2025 Fantasy Football: Tight End Draft Strategy and Analysis

Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders: The New TE1 With WR1 Volume

Step aside Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — there’s a new top dog at tight end in fantasy football. Bowers, rookie sensation turned focal point of the Raiders offense, enters 2025 as the consensus TE1 across fantasy formats. Despite the arrival of Pete Carroll and the presence of Geno Smith at quarterback, all signs point to the Raiders funneling their passing attack through Bowers.

He’s more than just a tight end — he’s effectively a wide receiver one with a tight end designation, a fantasy cheat code. Even with Jacoby Myers labeled as the WR1 on paper, it’s Bowers who will command the highest target share. If he falls to the end of Round 3, he’s an easy smash pick. Anything later is pure value.

The Tight End Cliff: A Sharp Drop After Round 4

After Bowers, things get dicey. In fact, this might be the shallowest top tier we’ve seen in years. While Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals, George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions, T.J. Hockenson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Kelce round out the top 6, you’ll likely see no more than half a dozen tight ends go in the top 100 picks of fantasy drafts.

• McBride flashed elite usage last season but had just one fluky touchdown (yes, the one that bounced off a defender’s helmet). Still, his target share makes him worth a fourth-round pick.

• Kittle continues to defy age and regression. He’s a stable mid-round option, albeit with weekly volatility.

• LaPorta and Hockenson offer solid floors when healthy, though neither looks like a league-winner.

• Kelce, as discussed in-depth in our Travis Kelce outlook, is still usable, but no longer a dominant fantasy force.

If you don’t land one of these six, the floor falls out fast — and your best move might be waiting deep into the draft.

Betting Props Outlook: Touchdown Totals & Usage Tiers

This year’s tight end prop markets tell the same story fantasy drafters see: top-heavy, with high volatility beyond Tier 1. Here are a few noteworthy plays:

• Bowers – Touchdowns (O/U 6.5)
  
  Take the over. He’s the red zone alpha in Vegas and could see double-digit TDs.

• McBride – Touchdowns (O/U 4.5)
  
  Lean over if Kyler Murray stays healthy — the volume is there, but touchdown conversion needs to follow.

• Kittle – Receiving Yards (O/U 725.5)
  
  Slight under. With Deebo and Aiyuk still around, his week-to-week output fluctuates too much to feel secure betting the over.

• Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens– Receptions (O/U 68.5)
  
  Over is tempting, but monitor his health status and Lamar Jackson’s WR usage.

Tight End Strategy: Wait or Invest Early, No In-Between

Here’s the draft reality: If you don’t snag Bowers, McBride, or Kittle, you’re probably better off waiting until Round 8 or later and embracing a platoon approach.

Guys like David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns, Evan Engram (potential bounce-back for the Denver Broncos), and Andrews are still around, but their ceiling outcomes are murky. If you miss on the top 6–8 tight ends, don’t be afraid to:

• Draft two late tight ends

• Rotate based on matchup and usage

• Target upside rookies like Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts) or Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears)

• Stream weekly based on red-zone matchups and snap counts

It’s not ideal, but it’s realistic — and likely how a majority of fantasy players will have to handle the position.

Final Thoughts: A TE Landscape in Transition

Tight end remains the trickiest position to navigate in fantasy football. 2025 doesn’t offer the depth or consistency that some hoped for in 2024. If you miss on Bowers, wait with purpose. Stack upside fliers and stay active on the waiver wire.

From a betting perspective, tread carefully. Tight end prop markets offer a few edges — especially in the red zone — but avoid banking on volume unless you’re dealing with the true elite.

Draft smart. Bet wisely. And don’t overpay for mediocrity at tight end.