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Dynasty Leagues

Long-term TEs

Bowers looking like an up-and-coming great

The Raiders are a dumpster fire, but Brock Bowers has been everything they were hoping for. He’s closing in on the most productive first half season by a tight end in NFL history.

Bowers has caught 47 passes in this first seven games. That’s 5 more than 1988 Keith Jackson, 9 more than 2013 Jordan Reed, and at least a dozen more than every other tight end in league history.

TIGHT ENDS: MOST CATCHES IN FIRST SEVEN GAMES
YearPlayerNoYardsAvgTD
2024• Brock Bowers, L.V.4747710.11
1988Keith Jackson, Phil.423438.23
2013Jordan Reed, Was.3842511.22
2023Sam LaPorta, Det.3537710.83
2021Kyle Pitts, Atl.3348414.71
1970Raymond Chester, Oak.3040113.46
2017Evan Engram, NYG3034211.43
2006Kellen Winslow, Cle.302839.42
2023Dalton Kincaid, Buff.302588.61
2010Aaron Hernandez, N.E.2938813.40
2010Jermaine Gresham, Cin.292016.92
1973Charle Young, Phil.2837213.31
2014Jace Amaro, NYJ272348.71
1975Oscar Roan, Cle.2632312.41
1987Robert Awalt, St.L.2632012.33
1998Cam Cleeland, N.O.2533813.52
2022Greg Dulcich, Den.2531912.81
1979Kellen Winslow, S.D.2525510.22
2002Randy McMichael, Mia.2432713.64
2014Travis Kelce, K.C.2430712.83
2002Jeremy Shockey, NYG2430212.61
1980Junior Miller, Atl.2429312.25
2010Tony Moeaki, K.C.2428111.72
2023Luke Musgrave, G.B.241988.30
1997Freddie Jones, S.D.2333914.72
1970Dennis Hughes, Pitt.2231314.23
2013Tyler Eifert, Cin.2227012.31
2017George Kittle, S.F.2222810.41
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.222029.22
2007Greg Olsen, Chi.2125512.12
1983Tony Hunter, Buff.2122710.81
2012Coby Fleener, Ind.2122210.60
2000Bubba Franks, G.B.211758.30

The Raiders, of course, are a complete trainwreck. They might have a new coach, new quarterback and new offense next season. But Bowers is looking like he’ll be a key piece of whatever they do.

If we’re looking at tight ends not just for this year but as long-term investments, Bowers is the guy you would pick first at the tight end position. I think there are only two others with the right combination of age, potential and production who could be considered: Trey McBride and Sam LaPorta.

In dynasty rankings, some discounting for age is appropriate. George Kittle is putting up the best tight end numbers in the league right now, but he’s 31 and has a history of injuries, so I’ve pushed him down to 10th. And I’ve got 35-year-old Travis Kelce (who might have only a half season left in his career) down at 11th. Evan Engram and Dallas Goedert are about 30, pushing them out of the top 10. And I’ve got 29-year-olds Hunter Henry and Mark Andrews down closer to 20th.

I turn my attention to dynasty leagues each Saturday during the regular season, rotating between the four notable positions (QB-RB-WR-TE). Unlike our in-season rankings, these are put together on gut feel, rather than on statistical projections. The premise is we’re talking about a 12-team league, with each franchise controlling the rights to players indefinitely. Probably each team rostering about three tight ends. Assuming PPR scoring.

Rookie players are tagged by black dots.

To see previous installments, use the “past issues” navigation tools. (The biggest mover at tight end this time, I believe, is Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft – up to 6th from 19th four weeks ago.)

Last week: Running backs

Next week: Wide receivers

DYNASTY TIGHT END
RkTmPlayerAge
1.LV• Brock Bowers21.9
2.ARITrey McBride24.9
3.DETSam LaPorta23.8
4.CHICole Kmet25.6
5.MINT.J. Hockenson27.3
6.GBTucker Kraft24.0
7.DALJake Ferguson25.8
8.BUFDalton Kincaid25.0
9.ATLKyle Pitts24.1
10.SFGeorge Kittle31.0
11.KCTravis Kelce35.1
12.CLEDavid Njoku28.3
13.JACEvan Engram30.1
14.PHIDallas Goedert29.8
15.BALIsaiah Likely24.5
16.TBCade Otton25.5
17.PITPat Freiermuth26.0
18.NEHunter Henry29.9
19.BALMark Andrews29.1
20.SEANoah Fant26.9
21.NYJTyler Conklin29.2
22.CAR• Ja'Tavion Sanders21.6
23.CIN• Erick All24.1
24.HOUDalton Schultz28.3
25.WAS• Ben Sinnott22.4
26.CINMike Gesicki29.1
27.NYG• Theo Johnson23.7
28.WASZach Ertz34.0
29.GBLuke Musgrave24.1
30.MIAJonnu Smith29.2
31.LACWill Dissly28.3
32.KC• Jared Wiley24.0
33.NOTaysom Hill34.2
34.INDKylen Granson26.6
35.TENChig Okonkwo25.1
36.JACBrenton Strange23.8
37.KCNoah Gray25.5
38.BALCharlie Kolar25.7
39.LARColby Parkinson25.8
40.LVMichael Mayer23.3

—Ian Allan

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