2024 fantasy football rankings: Who are the best NFL tight ends to draft?

Gone are the days where tight ends are used as sixth blockers. There has never been a day and age where tight ends are used in the passing game more, which means there's ample opportunity to draft a league-winning tight end in your fantasy drafts this year.

However, this year doesn't have the clear-cut TE1 we've experienced in the past. In 2023, the Kansas City Chiefs' Travis Kelce recorded his worst season since 2015, while other tight ends like Detroit's Sam LaPorta and Arizona's Trey McBride emerged as high-end options.

Still, that only means there are more serviceable options available for you later in drafts. Here are the top-ten tight ends in fantasy football this year.

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Top tight ends in fantasy football 2024:

1) Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

2023 stats: 86 rec, 889 yds, 10 TDs

LaPorta may not have recorded as many yards as Travis Kelce, but he was a redzone monster for the Detroit Lions. This is a high-powered offense that will be inside the 20-yard line often. That is where LaPorta shines.

While several people believe LaPorta's touchdown rate is destined to drop in 2024, the Lions did not add any game-changing receivers this offseason, thus the team's plan of attack should remain mostly the same. LaPorta could lead all tight ends in touchdowns yet again.

2) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2023 stats: 93 receptions, 984 yards, 5 TDs

A model of consistency, Kelce finally started to show signs of regression in his age-34 season. Regardless, he's still a tremendous talent who will get a lot of looks in a high-powered Kansas City offense.

One worry is the addition of first-round receiver Xavier Worthy and former first-round receiver Marquise Brown. Both payers have game-breaking speed which could take some targets away from Kelce. Kelce still succeeded when he was paired with Tyreek Hill years ago, but two speedsters may be enough to drop Kelce's production even further.

3) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

2023 stats: 45 rec, 544 yds, 6 TDs

After missing nearly half the season to injury a year ago, Andrews is back and ready to continue his dominant stretch.

Andrews was on pace for double-digit touchdowns and 1,000 yards prior to going down with the ankle injury. Baltimore did add workhorse running back Derrick Henry during the offseason, implying that the team could lean more heavily on the ground game in 2024. Still, Andrews should be heavily involved in the team's passing attack as one of Lamar Jackson's preferred targets.

4) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

2023 stats: 81 rec, 825 yds, 3 TDs

McBride really got going in the second half of the season, recording more than three-quarters of his receptions and yardage totals in the final ten games of the season. All of his touchdowns came during that stretch as well.

McBride emerged as one of quarterback Kyler Murray's preferred targets, but the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. could put a damper on their connection. Even more worrisome is whether or not McBride can keep this pace up. It seems unlikely, but McBride would still be one of the best tight ends in fantasy if he only put up two-thirds of his production from a year ago.

5) Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 stats: 114 receptions, 963 yds, 4 TDs

In PPR leagues, Engram is a monster, and that should continue in 2024. Even with the addition of first-round receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the absences of Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones should open up even more opportunity for Engram.

6) Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

2023 stats: 73 rec, 673 yds, 2 TDs

With Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis out of town, as well as Kincaid finally taking the starting tight end spot from Dawson Knox, Kincaid could be in for a massive season with tons of targets headed his way. Unfortunately, fans have not seen that massive breakout performance from Kincaid to show what he is truly capable of.

Kincaid's biggest game of 2023 was just 18.1 PPR points. He also did not reach the endzone enough to warrant such high draft stock. Hopefully, his increased role will lead to more consistent fantasy production.

7) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

2023 stats: 65 rec, 1020 yds, 6 TDs

There isn't a better deep threat tight end than San Francisco's George Kittle. The problem with Kittle is his consistency. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the San Francisco offense, so while Kittle could go off for 20+ points any game, he could also drop a goose egg any game.

Last season, Kittle had as many games with more than 20 points (3) as he did games with less than 5. If Brandon Aiyuk gets traded (which seems unlikely at this point), then perhaps Kittle's usage in the passing attack will become more consistent. Until then though, Kittle is not worth a selection in the first five rounds.

8) David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

2023 stats: 81 rec, 882 yds, 6 TDs

Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, Cleveland's David Njoku finally established himself as a bona fide TE1 in fantasy. But can Njoku keep that pace up? In 11 games with quarterback Deshaun Watson, Njoku has just 42 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns. That isn't starting-caliber. The upside is there with Njoku, but there are certainly some major concerns to keep an eye on.

9) Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

2023 stats: 53 rec, 667 yds, 3 TDs

Former head coach Arthur Smith hated using his best players, so new head coach Raheem Morris could mean a massive shift in usage for Pitts. Furthermore, the addition of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who elevated T.J. Hockenson to one of the best stretches of his career in just 10 games with Minnesota in 2022.

That said, Pitts has not had a season with more than three touchdowns, and only one season with more than 700 yards. Pitts has top-5 potential, but given his disappointing track record, there's certainly some skepticism around his relevancy in fantasy.

10) Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

2023 stats: 71 rec, 761 yds, 5 TDs

Ferguson may not be the first or second option in Dallas' offense, but Dallas' offense is so pass-heavy, it hasn't damaged his production. With 2023 starting running back Tony Pollard out of town, there's a chance that Dallas' offense is even more pass-heavy in 2024.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football 2024 rankings: Who are the best tight ends to draft?