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The NFL Draft can have a big impact on player values. In dynasty leagues, additional competition or support from the NFL Draft can have an impact on a player’s dynasty outlook. This article focuses on five tight ends who benefited from the NFL Draft.
Baltimore traded Marquise Brown and did little to replace him in the passing game. There is a chance Baltimore could address the wide receiver position with a Will Fuller or Jarvis Landry type, but the loss of Brown is massive. Brown saw 139 targets, the 10th-most at the wide receiver position in 2021. Andrews was second at the position in target (149) and should be the favorite to lead the position in targets in 2022.
The Browns added David Bell in the third round of the NFL Draft, but Njoku has a clear chance for the second option in the passing game. Cleveland placed the franchise tag on Njoku and has discussed signing him to a long-term contract this summer, which would raise his value. This offseason’s overhaul of the Cleveland passing offense has left Njoku as the most established passing game weapon on the roster. Njoku is TE17 on KeepTradeCut.com.
Cole Kmet is under a new front office and coach staff than drafted him which can create uncertain surrounding his value. However, Kmet has a great opportunity. Chicago’s WR1 is Darnell Mooney who had 134 targets, the 14th-most in the league in 2021. The Bears let Allen Robinson and Jimmy Graham leave in free agency before signing Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, two unproven wide receivers. Kmet ranked 11th in targets in 2021 and finished without a touchdown. His volume situation could easily improve and a bounceback in touchdown luck could allow him to outproduce his mid-TE2 cost.
Green Bay’s trade of Davante Adams has left a huge hole in the offense. The team addressed the wide receiver position by trading up for Christian Watson in the second round, but he is widely seen as a developmental option. The uncertainty could break in favor of Robert Tonyan Jr, who has a history of production in the Green Bay offense and is available at a TE3 cost.
Rob Gronkowski is still a free agent but all signs point to a return to Tampa Bay. Tom Brady has returned to Tampa Bay and the team’s selection of Cade Otton on day three does not limit Gronkowski’s workload. Gronkowski is likely waiting until the summer to sign to limit his offseason practice requirements. He still offers elite upside.
