Fantasy Football Tight End Draft Steals for 2025: Evan Engram, Tyler Warren and More

Let's continue our fantasy football series on possible draft busts and steals by looking at the tight end position.

We'll look at steal candidates first - check back later for the bust story. We've also looked at wide receivers busts and steals, running back busts and steals and quarterback steals and busts so far.

I'll be using the FantasySP Average Draft Position list for help in identifying some possible steals. I'm going to limit myself to the top-15 tight ends, otherwise I could list a bunch of players.

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George Kittle - 49ers

I feel weird having a star player like Kittle on a draft steal list, but I truly believe he could be a major steal this season. He's the third tight end off draft boards so far, going at pick 43 on average - he's trending down slightly, and if he continues to fall as the season nears, the chances of him being a draft steal just increase.

He was the third fantasy tight end a season ago, but on a per-game basis he was the top tight end. Kittle should have no issues going over 1,000 yards if he's healthy for the whole season. Scoring at least six touchdowns seems like a pretty safe bet as well, and if he can get in the end zone closer to 10 times, he's got a chance to be the top tight end in 2025.

The Niners' offense is one I see bouncing back this season, and Kittle could end up as the top target in the passing game, especially with Brandon Aiyuk coming off a big injury and the team trying to protect Christian McCaffrey better.

Sam LaPorta - Lions

LaPorta is the fourth TE off draft boards and going at pick 59 on average. He regressed from his rookie season to his second one, but that sets him up for a bounceback season in 2025.

LaPorta still scored the eighth-most fantasy points at the position last season, and that was with him playing in 16 games. He still scored seven times, and he showed his upside with 10 scores and nearly 900 yards as a rookie.

As long as LaPorta doesn't see his ADP rise too much between now and the regular season, he could be a great draft value in the sixth or seventh round.

T.J. Hockenson - Vikings 

Hockenson is the No. 6 TE off draft boards so far, going around pick 76 on average. He got in 10 games last season, not excelling, but at least showing he could stick on the field.

He had 960 yards and five scores during a 15-game season in 2023, and that's probably his fantasy ceiling for this upcoming season. If he stays healthy, I see him outperforming his ADP.

Some are worried about him being the No. 3 option on a Vikings' offense with a first-year starting quarterback. I think being the third option will open up some things for Hockenson, and having a young QB could be more checkdowns going to the TE. I think he's going to bounce back and surprise fantasy owners this season.

David Njoku - Browns

Njoku was the No. 4 tight end last season on a per-week basis. He only got in 11 games though, so that crushed his overall numbers.

He's the No. 8 fantasy TE off draft boards so far and is going around pick 91 on average. Njoku's health is a concern, but he could really outperform his ADP by sticking on the field for most of the season.

I think he'll be heavily involved for a Browns' offense searching for playmakers, and it will lead to massive things for the fantasy owners of Njoku.

Evan Engram - Broncos

Engram is the ninth TE off draft boards and going around pick 92 on average. I think he has a chance to shine in Denver.

The Broncos have been searching for a tight end for a while, and he should be one of the better pass-catching options on an offense lacking proven playmakers. He only got in nine games last season, but was a great PPR asset in 2023.

I think he's got a good chance to be near his 2023 numbers while in Denver this season. He could greatly outproduce his ADP, and I'd be all in for trying to land Engram in the middle rounds of a fantasy draft.

Tyler Warren - Colts

Warren is the last tight end I want to discuss as a possible draft steal. He's the No. 12 TE and going at pick 118 on average so far.

Warren will be the starting tight end for the Colts, who have some decent receivers in place, but the only real proven pass catcher is Michael Pittman Jr. The big thing for Warren will be the quarterback (Anthony Richardson Sr. or Daniel Jones) throwing to him.

I think being a tight end in this offense is a possible fantasy goldmine. Warren is ready to play in the NFL and should immediately be a huge part of the team's offensive plan. He might not reach what Brock Bowers did last season, but I think he'll be this year's big breakout rookie tight end.