The 2023 NFL regular season is over. While the playoffs are still happening, that doesn’t matter to fantasy football players. We want something to do here and now related to fantasy football.
Thankfully, there isn’t much of an offseason for those who play in dynasty leagues. There are always trades to make and rankings to update.
While the head coaching cycle, free agency, and the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft will force me to alter these rankings several times before the start of summer, here are my top 12 non-rookie dynasty tight ends.
Dynasty Fantasy Football Top 12 TE Rankings
1) Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
The 2023 NFL Draft class had several top-level tight end prospects. While he wasn’t the first tight end draft, LaPorta is most fantasy players’ new dynasty TE1. The former Iowa star ranked fifth among tight ends in targets (120) but finished first in receiving touchdowns (10) and half-point PPR fantasy points per game (11.5). Yet, LaPorta has room to grow as a player. He had a 70.8% route participation rate, ranking 12th among tight ends (per Fantasy Points Data).
2) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
McBride ended the 2023 season as the TE9 in half-point PPR scoring. However, he was outstanding once Zach Ertz got hurt and eventually cut. McBride was the TE4 starting in Week 8 through the end of the year, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he averaged 2.17 yards per route run with Kyler Murray (per Fantasy Points Data). By comparison, Travis Kelce averaged 2.27 yards per route run during his impressive 2022 season.
3) Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Now is not the time to give up on Pitts. He had over 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie. Furthermore, the talented tight end has seen an increase in receiving touchdowns every season of his career. Pitts has been a victim of Arthur Smith and inconsistent quarterback production. Thankfully, both issues should get fixed this offseason. The former Gator spend was never 100% healthy this year. At only 23 years old, Pitts’ best days are still ahead of him.
4) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Injuries limited Andrews to 10 games during the 2023 regular season, but he should play Sunday in the AFC Championship game. The superstar tight end turns 29 right before the start of the 2024 season, meaning he has plenty of gas left in the tank. More importantly, he remains Lamar Jackson’s go-to target, posting a 23.1% first-read target share and 23% target per route run rate this year (per Fantasy Points Data). While Andrews is no longer in the TE1 conversation, he remains a top-five dynasty tight end.
5) Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Many were surprised when the Bills traded up during the 2023 NFL Draft to select Kincaid. However, the former Utah star had an impressive rookie season, ending the year as the TE11, averaging 7.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he scored 10.7 or more fantasy points in back-to-back games to end the regular season. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis’ future in Buffalo is in doubt. Kincaid could find himself as Josh Allen’s No. 1 weapon in 2024.
6) T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the Week 16. The injury likely will cost the star tight end part, if not all, of next year. Regardless, the former Iowa star turns 27 during the offseason and has back-to-back 900-plus receiving yard seasons in Minnesota. Hopefully, the Vikings can re-sign Kirk Cousins and draft their next franchise quarterback in the offseason. Unless the quarterback position turns into a disaster, Hockenson will keep his mid-range TE1 dynasty value.
7) Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
While D.J. Moore was outstanding in his first season with the Bears, Kmet also had a career year. The veteran was the TE7, averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He was Justin Fields’ clear-cut No. 2 target, finishing second in target share (17.3%), target per route run rate (23%), and receiving yards market share (21%) per Fantasy Points Data. Whether Chicago drafts Caleb Williams to stick with Fields, Kmet will have a significant role in this offense.
8) David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
There will be questions about Njoku all offseason. The former Miami star was the TE6 in 2023, averaging 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he scored 45.6% of his fantasy points over his final four games with Joe Flacco under center. By comparison, Njoku averaged 7.3 fantasy points per game in the other 12 contests he played this year. Hopefully, he can build the same connection with Deshaun Watson that he had with Flacco next season.
9) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce recently said he plans on playing next year. While the veteran didn’t play at a superstar level in 2023, he tied Sam LaPorta for the TE1 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 11.5 per contest. The superstar was still Patrick Mahomes’ favorite target despite the emergence of Rashee Rice, leading the team in target share (21.2%). While Kelce is no longer worth a first-round pick in redraft leagues, the veteran is still one of the top tight ends in the NFL.
10) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have an offense loaded with weapons. While Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel are the top two stars, Kittle had an impressive year. The veteran tight end has averaged 10.7 or more half-point PPR fantasy points per game every year since his rookie season. More importantly, he was more of a downfield threat in Brock Purdy’s first year as the starter, averaging a career-high 11.3 yards per target. While Kittle will start to decline over the next few seasons, the veteran remains a TE1 for dynasty players.
11) Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia’s passing attack regressed last year from 2022 after losing offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to the Indianapolis Colts. Goedert averaged 7.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, his lowest average since his rookie season. The Eagles’ passing attack was inconsistent for fantasy players most weeks. The veteran tight end scored over 6.7 fantasy points in only 28.6% of the games. Goedert’s inconsistent role on offense limits his fantasy upside unless the team turns into a high-powered passing attack.
12) Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Musgrave was the TE30 as a rookie, averaging 5.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he missed six games because of a lacerated kidney. He was playing well before getting hurt, totaling 50 or more receiving yards in back-to-back contests. Furthermore, Musgrave had six or more targets in three of his final six games before the injury. Jordan Love is an emerging star quarterback, making all of his weapons appealing dynasty assets.
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