Heading into 2025, the tight end position isn’t very inspiring for fantasy football, outside of a few elite names at the top. What else is new? The big three of Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack at this position.
Someone else might emerge as a weekly top option, but good luck guessing who it will be. We could see a return to form from former studs like Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews, or a breakout from one of the two first-round rookies, Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Or, we could see someone pull a Jonnu Smith and suddenly find themselves in a perfect situation to be an elite fantasy tight end after a career of mediocre results.
Until we get that breakout (which we might not), we know that tight ends outside of the top three probably aren’t difference-makers. This is what makes streaming tight ends as a strategy so appealing. If you aren’t going to get difference-making production anyway, you might as well wait until the very end of your draft to draft your tight end.
I’ll be testing this approach out in a fantasy football mock draft using the FantasyPros Draft Wizard. I’ll be drafting in a 12-team, half-PPR format, with standard lineup settings. I was randomly assigned the third pick, which was both lucky and unlucky for reasons you will soon understand. Check out the full draft board, and here are a few of my favorite mid-round selections from this recent mock draft.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mid-Round Picks to Target
5.03: Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)
This roster needed a running back, and Tony Pollard fits the bill. We learned just this morning that Tyjae Spears might start the season on injured reserve (IR) thanks to his ankle injury. Pollard was an absolute workhorse in his five games without Spears last year, averaging 22 carries and 17.8 expected half-PPR points per game.
Especially if Cam Ward can elevate this Tennessee offense, Pollard should be able to hold down the RB2 job on this roster.
6.10: Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)
I did consider passing on Tony Pollard, simply because I love a lot of the receivers available in the middle rounds. However, I actually loved so many of them that I was hopeful some would fall to me in the late sixth.
Exactly one did, as Jaylen Waddle is the final receiver in this tier for me. His 2024 was disappointing, but Waddle’s overall resume since entering the NFL is extremely strong. He has multiple paths to smashing, too, whether the Dolphins’ offense returns to form or he overtakes Tyreek Hill to be the team’s top target.
7.03: Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
This was a turn of Jaylen Ws, apparently. Jaylen Warren is competing with rookie Kaleb Johnson (and apparently veteran Kenneth Gainwell). For now, he seems to be the Steelers’ clear lead rusher on early downs. Given that he has consistently been an efficient rusher and a capable pass-catcher, I love Warren’s chances to turn that role into fantasy usability in Arthur Smith’s offense.
8.10: Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)
I faded Kenneth Walker earlier because of reports that Zach Charbonnet was cutting into his role, so I might as well double down on that take by actually drafting Charbonnet. Even if standalone value doesn’t materialize for Charbonnet, he is still a premier handcuff behind the oft-injured Walker.
9.03: Stefon Diggs (WR – NE)
I’ve been slamming Jauan Jennings in this range in drafts all offseason. But the news that he might start the season on IR has me spooked. To be fair, the full article explains that placing Jennings on IR might actually have more to do with his continued holdout than his calf injury; I find it unlikely that the 49ers will go that far. But still, it’s enough for me to instead take Stefon Diggs.
Diggs is 31 and coming off a major injury, but he was actually effective in his stint in Houston prior to his injury. Reports out of New England on his health have been positive, and he has essentially no competition to be the top target for an ascending young quarterback in Drake Maye.
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Ted Chmyz is a fantasy football contributor for FantasyPros.com. Find him on Twitter and Bluesky @Tchmyz for more fantasy content or to ask questions.