Trashman’s Top 5 Rookie Tight End Landing Spots in Dynasty AND Redraft Formats

 

These aren’t necessarily the most talented rookies to enter the NFL this season, but they do offer the best combination of short and long term fantasy potential in my eyes. They each stand to make an impact from day one of the 2018 NFL season.

 

Mike Gesicki to the Dolphins: The Dolphins are excited about Gesicki, intending on running more 13 personnel sets which include three tight ends and one running back. It’s easy to see why they like him. He’s a 99th percentile SPARQ athlete who can really help them out in a passing attack now absent of Jarvis Landry. Gesicki is not a strong blocker, but if there are two other tight ends on the field he won’t have to be. He’ll be a week one starter with excellent chances of scoring week to week.

 

Hayden Hurst to the Ravens: Old for a rookie at 25, Hurst played two years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization before joining the Gamecocks in South Carolina where he set school records in receptions for tight ends. He’s got solid hands and is a strong blocker, traits that will put him on the field immediately for the tight end hungry Ravens. We know Joe Flacco loves his tight ends, and Baltimore throws the ball as much or more than any other team in the league, so Hurst can be a fantasy asset throughout the season.

 

Jordan Akins to the Texans: Even older than Hurst, Akins is a 26 year old rookie who spent four years in the Rangers organization before turning back to football. He’s a complete athlete with good hands and sub par blocking skills, and he’s joined the Texans at a great time, with C.J. Fiedorowicz retiring and Deshaun Watson back from an ACL injury. Akins was a member of the 2018 RW All-Senior Bowl roster.

 

Dallas Goedert to the Eagles: Goedert would be at the top of the list if we were just talking about dynasty potential, but the fact that he landed in Philadelphia dims his immediate prospects considerably. He’ll be stuck behind Zach Ertz in the pecking order for the foreseeable future, although in a booming offense. If there’s a silver lining it’s that Goedert’s 80 inch wingspan is likely to be utilized in the red zone early and often in his career. So much so, he could eek out enough fantasy valuable to be used in daily formats in plus matchups.
Troy Fumagalli to the Broncos: To be completely honest, I put Fumagalli here mainly due to the fact that the guys in front of him on the depth chart are wasting Denver roster spots right now. Jeff Heuerman is their most known option and he may not even make the team. Behind him and in front of Fumagalli are a handful of oft injured or unintimidating players. Fumagalli may not be a much better option, but at least his path is relatively unobscured compared to most other rookie tight ends.