As I wrote this next set of tight ends (TE), I have realized that we are experiencing the new era of dynasty TE. Almost all of the TE included in this article are entering the third or fourth season in the league. Teams are starting to realize that having an elite TE on their roster is necessary. I mean cmon, a guy that can slide in and block in the run game or slide out and create a mismatch against a linebacker. There is a reason why George Kittle and Travis Kelce are some of my favorite players in the NFL.

For me, owning a good TE in a dynasty league is always the goal. It is a pleasure to not have to worry about who to start at TE each week. Below, I have listed the guys that I think can be viable dynasty options going forward.

Here, check out my previous TE Rankings: 40-31, 30-21

Cole Kmet’s draft stock has risen over the past few months. Kmet didn’t really break out until this year. I believe this is due to him being a dual-sport athlete (baseball) at Norte Dame. Kmet focused primarily on football this past season it did him wonders. As a junior, Kmet brought in 43 catches for 515 yards and 6 TD. Kmet impressed scouts at the combine and has natural talents of pure athleticism and soft hands.

Kmet is the most pro-ready TE and is willing to be a contributor in the running game. Cole did run one of the better 40 times at the combine. Kmet will need to put on more weight and continue to hit the weights hard as he progresses as a true TE in the NFL. I do believe Cole Kmet will be the first TE off the board. With Vernon Davis retiring and Jordan Reed still in concussion protocol, Ron Rivera and the Redskins will have to find their future TE. With Haskins, Kmet may not get off to the greatest start, however over time I do believe they will establish a connection.

Rivera used Greg Olsen as a big part of his offense in Carolina. I think Kmet can fill that same role. Kmet is a late second into the third rookie round pick and would be a worth a look if he lands in Washington.

Irv. Smith Jr. was a highly touted TE heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. 2019 was full of TE talent which allowed Irv to fall to the Minnesota Vikings in round two. The Vikings are currently overpaying Rudolph in my eyes, and I think many Vikings fans would agree. The Vikings played a lot of two TE sets to help Dalvin Cook have his career-best season. I think Irv can play a bigger role in this offense in 2020. Stefon Diggs being traded to Buffalo will leave targets on the table that Kirk Cousins will need to distribute somewhere.

Kyle Rudolph had one of his better seasons in 2019 and this could partly due to the attention that Irv Smith received. I find it hard to see the Vikings getting rid of Rudolph before the end of his contract in 2024 because it would result in a $10 million cap hit. The Vikings will find ways to Irv involved more in the future, but his current ADP isn’t very attractive to me. I would much rather have the other options around this range, but I wouldn’t fault anyone for wanting to have him on their dynasty team.

Dec 1, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas (80) catches a pass during the third quarter against the Washington Redskins at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Thomas should be first in line for the starting TE job for the Carolina Panthers. Thomas has shown at times over the past few years that he is capable of handling the load of a pro-TE. Thomas has seen a limited target share but also had Kyle Allen and Will Grier throwing him the ball. Now with Teddy Bridgewater, I am trending up on Ian Thomas. Yes, we have never seen Teddy use the TE that efficiently but Thomas will be a good red-zone target for him.

Under new OC Joe Brady, the Panthers offense should see some improvements. Instead of CMC controlling the reigns of the whole offense, Brady will find ways to get all his pieces involved. Thomas will be entering his third season in the NFL in 2020 and can have a bright future under his mastermind offensive coordinator. Despite his age and having the starting role as now, Thomas goes late in dynasty startups. IT is one of my favorite targets if I don’t want to target TE early in the draft.

With NFL veteran Jason Witten heading to Las Vegas to finish out his career, the Dallas Cowboys TE position is wide open. Blake Jarwin will be the starting TE for the Cowboys Week 1. He is still young and has shown that he can be very productive with a limited workload he has received. Jarwin is entering his fourth season in the league and Dak Prescott is entering his prime years.

The Dallas passing attack was in full force in 2019 and I expect them to continue on that success into 2020. Prescott will have an array of receiving threats in 2020, and Jarwin should be able to make a name for himself in the middle of the field. 2019 Cowboys’ TE accounted for seven total TD, and I see Jarwin grabbing six TD in 2020. Jarwin is going around the later rounds in dynasty startups and he is a great young option for your squad.

I have a good feeling about Hayden Hurst, and I know that feelings don’t mean a ton to you as the reader, but hear me out. Hurst was 1st round draft pick for the Ravens in 2018. Mark Andrews took control of the Ravens TE situation in 2019, but I don’t think this is knock on Hurst. Andrews and Hurst spent about the same amount of snaps on the field but Andrews was more of a safety blanket for Lamar Jackson. Hurst was used more as the blocking TE but will be joining the Falcons.

