Everyone has a fantasy draft strategy with the tight end position. Jump early and you can land top-tier players Travis Kelce or George Kittle. Hold off until the middle rounds? Maybe you draft a potential breakout candidate in a schemed-up passing game. And there are some fantasy managers who go deep into the later rounds, selecting an upside pick with the traits to climb in the ranks.
Here are the eight tight ends I've been targeting in my mock drafts, from Mark Andrews to Jonnu Smith. I'll break down why each player is on my fantasy radar, and I'm also including ESPN Fantasy projections from Mike Clay to give you give you an idea of their 2020 outlook.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Current ADP: 47.6 (TE4)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 66 receptions, 878 yards, eight touchdowns
Playing in an offense that featured a league-high 42.8% target share for tight ends last season, I expect Andrews -- my current TE3 -- to post top-five numbers for the second straight season. We know how the tight ends are utilized in Baltimore, as Andrews ran a route on 62% of offensive snaps last season. Andrews is a prime target for quarterback Lamar Jackson -- with scoring upside -- on seams, crossers and overs. Plus, Andrews has some explosive-play ability, producing a reception of 30-plus yards in seven games last season.
For me, this is all about the Ravens pass game and how Andrews fits as a high-volume target, which includes the red zone throws from Jackson. And even if that touchdown count dips a little in 2020, I'm targeting Andrews as a high-floor TE1 in a Baltimore offense that creates consistent conflict for opposing defenses.
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current ADP: 64.0 (TE6)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 51 receptions, 690 yards, five touchdowns
While Gronkowski's current ADP is too rich for me, I will look to target the tight end if I can grab him in the middle rounds because of the offensive structure I envision in Tampa with quarterback Tom Brady. During his last five seasons in New England (2014-18), Gronk caught 71.1% of targets from Brady on passes thrown less than 15 yards. That means quick seams and crossers off play-action, the slant or back-shoulder fade as a flexed receiver and the underneath throws that move the chains. Gronk has always been a scoring target too, finding the end zone in 52.2% of his career games.
Yes, we are speculating some here after Gronk took a year off. And we know his injury history. However, given the familiarity with Brady, I expect Gronk to become a pretty consistent target in the middle of the field. And with the anticipated adjustments to the Tampa route tree -- which will cater more to Brady's throwing traits -- Gronkowski can produce lower-tier TE1 numbers for a Bucs offense that will score points in 2020.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Current ADP: 82.5 (TE8)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 64 receptions, 700 yards, five touchdowns
Higbee's monster production run to close out the 2019 season highlighted his receiving traits and seamless fit in the Rams play-action-heavy pass game. From Weeks 13-17 in 2019 - which included four divisional games -- Higbee led the entire NFL in receiving with 522 yards. His 43 receptions during that stretch? Good for No. 3 in the league. And his 107.2 fantasy points ranked eighth overall.
With the Rams using more personnel with two tight ends, Higbee developed quickly into a volume target for quarterback Jared Goff on boot/play-action throws that create both open windows and positive matchups for the tight end.
Yes, tight end Gerald Everett is still in the mix, and he will see targets in the L.A. pass game, especially with the Rams running more multiple tight end sets. However, Everett has just nine career games with 20-plus routes run, with no more that 50 receiving yards in seven of those nine games. The way I see it, Higbee continues to play a volume role here. He's an upside mid-tier TE1 in a Rams offense that is trending towards more tight end usage in the pass game.
Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers
Current ADP: 94.2 (TE9)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 55 receptions, 664 yards, five touchdowns
Coming off a year in which Henry averaged career highs in both catches (4.6) and targets (6.0) per game, I can see the tight end meshing with new Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor in a heavily schemed pass game. I'm thinking of the man-coverage beaters underneath that get Henry loose on crossers or the Hi-Lo reads for Taylor that open up windows to the tight end on in-breakers. Plus, the Chargers can dial up scripted intermediate throws (11-20 yards) that allow Taylor to hit the seams/overs. And let's not forget about Henry inside the 20 yard line, as 19.2% of his career targets have come in the red zone.
