Fantasy Football Top 20 Tight End Rankings: Sam LaPorta or Travis Kelce at the Top Spot?

Last week, I started a series where I ranked my top fantasy football players for the 2024 season. I began by ranking starting quarterbacks and then gave my top-30 PPR running backs and wide receivers

Today, I’ll cover my top-20 PPR tight ends to cap this series. That covers standard league starting options and a flex player. Let’s get right to it!

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1. Sam LaPorta

LaPorta was the top PPR tight end in 2023, and I think he repeats as the top guy in 2024. There might be a little regression in touchdown production, but I think he’ll make up for it with more catches and yards.

2. Travis Kelce

Kelce had a down season by his lofty expectations and missed two games, but still was third among PPR tight ends. He’ll challenge LaPorta for the top spot, but I think the Chiefs won’t overuse Kelce in the regular season in an effort to keep him fresh for the postseason, so LaPorta gets the slight edge.

3. Mark Andrews

Andrews has been a fantasy star when paired with Lamar Jackson, and now that the tight end is healthy again, there’s no reason to think his success won’t continue. He’s got a chance to challenge LaPorta and Kelce, but I think he’ll fall just a bit short.

4. George Kittle

Kittle was a top-five fantasy PPR tight end last season, and I think he’ll be just as good this season. I don’t anticipate Christian McCaffrey being as good as he was last season again, and think a little extra production goes Kittle’s way.

5. Trey McBride

McBride finished seventh among PPR tight ends last season, and that was after not doing much early in the season. I see a top-five fantasy finish now that he’ll be TE1 in Arizona for a full season.

6. Kyle Pitts

Pitts has failed to live up to the hype pretty much every season of his career, but I’m giving him one last chance here. I think having Kirk Cousins (who loves throwing to tight ends) around will push Pitts into the upper echelon of fantasy TEs this season.

7. Evan Engram

Engram finished as PPR TE2 last season, and while I have him down to No. 7 on my list, I still think he’ll be a positive for fantasy teams this season. His catch and yard totals from last year just seem unsustainable, so that’s why I dropped him down.

8. Dalton Kincaid

Kincaid had some up and down fantasy showings as a rookie, but now might be the best pass catcher on the Buffalo roster. I actually wanted to take him a few spots higher, but felt this was a more appropriate ranking for the second-year TE.

9. David Njoku

I don’t expect Njoku to fall off from his strong 2023 season as much as I see other TEs playing better to pass him as a fantasy option. He and Amari Cooper should dominate the targets, especially with Nick Chubb out to at least begin the season.

10. Jake Ferguson

Ferguson really opened some eyes in 2023, and should continue to be a big part of the Dallas offense in 2024. I could have taken him higher, but like other TE’s ceilings just a touch more.

11. Brock Bowers

Bowers has the potential to really blow this list up - either finishing way above or below this. He’s got a ton of talent, so he could really be a big-time fantasy star as a rookie, but with the team’s quarterback situation, he might also really struggle to consistently contribute. Spot 11 feels perfect for him.

12. Dallas Goedert

I see a bounceback season for Goedert, but I don’t think it will be enough to crack the top 10. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Saquon Barkley will take away from the production he’s posted in previous full seasons.

13. Pat Freiermuth

I see Freiermuth as a sleeper option going into the season. The Steelers have a lack of offensive playmakers, so Freiermuth could surprise and finish easily inside the top 10.

14. Dalton Schultz

Schultz was a top-10 fantasy option last season, but now has to contend with more offensive playmakers around him. He’ll still have his weeks where he’s startable I’m guessing.

15. Cole Kmet

Kmet is in a similar situation to Schultz, but falls a slot lower because he’s also got a rookie quarterback throwing to him too. He’s another sleeper, but I just couldn’t put him any higher.

16. Taysom Hill

You might be surprised to see Hill here, but I think he might actually be too low on my list. He finished 12th among PPR TEs last season, and should again be versatile enough to be a starting option most weeks.

17. Luke Musgrave

I expect Musgrave to improve in his second NFL season. He’ll have to fend off Tucker Kraft at his position, and then several young receivers for targets, but I think the Packers’ offense will be good enough to support several players and help Musgrave be a top-20 option.

18. Tyler Conklin

Conklin finished 18th among PPR TEs last season and didn’t even score a touchdown. He might not be as utilized offensively with Aaron Rodgers around now, but getting a couple touchdowns should make up for any lost yards or catches. He’s a sleeper in my eyes, and someone who might be startable more weeks than not in all formats this season.

19. Hunter Henry

Henry had some big weeks last season, but also some stinkers. I think a similar season could be in store with the couple quarterbacks and lack of offensive weapons the Patriots have. He’ll have some strong PPR outings this season, but likely won’t be consistent enough to play every week.

20. T.J. Hockenson

I’m giving my last spot on the top-20 list to Hockenson. I expect him to miss several games, but he’s good enough to post some big outings and still finish as a top-20 fantasy option. 

Honorable Mentions

With only 20 spots talked about, and 32 teams in the league, I want to mention a few other tight ends who could slip into the top 20. These are not who I’d rank 21 and beyond, just guys worth mentioning.

Tampa Bay’s Cade Otton could become the No. 3 option in the Buccaneers’ passing game and even finish inside the top 15 among fantasy TEs.

Tennessee’s Chigoziem Okonkwo is another guy who just missed out on the top 20 last season and could easily be involved enough this season to land in the top 20. He could be the third-best pass catcher on the team.

Washington rookie Ben Sinnott is a darkhorse option to finish in the top 20. He’s not the starter to begin the season, but could start for a long enough portion of the season to land in the top 20.

Seattle’s Noah Fant is another tight end who could finish in the top 20. I doubt it because the Seahawks have three good receivers, but you just never know.