Trey McBride was the first tight end selected, the only one drafted in the first two rounds. But he went to Arizona, where the team just gave Zach Ertz a new three-year contract, so at best he'll be the 2nd option at the position there this season. But rookie tight ends making an impact are rare anyway.

Kyle Pitts went over 1,000 yards a year ago, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Since 2000, only seven rookie tight ends have ranked in the top 12 at the position in PPR scoring. Only 44 have ranked in the top 25 (and most of those aren't even starters in typical leagues).

TOP-25 ROOKIE TIGHT ENDS (PPR), 2000-PRESENT
YearPlayerTgtNoYdsTDRk
2002Jeremy Shockey, NYG1287489423
2017Evan Engram, NYG1156472265
2021Kyle Pitts, Atl.11068102616
2008John Carlson, Sea.805562757
2002Randy McMichael, Mia.683948549
2010Rob Gronkowski, N.E.59425461011
2004Chris Cooley, Was.6337314612
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.7960497713
2013Tim Wright, T.B.7654571513
2010Aaron Hernandez, N.E.6445563614
2008Dustin Keller, NYJ7848535314
2006Owen Daniels, Hou.5134352514
2005Heath Miller, Pitt.5239459614
2019Noah Fant, Den.6640562315
2001Eric Johnson, S.F.6440362315
2018Chris Herndon, NYJ5639502416
2010Jermaine Gresham, Cin.8352471416
2007Zach Miller (ASU), Oak.6844444316
2018Mark Andrews, Balt.5034552317
2010Tony Moeaki, K.C.7347556317
2016Hunter Henry, S.D.5336478818
2002Doug Jolley, Oak.3732409218
2017George Kittle, S.F.6343515219
2005Alex Smith, T.B.6141367219
2000Bubba Franks, G.B.5534363119
2018Dallas Goedert, Phil.4433334420
2017O.J. Howard, T.B.3926432620
2003Jason Witten, Dall.5435347120
2003Antonio Gates, S.D.4224389221
2001Alge Crumpler, Atl.4125330321
2013Jordan Reed, Was.5945499322
2007Greg Olsen, Chi.6639391222
2005Bo Scaife, Ten.5637273222
2001Boo Williams, N.O.4220202322
2013Zach Ertz, Phil.5736469423
2002Jerramy Stevens, Sea.4226252323
2000Aaron Shea, Cle.5130302223
2018Ian Thomas, Car.4936333224
2017David Njoku, Cle.6032386424
2014Jace Amaro, NYJ5338345224
2013Mychal Rivera, Oak.6038407424
2003Dallas Clark, Ind.4229340124
2015Will Tye, NYG6242464325
2012Dwayne Allen, Ind.6645521325

Pitts of course finished 6th last year, and Steelers rookie Pat Freiermuth finished just outside the top 12. So maybe McBride, or Colts rookie Jelani Woods (the Colts like to throw to the position in their offense) or Bronco Greg Dulcich (with just Albert Okwuegbunam ahead of him) surprise. But not worth investing in too heavily. Odds are against a rookie year impact.

--Andy Richardson