Fantasy Football 2025: Upside Metrics: Tight Ends

Fantasy football managers put tight ends in a tough spot. From our perspective, all we want are receptions and touchdowns. The focus is on the receiving aspect of their game, but tight ends are expected to do so much more from an NFL perspective. We tend to overlook the blocking part of their game, and ultimately, that slows their development and limits their initial upside. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t sleeper tight ends to target and upside metrics to utilize. Based on their red zone targets, let’s take a look at three tight ends who can be expected to make an impact in 2025.

Upside Metrics: Tight Ends

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders, 21 Red Zone Targets

When it comes to Zach Ertz, it’s very easy to write him off. At this point, you can say the veteran is the past at the position and is old news. While we aren’t going to try and convince you that Ertz is the future, why can’t he be the present?

Last season, he was targeted 21 times in the red zone, which equated to 28.09% of Washington’s volume. Ertz turned that into seven touchdowns as he caught 66 of his 91 targets for 654 yards. Despite that strong season and the seemingly apparent chemistry with Jayden Daniels, Ertz’s ADP is just 171.

Now, there is the presence of last year’s second-round pick Ben Sinnott, but that didn’t appear to negatively impact Ertz in 2024. The veteran was targeted eight times alone within the five-yard line, and based on his success, there’s no reason to expect that to change. If waiting on tight ends is your strategy, then Ertz is the perfect option to keep your eye on.

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers, 15 Red Zone Targets

Entering last season, it was Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave at tight end for the Green Bay Packers. While both were still on the team at the end of the season, there was a clear difference between Kraft and Musgrave. So can the former continue his success in 2025?

While he was used more in the short game last season, the thinking is that Kraft will be utilized more downfield this year. Even with that being said, Kraft still averaged 14.1 yards per catch last season. Overall, he secured 50 of his 70 targets for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. The touchdowns shouldn’t come as a surprise after Kraft was targeted 15 times in the red zone. That equated to 21.33% of Green Bay’s overall targets inside the 20-yard line, so they clearly trusted Kraft.

Based on these upside metrics, there’s no reason not to expect Kraft to continue developing in 2025. And with an ADP of 123, if you wait on tight ends, it’s certainly worth finding out.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 16 Red Zone Targets

While Mike Evans and Chris Godwin attract the buzz within Tampa Bay’s receiving corps, we shouldn’t ignore Cade Otton. With 87 targets last season, Baker Mayfield certainly didn’t.

Otton came through by catching 59 passes for 600 yards, although he only scored four touchdowns. However, given the fact that he received 16 red zone targets (23.88%), there’s upside for more in 2025. Six of those targets came within five yards, so Otton’s in a prime position to add a few more touchdowns to his total.

From a roster-building perspective, Otton truly becomes an interesting option. With an ADP of 186, Otton is essentially free and might not be drafted in all leagues. That means, he’s readily available on waiver wires. This makes the case for both streaming at the position and also for just rostering one. If someone like Otton is readily available, there’s no sense in tying up a bench spot.

For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!