I understand that Taylor isn't as aggressive of a thrower when compared to Philip Rivers. And if the Chargers do turn to rookie quarterback Justin Herbert at some point this season, we will likely see a run-first system that leans on more defined reads in the route tree. However, if Henry stays healthy, I believe he can produce lower-tier TE1 numbers in 10-12 team leagues as a middle-of-the-field target on higher-percentage throws for the quarterback.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Current ADP: 118.0 (TE11)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 54 receptions, 610 yards, four touchdowns
With seam-stretching ability, and the straight-line speed to run after the catch, Fant is a breakout candidate in 2020 for an upgraded Broncos offense. As a rookie last season, Fant caught 40 of 63 targets, showcasing his explosive play ability with 10 receptions of 20 yards or more. And given that the Broncos are now built like a 7-on-7 team at wide receiver with speed and playmakers, Fant will get some room to operate underneath, where he averaged 7.5 air yards per target from quarterback Drew Lock last season.
While Fant's numbers will be tied to Lock's second-year development, the quarterback has the traits to push the ball to all three levels of the field. And with Fant's ability to play in-line or as a big slot target, he is high on my fantasy radar this season as a potential top-10 tight end.
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns
Current ADP: 131.4 (TE13)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 49 receptions, 526 yards, five touchdowns
Hooper is an easy scheme fit in the new Browns offensive system, which will lean on play-action and scripted verticals with quarterback Baker Mayfield out of multiple tight end sets. That caters to Hooper's route-running traits, his ability to find open zone windows and his consistent catch rate, where the tight end has caught 96 of 121 targets (with only one drop) in his past 19 games. Scheme him up off play-action and allow Mayfield to pepper the middle of the field. That sells.
However, as a much as I like Hooper in the Cleveland scheme, the volume should decline in 2020. After posting 75 receptions (on 97 targets) in Atlanta's pass heavy offense last season, Hooper is now playing in a much more balanced attack, with depth at the tight end position, wide receivers Odell Beckham, Jr. and Jarvis Landry, plus the pass game targets for running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Because of that, Hooper slides down as a fringe TE1.
Blake Jarwin, Dallas Cowboys
Current ADP: 168.3 (TE21)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 42 receptions, 475 yards, four touchdowns
With veteran Jason Witten out of the mix, Jarwin elevates to the No.1 tight end role in Dallas under new head coach Mike McCarthy. In 2019, Jarwin caught 31 passes and averaged 11.77 yards per catch in a rotational role. He's a straight-line athlete, who can shift into second gear after the catch. That shows up on seams, outs and unders where Jarwin can create some separation with his 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame.
The concern here is the target volume that Jarwin will have to compete for in Dallas. With wide receivers Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and first round pick Ceedee Lamb, plus the targets for running back Ezekiel Elliott, Jarwin might not get the consistent looks needed to jump into your lineup. But as a streaming option? Or as a TE2 on the roster? There is some upside here for a player that is currently available of 86% of early ESPN drafts. I think he is worth a late-round flier.
Jonnu Smith, Tennessee Titans
Current ADP: 169.1 (TE23)
Clay's 2020 Projections: 42 receptions, 457 yards, four touchdowns
Currently my TE16, I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith finish the year as a top-12 tight end in 2020. With Delanie Walker now out of the picture in Tennessee, Smith has the high-end athletic traits to produce as a No.1. Last year, in the 10 games with Ryan Tannehill as the starter in Tennessee, Smith caught 29 of 35 targets for 342 yards, including all three of his touchdowns. And the Titans will scheme up targets for Smith with the tight end removed from the formation.
While Smith's floor will be lowered by the Titans run-heavy approach, I believe Smith has the upside here for fantasy managers who draft tight ends late. And that's exactly where I'm looking to get Smith in my leagues this year.