5 backup tight ends who need to be added in dynasty leagues

Tight end is not a position that has been very kind to fantasy managers in the last decade. There are only 32 starters and even fewer fantasy-relevant options, making it even more important for dynasty managers to look into the future to support their lineups.

In the bleak state of the position, it may not feel like backup tight ends are even worth a look and in most cases, it won't be. Not every promising young star will pan out and even the best opportunities often pass without results at this position. Managing the tight end field can be a really frustrating task.

But for as low as the prospects may be, even keeping the right names in mind throughout the year can pay off in the long run. Unless you are a manager with one of the few young stars of the position on your team, take note of these five players who are currently backups but have the potential to force their way onto the fantasy scene either in 2024 or 2025.

Theo Johnson, New York Giants

Darren Waller is done with football after just one season in New York, leaving the Giants in shambles at tight end and the door open for any of their young players to make their move. For practicality, former fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger will immediately slot back in as the starter to begin the year but is not the answer in fantasy with just 523 career receiving yards through two seasons.

If any tight end on the Giants' current roster is to break through in fantasy, it will be the rookie Johnson, whom the team has praised throughout the offseason. Johnson went viral for shutting down Aidan Hutchinson during the team's joint practices with Detroit but has received more internal attention for his athleticism and speed as a receiver.

With a career-high of just 325 receiving yards in college at Penn State, the concerns are clear. But in the state the Giants are currently in, fifth-year veteran Lawrence Cager figures to be his only competition for passing downs with both Bellinger and Chris Manhertz profiling as blocking specialists.

Ben Sinnott, Washington Commanders

Brock Bowers is in a class of his own as the top tight end prospect of the 2024 class but most are considering Sinnott as the best of the rest. With Bowers going as the No. 13 overall selection, Sinnott has been often overshadowed but was still taken by Washington in the second round.

To begin his career, Sinnott is listed as the backup to 12-year veteran and free agent acquisition Zach Ertz. While Ertz still has the name value and should begin the year as the starter, at 33 years old, his best days are far behind him. Since being traded to Arizona in 2021, Ertz has had a solid resurgence but has played just 17 games in the last two seasons combined and lost his job to Trey McBride in 2023.

In seven games in 2023, Ertz managed just 187 receiving yards and one touchdown. His burst and athleticism are long gone. At this point in his career, it will be surprising to see Ertz even have a full healthy season and Sinnott will be the first man off the bench in his relief. In his first preseason game, Sinnott posted the highest PFF grade of any offensive rookie.

Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers

"You can't teach size" is a cliché often overused in sports but is one that perfectly encapsulates Washington. As a 6-foot-7, 264-pound tight end, Washington is essentially a sixth lineman whenever he is on the field and has proven to be just as dynamic with the ball in his hands in college.

In his rookie season, Washington only managed seven catches for 61 yards but showcased the same power and agility with his touches that made him a third-round pick. Currently the backup to Pat Freiermuth, Washington is still a raw prospect and holds no standalone value in 2024. But with Freiermuth entering a contract year and missing four games in 2023, the window of opportunity could be opening for Washington very soon. NFL players his size just should not be moving the way he does.

Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers

Sanders is currently listed as third on the Carolina depth chart behind Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, both of whom are currently dealing with nagging injuries. With a solid preseason, there is an outside chance Sanders begins the year as the starting tight end if not solely due to availability.

While hidden in the shadows of star teammates Quinn Ewers, Jonathon Brooks, Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell at Texas, Sanders posted just 607 receiving yards in 2023. However, in his limited touches, Sanders posted a 15.2 yards per reception average, an impressively high number for a tight end. Sanders is only an average-sized NFL tight end but already has exceptional footwork and route running that have been put on notice during the preseason.

Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys

After a down rookie year, people seem to have forgotten about Schoonmaker, making it easy to forget that he was a second-round pick just a year ago. However, Schoonmaker is beginning the 2024 season as the second-string tight end behind Jake Ferguson in Dallas, a role that has been the starting point of several notable players before him.

Under Mike McCarthy's tutelage, tight ends are routinely a key part of the Dallas offense. McCarthy runs a healthy amount of two-tight end sets that have supported the fantasy value of Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz and Ferguson; all of whom began their careers as backups in Dallas before coming into their own.

With just eight catches in 2023, Schoonmaker is far from a guarantee. But in this offense, he is capable of breaking out any given week, particularly with the inadequate receiving corps Dallas will bring into 2024.