While the 2025 NFL regular season is still months away, it’s never too early to prepare for the upcoming fantasy football season. Much will change between today and when fantasy drafts start this summer. However, let’s look at five tight ends that fantasy players should avoid drafting this year.
- 2025 NFL Draft Guide
- 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Avoid
T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
Last year, Hockenson missed the first seven games, recovering from a torn ACL he suffered late in the 2023 season. The veteran averaged only 6.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest average since his rookie year (2019). While he should be better next season after being over a full year removed from the torn ACL, Hockenson comes with risk. He is the third option in the passing attack behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Furthermore, what will Minnesota’s passing offense look like with J.J. McCarthy under center?
Travis Kelce (KC)
While Kelce announced he would play in 2025 earlier this offseason, his days as an elite fantasy tight end are over. Last year, he finished as the TE6, averaging 9.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, the lowest of his career. Furthermore, the future Hall of Famer had 823 receiving yards and only three touchdowns last season, setting career lows in both categories. Meanwhile, the Chiefs don’t lack options in the passing game after re-signing Marquise Brown to pair with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
Jonnu Smith (MIA)
Smith had a career year in 2024, finishing as the TE4, averaging 10.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, 23.8% higher than his prior career high. However, the veteran saw a massive uptick in targets and touchdowns compared to his previous career averages. Smith averaged 46.1 targets and 2.9 receiving touchdowns per season over his first seven years in the NFL. By comparison, he had 111 targets and eight receiving touchdowns last season. Furthermore, 25% of his career touchdown production came over the final eight weeks last year.
Tucker Kraft (GB)
Green Bay’s passing attack regressed last season, with Jordan Love battling multiple injuries. Kraft led the team with seven receiving touchdowns despite ranking fourth in targets with 70. He finished last year as the TE9, averaging 8.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former South Dakota State star had double-digit fantasy points in only six games last season, scoring a touchdown in all but one of those six games. Kraft is a touchdown-or-bust tight end, making him a streaming option rather than a plug-and-play option for fantasy players.
Kyle Pitts (ATL)
It’s time to throw in the towel on Pitts ever turning into a fantasy star. He finished last year as the TE15, averaging 6.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a lower average than Isaiah Likely (6.4). Furthermore, Pitts posted a career-low 4.4 targets per game. More importantly, his numbers declined when Michael Penix Jr. took over under center. Pitts averaged 2.9 receptions on 4.6 targets for 38.3 receiving yards and 6.5 fantasy points per game, with Kirk Cousins starting. By comparison, he averaged 2.3/3.3/22/5.4 with the former Washington star.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.