Today I will explore attractive landing spots for the rookie tight ends in this year’s draft class. For each landing spot listed, I tried to name at least one of the top tight end prospects I would like to see land there. Overall, these are landing spots that just about any rookie tight end could find a role in, considering their current need at the tight end position.

Knowing how the draft works, I doubt these players land on these teams. However, it is a fun exercise and a reason to get excited leading up to the NFL Draft at the end of April. Regardless of what player potentially lands with these teams, they could find early fantasy football success. Continue reading to find out what some of the best landing spots are for this 2023 rookie draft class at the tight end position. 

Detroit Lions 

After the Lions traded TJ Hockenson away to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, the team’s tight end position is needed. With potent options in the receiving game and multiple valuable running backs, adding a younger explosive tight end is the missing piece of the puzzle. 

Currently, Detroit has two younger tight ends in Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra. Obviously, there is a clear space in the Detroit tight end room to add a younger explosive playmaker. Zylstra played only 26% of the snap counts last season, and Wright played 52%. Both were non-factors in the receiving game. 

Detroit’s ability to draft another tight end is a situation where the rich would become more prosperous. I thoroughly enjoy seeing an elite receiving option at the tight end position. Additionally, draft capital will tell the story of how committed they are to filling this need. A few great players for receiving options come to mind and would add a security blanket for Jared Goff. 

Best fit for the Lions: Dalton Kincaid 

Kansas City Chiefs 

The Chiefs are a great landing spot for any receiving position in football, thanks to Patrick Mahomes. While I still think that Travis Kelce has a couple of years left in the tank, the Chiefs should be proactive in finding the heir to the tight end throne in Kansas City. 

The best option for a tight end for Kansas City would be to grab an athletic project. Clearly, father time still hasn’t caught up to Kelce yet. However, getting him a project-type, young tight end to mentor and mold into a playmaker like him would be ideal. 

The Chiefs use tight ends in various ways and utilize the position as another weapon or a focal point in the offense. That being said, I would like the Chiefs to draft someone who can make plays with the ball in his hands, similar to Kelce. 

Getting acquainted and finding a role might take some time for a rookie. While the rookie would have big shoes to fill in the future, having the time and mentorship opportunity would have to make you excited about their future in the league.

Best fit for the Chiefs: Zack Kuntz 

Cincinnati Bengals 

Like the two teams above, this situation would be the rich getting richer. With a boatload of receiving talent, the one option the Bengals still need is a tight end. A rookie tight end tied to Joe Burrow and an elite offense for the foreseeable future is a fantasy football goldmine. 

The Bengals did address the position by adding Irv Smith Jr. in free agency, but his career’s full of injuries, lack of production, and disappointment. While I am cautiously optimistic about his potential outlook with the Bengals, adding an option to the tight end room would be brilliant. 

Furthermore, the Bengals have had offensive line issues for the past two years, so drafting a rookie who excels in the blocking game would be essential. In addition to that, having a tight end that can be an elite weapon in the red zone would serve the offense well. Not to mention, Hayden Hurst is now with the Panthers. 

We all know they will be in scoring position often throughout the 2023 season, so having an option other than Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins would be incredibly beneficial for Burrow and the Bengals’ offense. Whoever it is, the rookie that gets drafted here could make an impact instantly for fantasy football purposes. 

Best fit for the Bengals: Darnell Washington 

Washington Commanders 

Newly hired head coach Eric Bieniemy is a big reason the Commanders is a great landing spot for a rookie tight end this year. While they still have Logan Thomas on the roster, they don’t have anyone notable behind him. 

We know Bieniemy loves to involve a tight end in their offensive scheme. The Commanders are relatively sound with their other receiving options with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Furthermore, the need for talented youth behind Thomas is alarming. Having one more consistent receiving option would be nice. 

The Commanders need a do-it-all type of player. A guy that excels as a blocker and can be a reliable receiving option for Sam Howell or another quarterback in the future. Additionally, they need a rookie that has been the focal point in the receiving game and a guy that can be reliable. 

This pick is more about getting a for-sure weapon in the receiving game to help out the Commanders’ offense the minute they step foot in Washington. I don’t expect the rookie to be Bieniemys’ new Kelce, but I am optimistic about the opportunities in a revamped offense for fantasy football purposes. 

Best fit for the Commanders: Michael Mayer 

Los Angeles Chargers 

Connecting a younger tight end with Justin Herbert is also great for fantasy football purposes. Gerald Everett was a staple in the Chargers’ offense and produced a career year in 2022. While I expect Everett to be a part of the offense again amid the cut rumors, he only has one more year on his deal in Los Angeles. 

Donald Parham re-signed with the Chargers on a minor two-year deal, so I am not concerned about his presence. That said, the Chargers would be an excellent opportunity for a younger tight end because there is plenty of opportunity for production. 

With Keenan Allen getting older, Mike Williams constantly battling injury, and suddenly Austin Ekeler wanting out via trade, there are a lot of uncertainties with the Chargers’ offense. One thing primarily sure is the Chargers are going to give a blank check to Justin Herbert soon, locking him in for the foreseeable future. 

In addition to Herbert’s contract, the addition of Kellen Moore this offseason is a great sign for the offense, specifically the tight end group. When Moore was in Dallas, Dalton Schultz was a consistent fantasy producer. 

You can see the parallels if the Chargers land a younger tight end. This class processes many athletic tight ends that can be significant offensive assets. 

Best fit for the Chargers: Sam LaPorta 

Miami Dolphins 

My dream location for one of the rookie tight ends is in sunny Miami, Florida. The Dolphins recently let Mike Gesicki walk in free agency and sign with the division-rival New England Patriots. In addition to Gesicki walking, the Dolphins traded Hunter Long to the Rams this off-season. 

That makes Durham Smythe, who caught 15 passes last year. The lack of receiving prowess at the tight end position makes the Dolphins a prime candidate to invest some capital into the situation. While they already have two elite receiving options with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, adding a reliable tight end helps. Furthermore, it helps in the red zone, which is where Gesicki thrived.

Along with their other weapons, the Dolphins will heavily consider speed and athleticism at the position. In addition to athleticism, ensure this individual is an elite route runner like the other options. While Gesicki is a great athlete, he could be a more refined route runner at the NFL level, and this hindered his usage last year. 

The Miami offense is fun to watch, so seeing an athletic receiving tight end head to south beach to be on the field alongside Hill and Waddle makes me optimistic. While I still see them as the third fiddle, knowing Hill and Waddle are on the field, too, I expect the young tight end would have plenty of opportunities to make plays. 

Best fit for the Dolphins: Luke Musgrave 

Honorable Mentions: Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets 

While many individuals are down on the tight end landscape in fantasy football, this class will significantly impact dynasty fantasy football rankings. Really, we have a lot of great options for the position in this 2023 rookie class. Some blocking freaks, others excel in the receiving game, and others excel in both. Overall, there’s plenty of solid, young talent. 

We must wait until April to see who lands where and their impact. In the meantime, let us know which NFL team is the best landing spot for a tight end in this year’s NFL Draft. 

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