With the tight end position being exceptionally deep this year, there’s no reason to gamble on players with significant red flags. Below, I dove into why these five TE Busts are players that you should avoid in fantasy football, with some talented high-upside options available around them.
Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert, once a reliable fantasy tight end, has seen his stock plummet. In 2024, he played a career-low 10 games due to injuries. He managed only 38 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns, his lowest output since his rookie year. The Philadelphia Eagles’ passing offense prioritizes wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, who combined for over 200 targets last season. Meanwhile, Goedert ranked 20th in tight ends in route participation and 16th in ADOT.
Goedert, now 30 years old, has never exceeded five touchdowns in a season, and persistent trade rumors suggest that his days may be numbered in Philly. His target share has dwindled, with only 58 targets in 2024, and the Eagles’ passing game remains volatile week to week. Instead of relying on Goedert’s past production, consider younger options like Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland, who are valued around the same level as Goedert. Avoid Goedert for higher upside options, as his injury history and declining role make him a risky pick.
Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews has been a favorite at the tight end position for years, but had an inconsistent 2024 season. A slow start led some managers to drop him early, but he rebounded to finish as the TE6, posting 54 receptions for 720 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns. Andrews saw a significant decrease in his playing time last season, resulting in the 22nd-ranked route participation among tight ends at 58.3%. This resulted in his expected fantasy points last season being much lower than his actual points per game last year, which will lead to regression.
His volatility and injury concerns (7 games missed in the last three years) at 30 years old have me concerned that his best days are ahead of him. Furthermore, Isaiah Likely, a rising star due for a contract extension in 2026, has been praised by coach John Harbaugh as a potential All-Pro, potentially leading to more of Likely this year. Andrews is currently priced at the TE7 this season and is one of the more volatile players on the draft board this year.
Dalton Kincaid – Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid, a first-round pick in 2023, was expected to leap forward without Stefon Diggs last season but was one of the biggest busts from last year’s draft. He finished with 44 receptions for 465 yards and four touchdowns, as his catch rate dropped from 80% in his rookie year to 58%. Kincaid has struggled separating with a 33rd-ranked separation rate while having invaluable targets within the Bills offense that forced him to finish at 1.34 points per target, which was 36th among tight ends.
In Joe Brady’s offense, the Buffalo Bills spread targets across multiple players, including wide receiver Khalil Shakir (65 receptions in 2024) and running back James Cook, who is heavily involved in the passing game (43 receptions). Josh Allen has never targeted tight ends at a high rate, with Kincaid averaging just 4.5 targets per game last season. The Bills’ passing volume has also declined under Brady, and their 2025 strength of schedule for tight ends ranks 26th, further dimming Kincaid’s outlook. At 25, he’s still young, but this year does not feel like much will change for the third-year tight end.
Cade Otton – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cade Otton’s 2024 breakout was a product of circumstance, as Chris Godwin’s injury opened the door for increased targets. Otton finished with 55 receptions for 590 yards and four touchdowns, but his production was volatile. Despite ranking 1st among tight ends in snap share, Otton had the 28th highest target rate and 29th highest ADOT among tight ends last year. The Bucs offense with Baker Mayfield has never prioritized the tight end position, although that could change with Josh Grizzard at offensive coordinator.
In 2025, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers boast one of the NFL’s deepest receiver rooms, with Godwin returning, Mike Evans, and Jalen McMillan returning with the addition of 1st round pick Emeka Egbuka. The backfield, featuring Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, has also received good passing volume over the last few seasons. With a talented group around him and a rare chance at consistency, Otton will be a TE bust this year in fantasy football.
Mike Gesicki – Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Gesicki enjoyed a resurgent 2024 with the Cincinnati Bengals, finishing as the TE13 with 49 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns, including a TE1 performance in one week. However, his production was heavily tied to games where Tee Higgins was absent. With Higgins on the field, Gesicki averaged 4.9 targets per game; without him, he averaged 5.2 catches.
The Bengals’ offense revolves around their stars at the wide receiver position and behind their new bell-cow back in Chase Brown. Gesicki’s ceiling is capped when the full cast is healthy. Despite the resurgence in points, Gesicki’s target share of 13.2% was the highest since 2021. This mark still puts him at 25th among tight ends in target share, which is uninspiring. At 30 years old, Gesicki is unlikely to repeat his 2024 season. Avoid Gesicki in favor of tight ends with clearer paths to consistent targets, as his role in Cincinnati’s stacked offense limits his fantasy viability, making him another one of my TE Busts.
