chance to break out in 2024.

• 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit
• 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings
• 2024 Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
• Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator

Breakout Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely (TE – BAL)

Talent has never been a question with Isaiah Likely. It’s just a matter of getting on the field, which is hard when you play the same position as Mark Andrews. When Likely does see the field, he’s a top-10 tight end, hitting that mark four times in the last five weeks of the season. He also finished in the top 10 in all three games in which he played over 50% of snaps as a rookie.

Likely consistently makes stand-out plays, like when he skied over two Jaguars to catch a ball that traveled 35 yards in the air. Or the tough stiff arm against San Francisco. Or the one-handed grab and touchdown run against Miami. Or the contested catch and broken tackle leading to a touchdown against Pittsburgh. These plays took place over four straight games. He balls out every time he gets an opportunity. In 2023, he scored five touchdowns from 30 receptions (16.7% touchdown rate). He also finished with the second-best yards/reception (13.7) of tight ends with at least 30 receptions, trailing only George Kittle (15.7). His yards after catch (7.2) were fourth following the same criteria.

The Ravens reportedly will get Likely on the field alongside Andrews in 2024. It makes sense to have another tight end out there with the addition of Derrick Henry. It makes even more sense when you consider the Ravens’ other pass-catchers. Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews are amazing, but Nelson Agholor isn’t. Lamar Jackson doesn’t even know Rashod Bateman exists and Devontez Walker is destined for a limited role. Likely produces like a top player every time he gets the chance. I’m willing to bet on the talent and hope for an improved situation.

Cade Otton (TE – TB)

Cade Otton was a playoff hero. Across two games he produced 17 receptions for 212 yards and one touchdown. He outgained both Mike Evans (195 yards) and Chris Godwin (85 yards). While this two-game sample looks anomalous in comparison to his season totals (47 receptions, 455 yards, four touchdowns), Otton’s success as Baker Mayfield‘s safety blanket can continue into 2024. Reports out of training camp indicate the pair’s connection is trending upward.

Otton hardly left the field in 2023, lining up for 97% of snaps. This didn’t always translate to fantasy success, as Otton finished as the TE19. He did, however, show statistical improvement from his rookie year. Otton achieved career highs in receptions, yards, touchdowns, yards per reception (9.7), catch rate (70.1%), drop percentage (4.5%) and passer rating when targeted (102.5). He became a reliable option over the middle of the field and emerged as a legitimate red-zone threat (10 red-zone targets). This steady improvement combined with the massive spike in the playoffs provides hope for the young tight end entering his third year.

Otton scored 92 fantasy points on 67 targets, averaging 1.37 fantasy points per target. He would need 85 targets to reach low-end TE1 status with 116 points. That’s asking for one more target per game. It doesn’t seem unrealistic, but Evans and Godwin both commanded 130+ and Rachaad White received 70 in 2023. Evans and Godwin will continue to dominate, but Otton has a chance to become more involved with new offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The upside is 2023 Dalton Schultz.

Ben Sinnott (TE – WAS)

The Commanders selected Ben Sinnott in the second round, and you can select him as a cheap TE21 based on fantasy ADP. Sinnott wowed at the combine with a 9.73 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). He led all tight ends in the vertical jump (40′), broad jump (10’6″) and three-cone (6.82). Each of these results falls within or above the 95th percentile. This athleticism translates to on-field success, as the two-time first-team All-Big 12 player had the best year of his career in 2023. He totaled 49 receptions for 676 yards and six touchdowns, operating as the focal point and ultimate chess piece in the Kansas State offense.

Sinnott’s athletic ability flashes on tape. His 6-foot-4, 247-pound frame moves with great fluidity and coordination. A combination of acceleration and agility helps him gain separation on his routes, especially over the middle of the field. He also manages to gain a step on defenders on routes near the boundary. Multiple acrobatic catches flash on his highlight reel, as does his skills as a ball-carrier. Sinnott forced 14 missed tackles in 2023, which ranked fourth among all tight ends.

The second-rounder figures to immediately earn a significant target share in Washington. Zach Ertz has comfortably slid into a mentor role since his time in Arizona. Terry McLaurin will pace the pass-catchers in targets, but the second option remains open. Jahan Dotson is gone. The remaining competition is Luke McCaffrey and Olamide Zaccheaus. It’s fair to say Sinnott has a good chance to emerge as the team’s second-best option.

Greg Dulcich (TE – DEN)

Greg Dulcich enters a crucial third year. A problematic right hamstring has kept him sidelined for a total of 22 games so far in his career. Hamstrings are finicky and health remains Dulcich’s primary concern. He’s flashed in limited time as a contributor and there’s plenty of opportunity in this evolving Denver offense. If his hamstrings don’t fail, Dulcich has a chance to return his TE28 ADP for TE1 status.

Dulcich featured in 10 games during his rookie year, totaling 33 receptions, 411 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged a considerable 12.5 yards per reception. Frequent big plays offer Denver explosive potential, as 18.2% of his receptions went for more than 20 yards and 9% went for over 30. Compare this to Adam Trautman‘s zero 30+ yard plays. Granted, Trautman was mostly a red-zone target (13 red-zone targets). Dulcich still offers much more as a receiver.

Dulcich was a lone bright spot in a disastrous 2022. His 6.9 fantasy points per game would have been good for 117 points (2022’s TE8 numbers). He finished four weeks as a top-10 tight end while working with a spiraling Russell Wilson. Sean Payton hand-picked Bo Nix as his next great quarterback project. The greatness remains to be seen, but a promising preseason has me thinking he’s already an upgrade. Jerry Jeudy‘s departure frees up 87 targets. Behind Courtland Sutton, the pass-catching totem pole will have to sort itself out. Dulcich has the opportunity to become a featured weapon in 2024.

Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn