Gross Bombs: NFL Props for Week 16
Josh Gross
This year’s 2024 tight end class isn’t going to compete with last year’s. That’s just a fact.
At this point, it seems unlikely that anyone at the position from this year’s draft class has consistent fantasy production outside of Brock Bowers. But I do believe that there are a few players who could make some noise in the right situation.
Let’s take a look at where this year’s crop of tight ends could find their most success.
Ideal Landing Spots in the NFL Draft: Tight End
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Ideal landing spot: Indianapolis Colts/Cincinnati Bengals
There’s Brock Bowers, and then there is everyone else.
Bowers isn’t just the clear top tight end in this draft class, but one of the best tight end prospects we’ve come across in quite some time. His movement skills are absurd for a tight end, and he runs his routes with skill and precision. Bowers has absurd speed for his position, reportedly posting a 4.53 40-yard dash at his pro day. And it shows when you watch him with the ball in his hands, as Bowers isn’t just good, but legitimately dangerous after the catch. He averaged nearly nine yards after the catch per reception last year and over the past two seasons, has broken over 30 tackles. Bowers lined up out of the slot a ton at Georgia, which makes him a perfect fit for the Cincinnati Bengals, who not only could use a true long-term answer at tight end but also lost their long time slot receiver Tyler Boyd.
I also like the potential of Bowers with the Colts. He’d step right in and be this team’s every-down tight end, as well as their second option in the passing game. The Colts are such an ideal destination for so many players’ fantasy potential because of the pace in which they play. In Shane Steichen’s first season last year, the Colts led the NFL in both average seconds per snap (24.0) and no-huddle rate (16.6%). It’ll be difficult for a rookie tight end to emulate Sam LaPorta’s incredible rookie season from last year. But if anyone can do it, it’s Bowers.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Ideal landing spot: Washington Commanders
Playing in a crowded Texas offense alongside Adonai Mitchell, Xavier Worthy and Jonathon Brooks, Sanders caught 45 passes for 682 yards and two touchdowns last year. He has really good size and solid speed, giving him the potential to hurt defenses down the seam. I also thought Sanders’ change of direction in the open field was pretty impressive, especially for his size. Sanders is incredibly inconsistent when it comes to run-blocking. Sometimes he’ll just whiff on a block entirely. But there is upside here, especially if he lands in the right spot. That spot could be Washington, a team that is looking for their first answer at tight end since Jordan Reed. Veteran Zach Ertz is there to help Sanders for a year and then he can become a key part of what should be a pass-happy Washington offense.
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
Ideal landing spot: Miami Dolphins
Sinnott is a really interesting prospect. He was used in so many different ways in Kansas State’s offense, operating in the slot 20% of the time and out of the backfield 15% of the time in his career. In 2023, Sinnott hauled in 48 passes on 73 targets for 669 yards and six touchdowns. He is extremely quick and is tough to bring down in the open field, forcing 14 missed tackles last year alone. With his versatility and movement skills, it is very possible that Sinnott has the most fantasy upside of any tight end in this class outside of Bowers. With that skill set and how he lined up all over the formation, teaming up with Mike McDaniel and the Miami Dolphins could be really fun.
Erick All, Iowa
Ideal landing spot: Carolina Panthers/Los Angeles Chargers
All started his collegiate career at Michigan, spending his first few seasons there. Ahead of the 2023 campaign, he transferred to Iowa, which means he’s going to be a star tight end by default, right?
Well, maybe. During his time at Michigan, All was often used in pre-snap motion to get easy underneath looks. But in Iowa’s offense, he was used to stretch the field more, averaging 14.2 yards per reception in seven games. He has enough speed to make plays down the seam and while he isn’t incredible after the catch, he is deliberate with the ball in his hands. You won’t see him waste much time once he catches the ball. All also shows good footwork, agility and route salesmanship against man coverage, but against zone coverage, he is inconsistent at finding the soft spots. He did suffer back-to-back season-ending injuries, only playing 10 games over the past two seasons, so hopefully he can stay healthy. I wouldn’t mind seeing him land in Carolina, giving him at least a chance to push for playing time and targets in an offense I expect to take a huge step forward in Bryce Young’s sophomore season.
Other Notable Tight Ends
Cade Stover, Ohio State: Los Angeles Rams
Jaheim Bell, Florida State: Denver Broncos
Theo Johnson, Penn State: New York Giants