With Austin Hooper departing to the Browns, there are over 100 targets left on the table. They will be sprinkled between Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley but I also see Hurst getting 65+ targets in 2020. Hurst will only be in this third season going into 2020 and now is the TE1 for one of the better passing attacks in this league. Hurst is rising up draft boards in dynasty startups but is worth the cost. Hayden Hurst is a great option for your dynasty team and could work himself into a Top 10 fantasy TE.

Another injury to Delanie Walker propelled Smith into the starting lineup. Jonnu played a key role in the Titans offense in 2019 and I think he will have a bigger role in 2020. After a midseason change at QB, the Titans offense took the next step that landed them in the playoffs and led them to the AFC championship game. The Titans will continue with Ryan Tannehill at the helm and the chemistry between him and Smith will grow this summer. A.J. Brown will continue being the focal point of the offense.

However, I think Jonnu will be Tannehill’s second read. The Titans may address another WR opposite of Brown but if not, Smith will see an uptick in targets. Jonnu is entering his 3rd year in the league and the Titans’ passing offense will need to flourish next year. Smith is going around the 9th-10th round in dynasty startups and is a good target if you are looking to wait for a TE. Pairing Smith with a veteran TE like Jared Cook would be a good approach.

Tyler Higbee was a key piece for the Rams offense in the latter part of the year. Higbee was a key part of many people’s fantasy championships in 2019. I know he was for me, I played him in my flex on championship week when we went for 8 catches, 84 yards, and a score. I still have some hesitancy on if Higbee will be the featured TE going forward. McVay will want to continue to see what Everett may be able to bring to the team.

However, I think that it won’t take long for Higbee to prove himself as the top TE on the team and a valuable part of their offensive success. Higbee’s game flourishes on play-action and I know McVay will be smart enough to implement more of that in 2020. Higbee is 27 but appears to be entering the prime of his career. Jared Goff will continue to find Higbee open in the flats and let him be a playmaker in space.

Tyler Higbee has crept up into the late eighth round in dynasty startups and I would love to have him on the turn of the eighth or ninth round. Higbee can be a reception monster if Goff takes the next step in 2020.

Many were banking on O.J. Howard finishing as a top-five TE in 2019, and his ADP suggested it heavily. I would consider Howard one of the biggest busts of the 2019 season. Howard struggled to please Arians at times by making a costly mistake at the wrong time. O.J. was only targeted close to a handful of times per game and usually was good for a drop or two. Enough with the negative talk of Howard, let us move towards the future. Howard just got a huge upgrade at QB with Tom Brady.

And yes, Brady has used his TE efficiently in the past. I think Howard can be a red zone monster for the Bucs in 2020, but I don’t like it when people strictly correlate Howard’s future success to Gronk. Howard will be 25 going into next season and Brady will find ways to get the former first-round draft pick involved. Howard is going around the sixth to seventh in startups but I would feel more comfortable about grabbing him a round or two later.

Mike Gesicki started to find his role as the season came to a close in 2019. Between the musical chairs at QB, Gesicki overall had a good season. Gesicki will look to improve in 2020 and should have a rookie QB looking his way. DeVante Parker decided to return from his four year trip from his hidden island and came through for fantasy owners, and his Parker’s success plays a role in Gesicki. When teams have to respect threats on the outside, the middle of the field will open up and Gesicki can do his work there.

Gesicki saw 89 targets in 2019, and I think he can see around 90 in 2020. Whoever the Dolphins bring in at QB will look to him early and often. The Dolphins are trending in the right direction and Gesicki could be the heart of the offense for them. Gesicki also grabbed 5 scores in 2019, and I would probably expect him to hit close to 10 in 2020. Gesicki is one of my favorite targets for a dynasty TE. I feel that some haven’t bought on to him yet, but he will start earning more respect in 2020.

I have been watching Dallas Goedert since his high school days. What? His high school days? Yup. Goedert went to high school about an hour away from where I live and went to college about 45 minutes away. Goedert has been a dominating threat since the age of 14, and I think that he is going to be in the conversation of a top-five TE going into 2021. Yes, Zach Ertz is getting older but is still one of the best TE in the league. Goedert and Carson Wentz know each other very well. They played against each other multiple times in college as they battled it out for the Dakota Marker.

The Eagles will continue to use their two TE sets heavily in 2020. Doug Pederson is the mastermind of the two TE sets. Ertz and Goedert help each other out on the field. They both have a different skill set that allows them to play off each other. Goedert may be the cheaper option for the Eagles going forward and can be the team’s number one if asked upon. Goedert goes around the seventh round in dynasty startups and I would pair him and another guy in my 20-11 list. Owning Goedert and Jonnu Smith would spell success for an owner not wanting to spend a premium pick on a TE.

Here, check out my previous TE Rankings: 40-31, 30-21

Check out my Rookie QB Dynasty Rankings & Rookie TE Dynasty Rankings

Check out my Top 10 Dynasty RB & Top 10 Dynasty WR as well!

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