Sleeper tight ends are few and far between. They provide less value than your running back, wide receiver, or quarterback options, however, a breakout performance from a sleeper tight end can create too large of a point spread for you to lose. How?
On SuperDraft, players are given multipliers based on the value provided. Lower value players have higher multipliers. To get a fantasy score for a particular player, we take his fantasy points and multiply them by his multiplier. You can see why a sleeper tight end would provide such massive value to your daily fantasy football lineup. Here are some of our top value tight end options to choose from.
Our Best Sleeper Tight End Picks for the 2021 NFL season
Adam Trautman – New Orleans Saints
Trautman enters his second year in the NFL looking to capitalize on his innate talents. Over the past two seasons, the Saints’ tight ends have brought in 21 touchdowns making him a very desirable target.
Trautman is replacing Jared Cook as the Saints starting tight end and we can expect to see him take a large role in their offense in his second year 2021 campaign. Last year, his rookie season, Trautman had 15 receptions on 16 targets for 171 yards and 1 touchdown as the second option tight end while Cook dominated the majority of the reps.
Assuming he receives a similar target percentage, Trautman is on pace for a breakout season.
Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams
After an overhyped end to 2019, Higbee was nothing short of a bust in 2020 only racking up 521 yards and 5 touchdowns. He had 25 fewer receptions than the previous season, however, with new quarterback Mathew Stafford joining the Rams considerable offense, Higbee looks primed to receive plenty of opportunities in 2021.
Over his 5 year career, Tyler Higbee has a 67.3% catch rate (173/257) and only 12 touchdowns, 8 of which came in 2019 and 2020. As the first option tight end you can expect Higby to receive a good amount of targets in 2021.
Jonnu Smith – New England Patriots
Smith enters 2021 coming off of his best season to date. He has high athletic expectations but, thus far, has managed them well. In 2021 he had 41 receptions on 65 targets, 8 touchdowns, and 10.9 yards per reception.
At 6’3” 248lbs, Smith is one BIG body to try and defend and his stats prove that the defenses think so too. His 2021 campaign features a new team that has an offense built for two tight ends but Smith proves to be the more athletic between Henry and himself.
Mac Jones should have no difficulties in creating a connection with Smith in 2021.
Logan Thomas – Washington Football Team
Thomas has proven he is basically a receiver that happens to play tight end. In 2020 he reeled in 72 catches on 110 targets, 6 touchdowns, 9.3 yards per reception, and 6.1 yards per target, it is evident that Washington recognizes his talents.
This is Thomas’ second year with the Washington Football Team but first with the new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. That shouldn’t concern anyone. “Fitzmagic” has shown he can excel in nearly any situation and Washington is no exception.
Keep an eye on this entire organization in 2021 but for your dfs competitions, Logan Thomas is an exceptional value.
O.J. Howard – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Howard returns this year from an injury in 2020. Throughout his 4-year career (including 2020 where he only played in 4 games), he has averaged 15.3 yards per reception 105 receptions on 159 targets, 14 touchdowns, and a 66% catch rate.
Prior to Brady arriving in Tampa, he was able to put up monster numbers with the notoriously inaccurate Jameis Winston. With the veteran IQ and efficiency that comes with the winningest quarterback in the history of football, you can expect Howard to take on another big number season.
It is true, he will be splitting snaps with Gronk, but that shouldn’t dissuade you. Howard is an exceptional talent and has proven he can keep up with any tight end in the league. Consider him weekly in your daily fantasy football lineups as an excellent value tight end.
Conclusion
There are a variety of sleeper TE’s looking to establish themselves this year as elite receiving options. Consider these value tight ends if you’re looking for a low-floor high-ceiling option. As always, the matchups matter.
If the recipe is right, these guys can make all the difference in your SuperDraft daily fantasy football competitions.
