Chris Allen Chris Allen digs deep for tight ends drafted after the top options are drafted in fantasy football 2025.

I take no pleasure in telling you this. Honestly, it’s hard to admit. But I have the hardest job of anyone contributing to our Fantasy Life website.

Imagine recommending a sleeper TE with a straight face after last year. We needed a “national holiday” to revive our trust in the entire position. Nobody was safe. However, like Michael Scott, I put on a brave face and laid out the paths for guys like Mike Gesicki and Will Dissly to become fantasy-viable before the season even started. It’s a tough (the toughest) job. But with a sound process, I found another crop of guys to target if you miss out on the popular options.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars

Disclaimer: I recognize Brenton Strange is going to be everyone’s favorite sleeper. However, the popularity isn’t without merit.

In Strange’s final two seasons at Penn State, he averaged an 8.8% target share on 53.1% of the routes run. Combined with above-average athleticism (6.7 yards after the catch), Strange just needed the opportunity to shine at the next level. Going to a team with an established pass-catching TE didn’t help, but Strange gave the Jaguars some ammo to consider moving on from Evan Engram.

  • Targets per Route Run (when both were active): 21.9% (Strange), 26.6% (Engram)
  • Yards per Route Run: 2.13, 1.51
  • YAC per Reception: 8.4, 3.2

Plus, Strange moved into the WR2 role ahead of Parker Washington once Engram went on IR. Now, in an offense piloted by HC Liam Coen (who brought us Cade Otton in ’24), Strange should be at the top of your queue once you get into the late rounds. 

Cade Otton, Bucs

Admittedly, Cade Otton’s time in the fantasy spotlight depends on Chris Godwin’s rehab. Then OC Liam Coen ran three-WR groupings at the eighth-highest rate despite losing two starters during the year. Accordingly, Otton’s workload shifted as the offense evolved.

  • With Evans and Godwin (Weeks 1-7): 17.6% (target share), 17.4% (targets per route run)
  • Without Evans and Godwin (Weeks 8-10): 27.4%, 26.9%
  • With Evans and McMillan (Weeks 13-15): 15.9%, 15.7%

Current OC Josh Grizzard was the Bucs’ passing game coordinator in ’24. So, expecting a similar approach to the offense (e.g., above-average passing rates, TE involvement) is reasonable. However, don’t take my word for it. Baker Mayfield only targeted Mike Evans more often than Otton once they got into scoring position. If Mayfield is going to post top-10 marks in red-zone attempts again, I’ll draft one of his primary targets with one of my final picks if I can.

Jake Ferguson, Cowboys

Your eyes just glazed over seeing Jake Ferguson's name, didn't they?

Don't worry. I understand. We just did this last year.

"Draft Jake Ferguson, Dallas' de facto WR2!"

And what did that get us? The TE24 in PPR PPG. Tyler Conklin had a better season. But I can make the case as to why Ferguson's TE16 price should look like a value.

First, with Dak Prescott on the field, the Dallas TE averaged the ninth-most PPG at the position. And unlike any of his peers who were buoyed by TDs—I'm looking at you, Tucker Kraft—Ferguson's fantasy production reflected his opportunities. His 18.4% target share ranked eighth among all TEs. Only CeeDee Lamb earned more looks from Prescott in the red zone. If not for a catastrophic injury to Prescott and Ferguson's own ailments (Week 1 MCL sprain, Week 11 concussion), the TE star with a star on his helmet would still be in our good graces.

Luckily, Ferguson should still be on our good side coming into '25. Dallas did add George Pickens to the receiving corps through an offseason trade. His biggest competition after Lamb and Pickens will be Jalen Tolbert and Jonathan Mingo in what could be a pass-heavy offense. With neither having a strong rapport with the Cowboys' QB1, expect Ferguson to be a fringe top-12 TE this season.