The tight end position is one of the most challenging skill positions to project forward. Dynasty managers often struggle to identify tight ends, mainly because the NFL has become good at identifying late-round options that become fantasy relevant. Just three of the top-twelve tight ends from 2021 were drafted in the first round, making the position among the most unpredictable. The 2023 NFL Draft boasts one virtual certainty, but the battle for TE2 has commenced. Will someone stand out?
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Junior | 6'5, 251 lbs
Mayer is the complete package of a tight end and the only sure thing headed into the college football season. He's a large, physical player that can still use quickness to create separation. Mayer has above-average above-the-rim ability, flashing an upside to succeed in the red zone. Mayer may not be on the level of Kyle Pitts, but he offers more than any tight end from the 2022 NFL Draft. In tight-end-premium formats, Mayer should be a late first-round pick. In traditional scoring, Mayer, at the beginning of the second round, presents good value in a high-floor, high-ceiling tight end option.
Sam LaPorta, Iowa
Senior | 6'4, 250 lbs
Sam LaPorta moves like a wide receiver, which should help his draft stock next April. LaPorta has produced with volume, accruing 670 yards on 53 receptions in 2021. He runs crisp routes, displaying athleticism throughout his breaks. While the Iowa offense won't do him any favors, LaPorta should test well next spring, vaulting him into a day-two NFL Draft selection. His situation will be critical, but teams will draft him knowing he's best as a receiving option, which should give dynasty managers confidence when selecting him in the third or fourth rounds of rookie drafts.
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
Junior | 6'5, 255 lbs
Tucker Kraft's production alone puts him in conversation to be a top-five tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his athletic profile is the cherry on top. Kraft amassed 773 yards through the air in 2021, catching 65 balls and finishing second on the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in receiving. But Kraft's appeal is in his athleticism. He moves incredibly well, gaining yards after the catch in a way that looks translatable to the NFL level. Kraft started slowly against Iowa in Week 1 but should expect to return to form as the 2022 season progresses.
Brant Kuithe, Utah
RS Senior | 6'2, 220 lbs
Brant Kuithe may end up a wide receiver at the next level due to his lack of size, but his receiving prowess indicates that he may succeed in such a role. Kuithe has played well in college, returning for his fifth year after catching 50 balls for 611 yards and six touchdowns in 2021. He won't line up ready to block edge defenders at the next level, but his after-the-catch ability and success from slot alignments make him an intriguing player to watch in 2022.
Austin Stogner, South Carolina
Senior | 6'5, 251 lbs
Austin Stogner has had an unusual path to his senior season in South Carolina, logging his best season as a sophomore and struggling immensely the following year. Stogner posted 422 yards on just 26 catches in 2020, flashing versatility along the way. Stogner's blocking ability will draw praise from evaluators, and his strong hands in contested catch situations will raise eyebrows. None of this matters if Stogner fails to put together a solid senior season, making him one of the most appealing players to watch in 2022.
Under the Radar
Isaac Rex, BYU
RS Junior | 6'5, 246 lbs
Isaac Rex has been a prolific receiver in spurts for BYU, catching 37 balls in Zach Wilson's final year and accumulating 12 touchdowns. His step down as a redshirt sophomore in 2021 was notable, but if Rex can get back to the highlight-reel catches and reliable hands he displayed in 2020, he could become a late riser in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Trey Knox, Arkansas
Senior | 6'5, 245 lbs
Knox, a former four-star wide receiver recruit, took the last two years to transition to the tight end position, and results seem to be arriving. Knox offers impressive speed at the tight end position, giving NFL teams a potential mismatch and potentially vaulting his draft stock up. Dynasty managers should keep an eye on Knox this year.
