2023 Dynasty Tight End Rankings: Dynasty Fantasy Football Top Ten

In dynasty leagues, tight ends are critical to winning. When you consider the short career span running backs tend to have, it’s important to load up on wide receivers and tight ends when building your team. It’s a tried and true long-term strategy, especially in PPR leagues. Having solid receivers to lean on during the fantasy football regular season leaves most teams sitting in contention all season long. And a truly elite tight end, specifically, can give you a competitive scoring advantage.

Let’s run down the top ten according to our dynasty rankings.

2023 Dynasty Tight End Rankings: The Top 10 Tight Ends to Watch

10.) Dalton Schultz, HOU

The Cowboys let Dalton Schultz test the free agency market this off-season, as they simply didn’t have the resources to allocate to keep him. In the end, Schultz stayed in Texas and signed with Houston on a one-year deal. He’ll be catching passes from a rookie next season, but it’s hard to rank him outside the top ten as he can give you a dominant week at any time. Schultz may be a fringe TE1 or high-end TE2 next season, but we’ve seen enough from him to believe he’ll be a solid dynasty asset.

9.) David Njoku, CLE

Last year’s breakout was significant for David Njoku, who finally set career highs in all categories, making fantasy managers very happy in the process. With Deshaun Watson looking to throw more this next season, Njoku’s production could be even better as he cements his place in the top ten. If you miss out on the top tier at the position this offseason and find Njoku available in the later rounds, he remains a solid bet for production, as he’s currently playing at a very high level and should be part of an improved passing attack in Cleveland.

8.) Pat Freiermuth, PIT

When you scroll through Youtube or Fantasypros for exciting highlights of the week, you may not see much of Freiermuth, who simply does his job and does it quite well. While not quite in the tier with Kyle Pitts and Travis Kelce, Freiermuth has proven to be a staple in our fantasy football dynasty rankings over the past two seasons. His touchdown production might have been down last season, but he still had 68 catches for 732 yards. When you consider he still has room to grow, he should be considered a clear TE1.

7.) Darren Waller, NYG

The Giants have been longing for skill position players for the last couple of seasons and they may have found their guy. New York made a deal for Darren Waller this offseason, making him an instant factor in their passing offense. Waller has been a mainstay on our positional rankings for years, but injuries have set him back. Getting away from Josh McDaniels and that offense has to be considered a good thing for Waller, as well. If he can turn his career back around, he’s a championship-level tight end who can dominate on a points-per-game basis.

6.) Dallas Goedert, PHI

The development of Jalen Hurts has made this TE a serious player in dynasty leagues. After finally seeing Zach Ertz sent packing, Dallas Goedert has developed into a pass-catching machine in Philadelphia. If you can get a tight end who can catch 50-60 passes, post around 800 yards, and score 3-4 touchdowns, you’re in good shape. Not only has Goedert consistently done that, but you should feel as if he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

5.) George Kittle, SF

When George Kittle is 100 percent healthy, there are few players on this list who are better. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case in recent years as he seems to miss a handful of games each season. Regardless, Kittle is a beast in reality and fantasy and is coming off a monster season with 11 touchdowns. He’s also proven to be productive with any quarterback. Keep in mind he’s already 29 years old. But that’s the only thing keeping him from being up a notch or two on this list.

4.) TJ Hockenson, MIN

After being traded from Detroit, TJ Hockenson simply flourished in Minnesota, becoming one of Kirk Cousins’ favorite targets in the process. With 60 catches, 519 yards, and three touchdowns in just ten games with the Vikings, Hockenson finally established himself as a truly elite option at the position. He was even better in the playoffs as he caught ten passes in Minnesota’s loss to the Giants. At just 25 years of age, there are few players at the position better to build around.

3.) Travis Kelce, KC

There was simply no other player (not just tight ends) who provided a bigger positional scoring advantage than Kelce did last season. With 110 catches, 1,338 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns, he was an easy choice for fantasy MVP. So, why is he #3 on the list? That’s easy. While no tight end can offer you a better chance at a championship, Kelce is 33 years old and the decline is inevitable.

