Evaluate These Overvalued Tight Ends Before Your Draft

As fantasy football draft season approaches, some players may be overvalued, particularly tight ends. Notably, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs has seen a decline in his performance metrics, raising questions about his future production. Last season, his Pro Football Focus (PFF) receiving grade fell to 70.5, resulting in a ranking of sixth in fantasy points per game. With Kelce turning 36 years old before the end of the upcoming season, a significant rebound in his statistics seems unlikely.

The tight end landscape in the NFL is evolving, particularly within teams like the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens boast a promising tight end duo in Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar, both of whom demonstrated strong performances last season and are likely to continue their upward trajectory.

Many fantasy managers often make the mistake of assuming that veteran players like Kelce will maintain their previous levels of performance. However, various factors can contribute to a decline, including changes to offensive schemes or fluctuating statistics from the previous season.

Three Tight Ends to Monitor

The tight ends discussed here are all over the age of 30, and their receiving statistics showed a downturn last season. Despite their lower average draft positions (ADP), they are still being selected significantly higher than younger tight ends, who are expected to generate more fantasy points. The average draft position data referenced comes from a consensus of major platforms including ESPN, Sleeper, and Yahoo! for a typical 12-team redraft league.

Last updated on July 24, 2024, here’s a closer look at these overvalued tight ends:

Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (ADP: 6.02)

Kelce is often regarded as the best receiving tight end in NFL history. Although he did not make a significant impact during his rookie season, he quickly established himself by finishing eighth in fantasy points per game in his second year. From 2016 to 2022, he consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards each season and earned spots on the Associated Press All-Pro team. He finished first or second in points per reception (PPR) in every season during that remarkable seven-year stretch.

The question now is whether Kelce can maintain that level of performance as he ages in a competitive league.

As the fantasy football landscape continues to shift, it is crucial for managers to recognize the signs of potential decline among veteran players. Investing in younger talent may offer a more favorable return in terms of fantasy points, especially as the NFL evolves.