Before we get started, I need to share three names that will not make either list: Kyle Pitts (ATL), Darren Waller (MIA), and Pat Freiermuth (PIT). It’s nothing personal; these are the TEs on my Do Not Draft list. I’ve seen the Pitts movie before, and I just don’t want to sit through the sequel hoping for 1 TD every four games. Waller had one good year (2019) followed by one amazing year (2020) when he averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game. Those highlights are worth seeing, and shot on the black-and-white film of the day. The Steelers torpedoed Freiermuth’s value, by acquiring Jonnu Smith, and diluted Smith’s numbers in the process.

Let’s start with some ADP value scattered throughout the TE Rankings.

Undervalued TEs

David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
ADP: 8.8, TE 9

Am I overly confident right out of the gate thinking the “The Chief” could be undervalued at TE9? I don’t think so. Njoku finished 2024 as TE 12, playing in only 11 games. Once Jameis Winston took over at QB in Week 8 (putting an end to the Deshaun Debacle), Njoku’s involvement jumped, as he saw 7, 7, 9, 5, 17, 13, and 10 targets in his final seven games of the season.

He’s proven he can do it. In 2023, he racked up 202.5 points, finishing the season as TE5. Njoku scored 4 TDs in five December games with Joe Flacco at QB, helping Flacco to his NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. A repeat of that 202.5-point total would have also resulted in a TE5 finish in 2024. The Browns threw the ball at a 62.8% clip last year, second only to the Bengals. Expected to win 4.5 games in 2025, they’ll be passing every game, all game. Wait, it gets better. The Browns face one of the toughest schedules for WRs, but the fourth-easiest for TEs.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
ADP: 11.2, TE 13

For Green Bay, the 2024 season could best be described as “disjointed.” Jordan Love missed time early with lingering leg/knee/groin injuries, and the Packers did the Lambeau Limp to a record of 11-6. The true bright spots on offense were RB Josh Jacobs and Kraft. In his first full year as the starter, Kraft finished the year TE10 with 163.3 fantasy points. He was 7th among the position with 707 yards, 4th with 7 TDs, and 2nd with 14.1 yards/catch (behind only George Kittle with 14.2). Kraft was TE1 on the season with 9.3 YAC, per Pro Football Focus. This 6’5”, 24-year-old kid is just getting started, because he managed those numbers with only 50 receptions. For perspective, that’s the same number of catches Will Dissly had last year.

Two factors keep leading me back to Tucker Kraft. First, HC Matt LaFleur and OC Adam Stenavich have each made it a point this spring to say Kraft needs to get the ball more in 2025. The second is what I’ll call “Red Zone Reality”. I want TD upside at TE, regardless of format. As Jordan Love scans the end zone, Kraft will be easy to find.

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
ADP: 15.2, TE31

If your strategy involves securing a second TE late in your draft, or adding one via waivers ahead of the dreaded Week-8 byes, this JJ should be on your radar. His preseason rankings are all over the place. ESPN has him at TE 32, but I’m more aligned with our own Mike Krueger’s analysis at TE18 and new HC Kellen Moore’s “endorsement” of a new $30.75 million contract over 3 years for Johnson (with $21.25 million guaranteed). As an offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Chargers, and Super Bowl-winning Eagles, Moore has thrown to his TEs on 20% of passes. He will be calling his own plays with the Saints, so expect more of the same.

Taysom Hill managed 31 targets and 187 receiving yards at TE in his eight games last year. With Hill unlikely to play in 2025, the thought of additional TE targets is also encouraging. Johnson finished 2024 as TE17, with 66/50/548/3. Inexperience at the QB position gives some a reason to hesitate, but my fantasy gut tells me TE Johnson could see an uptick in targets as wide receivers OIave, Shaheed, and Cooks draw fewer catchable balls downfield.

Honorable Mention

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars
ADP: 16.5, TE 22

Opportunity is King, and Evan Engram has left the building. The WR tandem of (stud) Brian Thomas Jr., and (stud-to-be) Travis Hunter will dominate the targets, but Strange stepped-up when given a chance last year. New HC Liam Coen should boost offensive output. He managed a similar situation in Tampa Bay, with WR1a Evans and WR1b Godwin, plus TE Cade Otton as an occasional contributor. When injuries hit those WRs in 2024, Otton posted 600 yards and 4 TDs, averaging 10.2 yards per catch and 10.2 fantasy points per game. Strange-r things have happened.

Overvalued TEs

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
ADP: 6.4, TE 5

Don’t hate the messenger. Here are stats from Travis Kelce, and his backup, Noah Gray, over the last three years. I also added numbers from 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, Antonio Gates, from his final three seasons.

Projecting Kelce’s production this preseason seems to start with some variation of, “He’s clearly no longer in his prime, but…” That mindset is not going to hurt your squad when evaluating a final-round kicker, but I discourage relying on it for your TE1. Be proactive and draft starters with upside, rather than selecting “Uncle Trav” who turns 36 in Week 5.

Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP: 8.9, TE 10

Now on his fourth team in the last five years, Jonnu Andre Smith caught lightning in a bottle with Miami in 2024, and everybody saw it coming. Sure, we did.

All it took was Tua Tagovailoa missing six games, the Dolphins relying on Tyler Huntley, Tim Boyle, and Skyler Thompson filling in at quarterback, while WR Jalen Waddle was fighting injuries, missing two games, and having (by far) his worst season as a pro.

With OC Arthur Smith’s run-first Steelers, Jonnu joins a team that already has last year’s TE9, Pat Freiermuth, who is bigger, and 4-NFL-seasons younger. Assuming the newcomer somehow wrestles away 65% of the 78 targets Freiermuth had last season, Jonnu’s 2025 line in a dreaded TEBC could show 49/40/440/4. Those numbers correspond to TE22 from last year so draft accordingly. Everybody should see that coming!

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
ADP: 9.10, TE11

A rookie with a locker full of “no-contact” jerseys, who had shoulder surgery in January and missed all reps at OTAs, for a first-time HC, with a first-time OC, drafted by the (gulp) Bears. As they say, “What could possibly go wrong?”

Loveland (79” wingspan) was taken as the first tight end in this year’s draft for a reason. Standing 6’6” weighing 248 pounds, he’s a nightmare in coverage. For comparison, red-zone freak Mike Evans is 6’4” and 231 pounds. I’m referencing a WR because Chicago plans to force mismatches, using him as a (really) big slot and possibly out wide. Picture Maxx Crosby, lining up across from a safety. Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle has coached TEs, and veteran Cole Kmet can demonstrate how to block for D’Andre Swift.

All this LOVE, yet he’s OVERvalued? The Bears might not rush/risk the 10th-overall pick. Kmet is being paid $10 million to absorb those early-season hits. Worst case? Loveland practices without pads for the first 10 days of camp, watches the intricacies of HC Ben Johnson’s system from the sideline for a couple games, then claims 75% of snaps after their Week-5 bye.