High Elite TE Premium Targets in 2025
Brock Bowers, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
After his record-setting rookie marketing campaign, the talk round Brock Bowers in 2025 isn’t about whether or not he belongs among the many elite tight ends, however slightly how early fantasy managers might want to draft him in TE premium codecs. The previous Georgia Bulldog topped all NFL tight ends with 112 catches in 2024, regardless of coping with inconsistent quarterback play for a lot of the 12 months.
His utilization aligned with a number of the league’s prime wideouts, incomes 153 targets—almost equivalent to Justin Jefferson (154) and Garrett Wilson (154)—over 17 video games. In customary PPR scoring, Bowers completed simply 0.2 factors per recreation behind George Kittle. However in leagues with full 2.0 factors per tight finish reception, Bowers outpaced Kittle by greater than a full level per recreation. That sort of manufacturing makes him a transparent first-round selection in heavy TE premium codecs, with an actual argument for top-5 draft capital as one of many uncommon gamers who create a real positional edge.
Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Rounding out the plain elite tier in TE premium leagues is Trey McBride, the one different tight finish moreover Bowers to file 100 catches final season. McBride narrowly edged out Bowers in 2024 scoring by 0.1 factors per recreation and continues to solidify his position as one of many place’s most constant weapons.
His progress is obvious, with goal totals climbing every of his three years in Arizona: 34 as a rookie, 106 in 12 months two, and 147 in 12 months three. Preseason issues that rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. may reduce into his quantity proved unfounded, as Kyler Murray leaned closely on McBride all through the marketing campaign. If he can add extra touchdowns to his stat line—he discovered the top zone simply twice final 12 months—McBride has the upside to ship round-one stage manufacturing in TE premium codecs and additional set up himself as a cornerstone fantasy asset.
Try Sean Koerner’s TE Tiers article to see how he stacks up all of the tight ends this draft season.
High Mid-Spherical TE Premium Targets in 2025
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Rookie tight ends at all times include threat in fantasy drafts, notably in TE premium codecs, however latest seasons have proven that first-year gamers can succeed on the place. Brock Bowers, Sam LaPorta, Dalton Kincaid, and even Kyle Pitts all delivered significant manufacturing proper out of the gate.
Colston Loveland proved himself as Michigan’s prime receiving risk in recent times, exhibiting polish as a route runner. Now in Chicago, he steps right into a crowded offense with Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Luther Burden, and Cole Kmet all competing for alternatives. FantasyLabs consensus projections place Loveland ninth amongst tight ends in anticipated targets this 12 months. If he develops into Caleb Williams’ safety blanket, he may benefit from mushy protection as defenses give attention to containing the Bears’ vertical weapons.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders
To the shock of many, Zach Ertz continues to carve out fantasy relevance as a substitute of fading into retirement. Final season, he clicked with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in Washington, ending sixth amongst tight ends in receptions (66) and fourth in touchdowns (4).
Ertz at the moment occupies the broad center tier of “startable” tight ends. Based on FantasyLabs projections, 11 tight ends are anticipated to land between 50–59 receptions in 2025, making the mid rounds of TE premium drafts a value-hunting zone. At 34 years previous, draft rooms could let Ertz slide, however he nonetheless carries sneaky upside. In full 2.0 TE premium scoring, his 2024 manufacturing would have ranked because the Tenth-best broad receiver, highlighting how helpful he may be on this format.
