Roundtable: 5 TEs Trending Down Prior To Free Agency

Photo: USA Today Sports

Free agency is just around the corner. With it comes changes in Dynasty player values. Our staff gathers together to give a preview of players trending in positive or negative directions. The last up is tight ends tending down.

Darren Waller, Las Vegas

Jason Wood - Waller had a lost season in 2022 but came back healthy toward the end of the year and did enough to re-instill confidence in his future outlook. Unfortunately, he still has to deal with Josh McDaniels and total uncertainty at the quarterback position. Barring the Raiders shockingly landing Aaron Rodgers, Waller could be stuck in a moribund passing attack that completely hamstrings his upside.

Kyle Yates - Waller is one of the best tight ends in the NFL, but his fantasy football stock appears to be on a downward trend. Waller only appeared in nine games last season due to injury and recorded just 28 total receptions. Looking ahead to 2023, unless Las Vegas makes a splash trade for Aaron Rodgers, he will experience a quarterback downgrade. On top of all the other competition he has for targets now, too, it's highly unlikely that we see Waller finish as a top-five tight end in 2023 unless a major trade occurs.

Dan Hindery - Waller has put together back-to-back disappointing seasons and will turn 31 in Week 1 of the 2023 season. The Raiders are going to bring back Josh Jacobs and could once again employ a run-heavy offensive attack. With no clear answer at quarterback and serious competition for targets with Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get excited about Waller. Expect Evan Engram, David Njoku, and possibly others to leapfrog Waller in ADP soon.

Evan Engram, Jacksonville

Zareh Kantzabedian - It would be in Evan Engram's best interest to stick with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Doug Pederson is infamous for doing wonders for the tight end position. Engram finally integrated himself into the offense during the second half of the 2022 season. Calvin Ridley will be part of the offense, but there is no doubt that Engram's athleticism is a valued part of the Jaguars' offense.

Dan Arnold, Free Agent

Dave Kluge - Dan Arnold is big and athletic. But he’s about to hit free agency after playing for six teams in the last five years. Doug Pederson brought him into Jacksonville, and his lack of production there could be the end of the road for him. Pederson has a history of bringing out the best in his tight ends; Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, and Evan Engram last year. Arnold lost snaps to Engram throughout the season and finished with just 135 yards. Although many Dynasty players have been enamored with Arnold over the years, it’s time to accept that he isn’t much more than a situation role player.