Lance's 2021 Fantasy Sleepers: TE
Top: Anthony Firkser (Tennessee)
The Titans let Jonnu Smith walk and didn’t address the Tight End position in the draft, which shows the faith they have in Firkser (or they have plans to sign a veteran here soon). Last season Firkser posted 39 receptions for 339 yards and 1 touchdown, while playing second fiddle to Smith and filling in when he was out. Firkser has a very high ceiling this season. He’s worth a dart throw at the end of your drafts, provided his stock doesn’t skyrocket due to hype heading into fantasy draft season.
3 Others: Mo Alie-Cox (Indianapolis), Adam Trautman (New Orleans), Gerald Everett (Seattle)
Mo Alie-Cox proved he can be a valuable starter at the position for Indy last year as long as he’s healthy. I think he’ll get another shot this season and with Wentz under Center he should get plenty of looks. I wouldn't be surprised if Indy makes a move to bring in Zach Ertz, if that were to happen Alie-Cox would lose his immediate fantasy value.
Jared Cook and Josh Hill are gone, making Trautman the next man up. They used a 3rd round pick on the athletic big man last season, so hopefully he is up to speed and ready to take on the starting role. If you read my sleeper QBs article, then you saw my prediction that Winston will win the starting QB job for the Saints, if I’m right then that will work out well for Trautman. During O.J. Howard's three seasons with Winston he caught 12 touchdowns and during Cameron Brate’s five seasons with Winston he caught 27 touchdowns.
Everett has averaged 39 catches, 412.5 yards and 1.5 touchdowns in the last two seasons while splitting time with Tyler Higbee. Leaving LA for Seattle was the best thing for him, Higbee, and fantasy football coaches. He’s heading to an offense that will now be coached by Shane Waldron, who he’s already familiar with because Waldron came from the Rams as well. He’s also a very good athlete who will help add another dimension to the Seahawks pass game that they’ve been missing.
Rookie: Kenny Yeboah (NY Jets)
This could also be viewed as my dark horse pick, but he’s a rookie and I needed someone to list here. I was very high on Yeboah during the pre draft process, apparently too high since he went undrafted. He’s got talent though and the Jets’ Tight End situation is murky. It’s difficult to trust rookie Tight Ends as it is, so unless his name is Kyle Pitts I’d avoid the rookies at the position this year. Keep an eye on Yeboah though, if he wins the starting job he’ll be in a good spot since the Jets are very likely to start a rookie QB for most, if not all of the season.
Dark Horse: Dan Arnold (Carolina)
Arnold has the tools to turn into a pretty good starting option at Tight End, he unfortunately hasn’t really had the opportunities. He started out in a crowded Tight End situation in New Orleans and then went to Arizona, a team that doesn’t really utilize the Tight End position to its fullest extent. In Carolina he has a chance to take over a starting role and see plenty of opportunities. It’s even better with Darnold in the fold since he has been known to look for his Tight Ends a decent amount since entering the league.
