Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlooks for Rookie Tight Ends: Brock Bowers, Ben Sinnott, Ja'Tavion Sanders and More

Discussing the landing spots for rookie tight ends and how their dynasty league values look now.

The NFL Draft is in the books, meaning we are that much closer to the NFL season and fantasy football!

I thought it would be fun to discuss the landing spots for rookies and how their dynasty value was impacted as a result. We already covered quarterbacks, running backs (which had a part 1 and part 2) and wide receivers (which had a part 1, part 2 and part 3). Now it’s time to discuss tight ends.

Brock Bowers Fantasy Outlook

Bowers went 13th overall to the Raiders. It was a bit of a strange move considering Las Vegas took Michael Mayer in the second round in 2023. Bowers should be the starter from day one, and it also wouldn’t surprise me if Mayer still played plenty.

The thing holding Bowers back in his dynasty outlook is the team’s quarterback situation. Gardner Minshew looks like the starter to me, with Aidan O'Connell another option. I don’t think either of those guys are the long-term guy, so Bowers’ fantasy stock will likely be tied to the next highly-drafted QB in Vegas.

Ben Sinnott Fantasy Outlook

Sinnott went in the second round to the Commanders. That’s a much better landing spot now that Jayden Daniels is there. 

Sinnott can learn from Zach Ertz in year one, even though I expect Sinnott to have a pretty productive season. In the long run, he could be the top fantasy tight end from this class if he and Daniels click. Sinnott is pretty comfortably the No. 2 fantasy TE in this class behind Bowers.

Tip Reiman Fantasy Outlook

Reiman was never really a big fantasy TE prospect for me, and landing in Arizona didn’t help matters. He’ll probably mostly be used as a blocker early in his career, playing behind Trey McBride.

I don’t view him as a fantasy option outside really deep leagues. He’s a guy to keep an eye on during camp and the preseason, and then of course the season. He’d be a waiver wire option.

Ja'Tavion Sanders Fantasy Outlook

Sanders landed with Carolina with the first pick in round four. It’s a great landing spot for Sanders, who will likely battle Tommy Tremble for the starting role right away.

Sanders’ long-term fantasy outlook is tied to Bryce Young. If Young can develop into even an average quarterback, Sanders could be one of the better fantasy tight ends in the game. Right now though, I’d take him after Bowers and Sinnott in rookie drafts.

Theo Johnson Fantasy Outlook

Johnson was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round. His fantasy stock could take a big leap depending on Darren Waller, who is contemplating retirement.

Even then, Johnson’s fantasy outlook isn’t the best in New York, mostly because the quarterback position is so up in the air. There’s not a ton of playmakers on the team, so it’s possible Johnson could earn a long-term role with a good season as a rookie. He’s definitely a gamble in fantasy drafts, but should be viewed as a depth option at this point instead of an instant starter or dynasty stud.

Erick All and Tanner McLachlan Fantasy Outlooks

The Bengals doubled up with All in the fourth round and McLachlan in the sixth. Cincinnati has had subpar TE play for years, so this makes all the sense in the world.

However, the team has Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson on the roster right now, so playing time this season isn’t looking great unless there’s an injury or cut. Gesicki was signed in free agency, but is on a cheap deal and only signed through this season. Sample and Hudson haven’t done anything overly impressive in their careers, so All and McLachlan could certainly be among the top couple TEs by the end of the season.

This is a nice landing spot with Joe Burrow at quarterback and Ja'Marr Chase as the top pass catcher. Depending on what happens with Tee Higgins, Cincy will need some pass catchers to step up, and that’s where All or McLachlan could make an impact right away.

Much like Johnson, I view All and McLachlan as more depth options/waiver wire pickups instead of players to target in a rookie draft.

AJ Barner Fantasy Outlook

Barner was another fourth-round pick, going to the Seahawks. Noah Fant is there, but if Barner proves he can play, he could be the future in Seattle.

It’s not a great landing spot with no long-term quarterback in place, and there’s already three good wide receiver options in DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. I view Barner as a depth option in rookie drafts, only being drafted in deep fantasy leagues. 

Fant hasn’t been overly spectacular in any ways, so Barner is a player to keep an eye on at least.

Cade Stover Fantasy Outlook

Stover landed with the Texans as a fourth-round pick. He’ll get to learn from Dalton Schultz and is on an up-and-coming offense, so I view Stover as a sleeper in this year’s TE class.

The only problem for Stover is that Schultz is probably locked in with the team for at least the next two years, and probably three. Things could open up if Stefon Diggs doesn’t re-sign with Houston, but we’re already talking a couple years down the line.

Of course, if Stover can make some plays, the team will find ways to get him on the field. It just doesn’t look super promising at this point is all. I’d still say he should be picked in a good number of dynasty league rookie drafts and then stashed.

Jared Wiley Fantasy Outlook

Wiley was one of the last picks in round four and landed in an ideal situation in Kansas City. Travis Kelce is clearly the top TE there, but his career also appears to be winding down. Then you throw in that Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback and Wiley looks like a really good dynasty option.

It might be a year or two until Wiley gets a real chance at a ton of playing time, but if fantasy owners can afford to stash him, Wiley might end up being one of the bigger fantasy steals in this draft class. 

I’d have him behind Bowers, Sinnott and Sanders for sure, but after those guys, it’s a toss up on which TEs might be fantasy relevant in a few seasons. If I rostered Kelce, I’d definitely try to add Wiley in the rookie draft.

Jaheim Bell Fantasy Outlook

Bell was a seventh-round pick of the Patriots. Hunter Henry is the top TE right now, but Bell could beat out Austin Hooper or Mitchell Wilcox for the No. 2 slot.

This is an interesting landing spot because the Patriots are in a rebuild. If Drake Maye is the franchise quarterback, then this is going to benefit Bell. 

If Bell excels in his rookie season, New England would not only find ways to get him on the field right away, but it would also likely mean that he’s the No. 2 TE at worst going into year two, as Hooper and Wilcox are on one-year deals. Bell is a depth guy who should only be drafted in deeper dynasty leagues, but he’s one to certainly keep an eye on.

Devin Culp Fantasy Outlook

Culp was a seventh-round selection of the Buccaneers. It’ll be an uphill battle to make the roster, but there’s really not any standout TEs on the roster right now, so I also wouldn’t write Culp off.

The Bucs will try to mostly run things back with their offense in 2024. The only thing really lacking is a reliable playmaker at tight end, where Cade Otton is the current starter. 

Culp should only be picked in deep dynasty leagues, but he’s certainly another one to watch during camp and the preseason. It really wouldn’t shock me if Culp led the team’s TEs in a bunch of stats, because nobody on the roster has proven they can consistently produce.

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