Not all tight ends are created equal. From a fantasy football perspective, we obviously want to target those who are most prevalent in the passing game. At this point, they are really glorified wide receivers with a little more bulk and blocking ability, but the objective remains the same. Secure the best tight end possible. This also has to be done while navigating the minefield that is the market. With that being said, let’s take a look at some potential tight end busts for 2024 fantasy football.
Tight End Busts for 2024 Fantasy Football
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Are we really going to ding Travis Kelce for seven yards? Kelce finished with 993 regular season yards last year which was the first time in eight years he had less than 1,000 receiving yards. He still caught 93 passes in 15 games, but Kelce had another phenomenal postseason. At the same time though, it was another four games of work. Throughout his career, Kelce has generally stayed healthy, but he is 35 years old and not as explosive as he once was.
Last year, Kelce averaged a career-worst (by 1.4 yards) 10.6 yards per reception with just 12 catches of more than 20 yards. Additionally, and perhaps of even more concern, Kelce caught just five touchdown passes last year. Compared to the majority of Kelce’s career, Kansas City has more offensive firepower than ever before. Patrick Mahomes was the constant, but he now has a plethora of weapons. At the very least, the emergence of Isiah Pacheco and his nine touchdowns had a downstream impact on Kelce in the red zone.
On the receiving side of things, Rashee Rice should only get better. The Chiefs also committed to that part of their roster by signing Marquise Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy. That gives Mahomes three explosive weapons while removing volume from Kelce. At some point, Kelce will begin to show his age, and he still requires a third-round pick. You always want to draft a player for what they can do, and not what they have done in the past. Unfortunately, Kelce fits in the latter category.
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
After playing in just 10 games last year, Mark Andrews will likely have a tougher job staying healthy in 2024. With 45 catches for 544 yards and six touchdowns, Andrews was on pace for another strong season. But should he be the fourth tight end off the board and require a fifth-round draft choice? There are multiple factors in play here, and ultimately they are working against Andrews.
To this point, Isaiah Likely hasn’t truly taken volume for Andrews. At least not yet that is. Likely has shown flashes of what he is capable of, and that has been on display when Andrews was sidelined. As Likely begins to feel more comfortable in the offense and build chemistry with Lamar Jackson, his role should increase. Additionally, with Andrews nearing the end of his contract, Baltimore could be looking towards the future.
With Derrick Henry imported this off-season, there could be some downstream impact on Andrews. This could especially be true in the red zone. Even when healthy, Andrews has never caught more than 10 touchdowns in a season and has just two years with more than seven. The emergence of Zay Flowers could also work against Andrews in the passing game.
Andrews has surpassed 852 receiving yards just once in his career. While he is a clear TE1, we are asking a lot of Andrews at this draft spot.
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
This is not a knock on Brock Bowers or his talent. However, there are some obstacles holding him back for 2024.
We never want to speak in generalities here or make blanket conclusions but rookie tight ends generally don’t perform well from a fantasy perspective. There is a lot to deal with as a rookie at any position, but tight end is more difficult. It’s not simply using that big, athletic frame to catch passes. Bowers will have blocking assignments, at least some, to learn and it will be challenging to find room to work.
Bowers enters the league with a college resume like no other, but things won’t come as easy with the Raiders. The level of competition is better, and some of the supporting cast might not be as good. The selection of Bowers also comes just a year after Las Vegas drafted Michael Mayer so it will be interesting to see how the targets are divided. It’s possible that Bowers is used more as just a receiver in limited packages, but that might take some time.
That will also require some level of trust in the Raiders’ offense. In turn, how much do we really trust Gardner Minshew and/or Aidan O’Connell? There is a difference between Bowers finishing the season as a top-10 tight end and him being one from the start. The concern here is that if he is able to deliver, it doesn’t come with the team that drafts him.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
There is nothing personal here as the Houston Texans are a team on the rise. After a great rookie season, C.J. Stroud will only continue to improve and make his presence felt.
Dalton Schultz was swept up in the success as he caught 59 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns. Not an especially explosive or athletic option, Schultz had just seven catches of more than 20 yards. The problem now though, is that in 2024 there will be less of a need for Stroud to look Schultz’s way.
Houston brought Joe Mixon in to lead the backfield and Stefon Diggs is a legit number-one receiver. The Texans already have Nico Collins and an ascending Tank Dell, so a lack of targets could be a real problem here. A big issue for Schultz could be consistency. There are only so many balls to go around in Houston this season.
Which tight end busts are you avoiding in 2024 drafts? Drop some names in the comments below and then make sure to check out our 2024 Fantasy Football Draft Kit for more great rankings and analysis.