2024 preseason rankings: Top 30 tight ends

24. Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos

Age: 27
2023 rank: 36 (standard), 40 (PPR)
Quarterback: Bo Nix, Jarrett Stidham
Other receivers: Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., Josh Reynolds, Troy Franklin

Trautman gave no reason to believe in him in 2023 but with Jerry Jeudy leaving Denver in the offseason, a few more targets are up for grabs. Whether any of those go to Trautman or not will need to be seen, as the 27-year-old has never surpassed 27 receptions in a single season. Trautman's best bet is if he gains the favor of rookie quarterback Bo Nix early on, or if Marvin Mims and Josh Reynolds do not take the leaps that the Broncos hope for.

23. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Age: 25
2023 rank: 20 (standard), 20 (PPR)
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield, Kyle Trask
Other receivers: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Even with Baker Mayfield's big year in 2023, Otton did not see any increased role in the passing game, making it hard to believe he has another level to reach in 2024. He saw just two more targets than he did in 2022 despite playing in one additional game. It is even more difficult to see Mayfield replicating that success in his second year with Tampa Bay. Like most other tight ends, Otton is a weekly touchdown-or-bust option with the latter seeming more likely given the usage Mike Evans has taken from him in the red zone.

22. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

Age: 24
2023 rank: 26 (standard), 21 (PPR)
Quarterback: Will Levis, Mason Rudolph
Other receivers: Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd, Treylon Burks

With the chaos that ensued at the quarterback position in Tennessee in 2023, Okonkwo was a victim of the situation and hidden behind his teammates. His yard total increased from his rookie season but he scored just one touchdown on the year, a discouraging stat for a tight end. Like the rest of the Titans' receiving corps, Okonkwo should see an increase in his value if Will Levis can progress the way fans hope for him and it is not out of the realm of possibility that he can leap past aging veterans DeAndre Hopkins and Tyler Boyd in the pecking order. For now, he is merely a third-tier option.

21. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Age: 24
2023 rank: 19 (standard), 25 (PPR)
Quarterback: Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson
Other receivers: Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews (TE), Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor

Even with him being the backup to Mark Andrews, Likely's fantasy outlook for the 2024 season is higher than many other starters in the position. Baltimore is reportedly looking at playing him at wideout in certain sets while exploring more two-tight-end formats to get Likely on the field. Even if Andrews stays healthy all year, Likely's numbers should still improve from his career year in 2023 and if the veteran goes down at any point, he immediately becomes a locked-in TE1.

20. Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers

Age: 23
2023 rank: 35 (standard), 31 (PPR)
Quarterback: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford
Other receivers: Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks

Musgrave's up-and-down season in his rookie year showed signs of promise but resulted in just 352 total receiving yards. While he was trending upward before suffering his first injury, his inconsistency and health issues are a concern for a 23-year-old. Musgrave should see an increased role in 2024 but with the Green Bay receiving room being a constant guessing game in fantasy, his floor will be rock bottom. Having just one career regular season touchdown simultaneously limits his ceiling and boom potential.

19. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Age: 29
2023 rank: 14 (standard), 19 (PPR)
Quarterback: Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye
Other receivers: Ja'Lynn Polk, Demario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, KJ Osborn

Depending on the quarterback situation, Henry is one of a few veterans of the New England receiving room, giving him a solid foundation to being the immediate safety blanket. Henry had a big drop-off in receiving yards in 2023 but remained consistent in the red zone. Touchdowns will remain the engine of Henry's fantasy value and no other receiver on the offense poses much of a threat to his usage in a shortened field.