2.) Mark Andrews, BAL

After posting a monster 107/1,361/9 season for the Ravens in 2021, Andrews regressed last year with “just” 73 catches, 847 yards, and five scores. Much of his future is tied to that of Lamar Jackson, but he’s also just 27 years old and the focal point of this passing offense. If you’re putting together a dynasty team, Andrews is a very reliable staple to build around.

1.) Kyle Pitts, ATL

After becoming the first rookie tight end to surpass 1,000 receiving yards since Mike Ditka, Pitts had a serious regression last year in Atlanta. Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder simply couldn’t get him the ball, and then he was lost for the year after just ten games played. These factors led to a disappointing 28/356/2 season. Still, Pitts is just 22 years old (11 years younger than Kelce) and we’ve seen what he can do on the field. If Atlanta can develop a quarterback, Pitts is the next star at the position.

Just Missed in our Dynasty Rankings

A number of players sit just outside the top ten, including Cole Kmet, Trey McBride, Greg Dulcich, Evan Engram, and Dawson Knox. Once the NFL Draft is complete, top prospect Michael Mayer will undoubtedly enter the top tier, as well.

Dynasty Tight Ends Rankings Methodology Explained

It’s important to understand the relative shelf life of different positions when it comes to evaluating players. In rookie drafts, it’s not nearly as important, as you should be able to get at least six or seven seasons from virtually any player you draft (regardless of position). Still, running backs are always going to be the riskiest picks as they tend to have shorter careers. In a start-up draft, you don’t want to spend first or second-round draft capital on an aging running back, despite how productive they may be. In short, you need to balance youth and talent and build a team in a strategic fashion, knowing wide receivers and tight ends are likely going to have longer careers (even if they carry more volatility from week to week). Tight ends also typically take a little longer to develop than other positions.

Dynasty Rankings Resources

For a complete list of all the Dynasty Rankings by position, check out our sister site Dynasty League Football’s extensive resources;

  • 2023 Dynasty Rookie Rankings
  • 2023 Dynasty Rookie Tight End Rankings
  • 2023 Dynasty Rookie Superflex Rankings
  • 2023 Dynasty Tight End Rankings
  • Dynasty Tight End Rankings FAQ

    What is the difference between Dynasty Tight End Rankings and Superflex Tight End Rankings?

    Dynasty tight end rankings consist of a list of the top players who are expected to make an impact in the NFL for the upcoming season and for future seasons. These rankings are crucial for fantasy football players in dynasty leagues as they help determine the best players to add to their roster for long-term success.

    The main difference between the two is that Superflex tight end rankings include an additional aspect for the players’ fantasy football value. In Superflex Rankings, quarterbacks tend to be valued higher since you can start more than one, whereas in our conventional Dynasty Tight End Rankings, the rankings are primarily based on the players’ overall long-term value and their contribution to a dynasty fantasy football team without consideration or comparison to other multiple-start positions like quarterback.

    In short, quarterbacks are going to be valued more in Superflex leagues because there are fewer in the league and they score points on a more consistent basis.

    Why are quarterbacks and wide receivers often at the top of Dynasty Player Rankings?

    Quarterbacks and wide receivers are often at the top of dynasty rankings because they are key positions in fantasy football. Quarterbacks are the most valuable players on the field, as they control the offense and have the ability to rack up points through passing touchdowns. Wide receivers are also valuable as they can make big plays and score touchdowns. Those positions, along with tight ends, have a longer career arc than running backs, as well.

    How important are tight ends in building a successful fantasy football team?

    Tight ends are very important in building a successful fantasy football team. By focusing on the top top tight ends, you’ll be able to build a strong foundation of talent that will bring you long-term success, as the truly elite tight ends carry a significant scoring advantage. This is especially important in dynasty leagues, where you’re looking to build a team for the future and not just the current season.

    written by

    Ken Kelly is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format. Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK

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