2020 Fantasy Sleepers: TE
Top: Jonnu Smith (Tennessee)
Analysis: Delanie Walker is gone; this is Smith’s show now. Derrick Henry will still be the heartbeat of this offense, but beyond A.J. Brown the Titans don’t currently have another star in the pass game. Smith has shown flashes when he’s filled in for Walker. He’s also in a contract year. I like him as a breakout candidate.
Rookie: Devin Asiasi (New England)
Analysis: I hinted at this in Edelman’s piece in the Fantasy Busts: WR article. Young Quarterbacks like to look toward their big Tight Ends as a way to get the ball out of their hands quickly. Asiasi may not be the largest Tight End out there, but he still has good size and his speed can help make him a matchup nightmare over the middle of the field. I personally wouldn’t target any of the rookie Tight Ends from this draft class, but if you are going to, Asiasi is the right move, especially with New England’s success from their Tight Ends in the past and willingness to use the position.
Others:
Hayden Hurst (Atlanta)
Analysis: The Falcons love using their Tight Ends. They let Hooper leave in free agency and gave up a 2nd round pick to grab Hurst, that’s not chump change. Hurst showed signs of life last year in Baltimore. We’ll get to find out this season if those signs were because of the Lamar Jackson threat, or if he has what it takes to shine at the position. He’s definitely worth a flier.
Ian Thomas (Carolina)
Analysis: His size-athleticism combination was something scouts were drooling over when he was coming out of Indiana and with Greg Olsen officially gone, we’re going to get to see it in action. Bridgewater has come from two systems (Minnesota and New Orleans) that utilize their Tight Ends efficiently, I think we’ll see him continue that use in Carolina.
Mike Gesicki (Miami)
Analysis: Gesicki may have been on this list last year for me, and he came pretty close to breaking out. It’s difficult for Tight Ends to acclimate when they’re entering the league, often we don’t see them really breakout until they’re with their second team. But year 3 is a good measuring stick for most players in general. Gesicki has all the physical tools necessary to dominate in the passing game, and he’s lucky enough to be one of the most gifted pass catchers on this Dolphins team as it stands now. Don’t blow him off just yet.
Deep Sleeper: Jeremy Sprinkle (Washington)
Analysis: If you are scratching your head and asking who, that’s alright you’re probably not alone. Vernon Davis retired, Jordan Reed is currently a free agent and given his injury history he should seriously consider retiring to preserve his body as best he can now. That leaves Sprinkle, a 5th round pick by Washington in 2017. He’s got size at nearly 6’5” and 250+ pounds, speed (ran his forty in 4.69), and hands (finished his last two seasons at Arkansas with 60 receptions, 769 yards and 10 touchdowns). This will be year 4 for him and he’s had the opportunity to learn from two great Tight Ends. I think he’s going to surprise some people this season.
