The 2024 season is a time of great change at the tight end position.
For years, there was Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs—and then there was everyone else. Two years ago, Kelce outscored the No. 2 tight end by over 100 PPR points. Kelce wasn't just the first tight end drafted—he was a legitimate first-round pick.
But last year. Kelce missed some time, and his numbers dropped. Young tight ends like Sam LaPorta of the Lions, Dalton Kincaid of the Bills, and Trey McBride emerged. At season's end, LaPorta (followed by Evan Engram of the Jaguars) led the position in PPR points.
Kelce was third and led all tight ends in points per game. He's old. Not dead.
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The lack of a consensus No. 1 player at the position isn't the only dynamic at the position fantasy managers need to be aware of. Even with young tight ends like LaPorta exploding into fantasy prominence there are maybe 8-9 reliable weekly starters at the position. Tight end is far and away the shallowest position in fantasy, and a compelling argument can be made that being aggressive in acquiring a higher-end tight end is a solid idea.
However, the last thing fantasy managers want to do while being aggressive at tight end is invest a relatively early selection on a tight end who fails to meet expectations this season.
Unfortunately, this trio of tight ends being drafted inside the top 15 at the position (including one of those early picks) per ADP data at Footballguys has a real chance of being just that kind of fantasy disappointment.
TE Bust: Trey McBride, Arizona (ADP: TE3)
After a hot streak down the stretch last year (McBride was second among tight ends in PPR points per game from Week 10 on), the third season from McBride is supposed to contain an ascension into stardom. For his part, the 24-year-old told reporters he feels much more comfortable in Arizona's offense entering 2024.
"I feel more comfortable in this offense being here with (offensive coordinator) Drew (Petzing) for a second year in this offense and knowing what the tight end is expected to do. In that aspect, I feel very confident," McBride said. "Then coming into the season knowing that I'm going to be the first guy on the depth chart, the first guy out there that really eases my mind. Makes me want to work harder, makes me want to keep that job, but at the same time, it gives me a little more freedom to go out there and just play."
Talent isn't the issue with McBride. But there are issues—ones fantasy managers appear to be ignoring. With improved wide receivers (including a budding megastar in Marvin Harrison Jr.), a huge target spike isn't especially likely. Without that spike, a top-three season may not be easy to come by—McBride has averaged less than 10 yards a catch and has just four touchdowns in two years.
Is McBride a solid weekly fantasy starter? Yes. Is he a top-three tight end? No.