We are just a couple short weeks away from the beginning of training camp, but until then, the primary focus for fans is in the lens of fantasy football. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at the top players in fantasy football at each position and formulate a top 10 at each position.

As a reminder, make sure you check out the Draft Dynasty podcast, which is released every Wednesday on the FFSN NFL podcast feed wherever you listen to podcasts. Each week, Jeremy Betz and I tackle the biggest questions in the fantasy football or NFL Draft landscape.

Today, we continue our top-10 rankings with the tight end position. I am a running back truther in fantasy football, and I am not afraid to take them with three of my first four picks. However, if you are fortunate enough to land a top tight end in the early rounds, it sets you up for success, considering there are only a select few tight ends that can be relied on from week to week. I am beginning to find greater value in using an early-round pick on a tight end and finding depth at receiver and running back a few rounds later.

Here are my current top 10 tight ends in half-PPR formats for fantasy football in 2024:

1. Sam LaPorta

I believe debate can be had as soon as TE2, but after LaPorta’s incredible rookie season, he is on a tier of his own heading into 2024, as he is primed to only improve his overall game. What’s more is that the Lions did not make any significant additions to their weaponry, which should make his 120 targets from last season the floor for this upcoming season.

2. Trey McBride

Travis Kelce is still the consensus TE2 in fantasy, but if we are assuming Kelce’s numbers last season are likely his ceiling for this season, I believe McBride can surpass them. After recording only 3 touchdowns in 2023, McBride is in much better position to succeed this year, with Kyler Murray back at quarterback and a true number one receiver to take attention away from him in Marvin Harrison, Jr.

3. Travis Kelce

Kelce is another year older, and we have seen slight regression over the past year, but he is still the focal point of this high-powered offense that should be better than it was in 2023. Even if we see more regression in terms of total yardage, we could see a slight uptick in touchdowns, considering he only had 5 next to his name last season.

4. Dalton Kincaid

Perhaps I am banking too much on upside (as I typically do), but the opportunity for Kincaid in this offense is as good as any tight end’s in the league. With rookie Keon Coleman in prime position to be the number one receiver, Kincaid will be relied upon heavily as a receiver. Expect Kincaid to play a good bit out of the slot and compete for the weekly target leader on the Bills offense.

5. Mark Andrews

Considering Andrews’ history of foot problems, I do have some concerns surrounding his long-term durability. This is what breaks the tie for me between Kincaid and Andrews, as they are incredibly close in my rankings. Todd Monken’s offense still relies on the tight end heavily, but with Derrick Henry in town, many goal line opportunities may now favor running plays with Henry that would otherwise have been over-the-middle passes to Andrews in the end zone.

6. George Kittle

I think Kittle is a better real-life tight end than he is a fantasy tight end, but regardless, he finished tied for the TE3 in half-PPR scoring last season. As the situation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk gets murkier, the opportunity will only go up for Kittle to re-emerge as a prime weapon in this offense.

7. T.J. Hockenson

I am baffled by how low Hockenson is being drafted in most leagues. He was tied with George Kittle for the TE3 ranking last season, and his opportunities may only increase. Yes, Kirk Cousins provided stability to the offense, but let’s not forget that J.J. McCarthy’s primary weapon at Michigan was standout tight end Colston Loveland. Regardless of Jordan Addison’s future, Hockenson will be counted on heavily in 2024.

8. Pat Freiermuth

Injury is the only thing holding Freiermuth back from becoming a star in this league. Arthur Smith’s offense is always built around a strong running game and a balanced tight end, and if you have concerns about how much tight ends are used in Smith’s scheme, look no further than last year in Atlanta, where Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith received a combined 160 targets. If Freiermuth stays healthy, he will get more targets than he has in any season thus far in his career.

9. Kyle Pitts

Pitts had a strong finish in 2023 after a lousy first half of the season, and with Jonnu Smith no longer in the picture, Pitts could finally have the breakout season we have all been waiting for. Kirk Cousins will be as motivated as any quarterback in the NFL, and he has consistently targeted tight ends heavily, going all the way back to his days in Washington with Jordan Reed.

10. Jake Ferguson

I believe we see second-year pro Luke Schoonmaker have a greater opportunity to prove himself this season, but the Cowboys did absolutely nothing to help improve the offense. Other than CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks, there are no other viable weapons in this offense. This could allow Ferguson to maintain top-ten status despite giving away a few opportunities to Schoonmaker.