Fantasy: Which TE prospects have the best chance to become stars?

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Prospect Fantasy Outlooks

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With the 2020 NFL Draft less than a month away, we've had time to go over prospects' game tape, analyze their athletic testing, watch interviews, and more in order to project what their professional careers will look like.

Before we find out how NFL front offices value the incoming rookie class, we can begin translating available information to help us make fantasy decisions, though landing spots will have a major impact in terms of a player's opportunity, draft capital, the coaching he receives, and team culture.

The range of outcomes for college stars entering the pros is vast, so let's take a look at the tight ends with the best chance to become fantasy relevant at the next level.

Star potential

Hunter Bryant, Washington

Unlike last year's stacked class, this crop of tight ends lacks prospects with elite upside.

At 6-foot-2, Bryant doesn't have the prototypical size or length you'd expect from a top-tier NFL tight end, and despite his efforts, he's unlikely to become a reliable blocker. His path to success will be based on his pass-catching abilities.

Bryant has the build of a thick wide receiver, similar to Evan Engram or Jordan Reed, who both represent his best possible outcome in the pros. He's a solid athlete and a quality route-runner capable of pressuring defenses at every level. He averaged 15.9 yards per reception in 2019 - the highest mark among any of the top tight end prospects. Hopefully, Bryant's next team will elect to deploy him from the slot, where he can be a matchup nightmare.

Fantasy outlook: We say this every year, but it warrants repeating that rookie tight ends normally take a couple of years to become fantasy relevant because they require an incubation period to learn the nuances of both receiving and blocking in the NFL.

T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant were elite prospects last season and neither was able to establish himself as a consistent fantasy starter in Year 1. So be patient with Bryant and the rest of the players on this list.

In the right system, Bryant can develop into a starting role while providing top-12 fantasy upside, but he's less equipped than some of the other high-end prospects from recent years.

Standard options

Cole Kmet, Notre Dame
Harrison Bryant, FAU

Kmet has the look of a classic tight end prospect - a big-bodied pass-catching threat who moves well for his size. He has good hands and finishes difficult catches, which is where he'll shine. Unfortunately, Kmet isn't someone you can rely on to gain separation, and he often disappeared when Notre Dame's offense was fully healthy. Anticipating a prolific NFL career is a bit of a stretch considering Kmet only caught 60 passes in college.

Bryant is a solid all-around prospect with impressive pass-catching chops who racked up 148 receptions at Florida Atlantic and led all tight ends with 1,004 yards in 2019. While the offensive scheme helped his cause, he did his fair share by winning in contested situations and generating yards after the catch. Blocking could be an issue in the pros, but the real problem might be a lack of athleticism after his SPARQ score landed in the 18th percentile, according to Player Profiler.

Fantasy outlook: In an uninspiring tight end class, we've already reached the point where we might be talking about backup-caliber talents.

Kmet should garner more interest from NFL franchises and fantasy managers given his untapped potential. Just don't expect much production for a year or two as he refines his skills and adds muscle to his 6-foot-6 frame.

Bryant's numbers are eye-grabbing, but his disappointing athletic profile lowers his pro ceiling, making him an end-of-the-bench dynasty stash at best.

Upside athletes

Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
Adam Trautman, Dayton

Okwuegbunam stole headlines at the combine by running a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-6 and 258 pounds. That's an absurd time for a player his size and puts him among the uber-elite in terms of athleticism. "Albert O" also has an affinity for finding the end zone, reminiscent of George Kittle at Iowa. Kittle scored touchdowns on 21% of his 48 collegiate receptions, while Okwuegbunam crossed the goal line on 23% of his 98 grabs. Even so, he remains a developmental prospect, with plenty of work needed to improve his route running and blocking.

Trautman is another raw athlete with a long way to go toward becoming a star in the pros. His 178 catches, 2,295 yards, and 31 touchdowns over four seasons at Dayton is hard to qualify since it came against a lower level of competition. It's impressive, though, considering he was a quarterback in high school. That explains his inexperience as a route-runner and might also entice NFL teams that believe the best is yet to come.

Fantasy outlook: Players with incomplete skill sets who stand out due to high-level athleticism are often the hardest evaluations. As easy as it is to see them making the leap, there's also the possibility they fail to develop the finer points of their game and struggle against NFL defenders. However, if you're going to take a chance on a risky tight end prospect with a high ceiling and a low floor - at least you know Okwuegbunam and Trautman have top-12 fantasy upside.

Limited ceiling

Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Thaddeus Moss, LSU
Colby Parkinson, Stanford
Jared Pinkney, Vanderbilt

Hopkins is a player most analysts seem to have higher up their rankings heading into the draft. However, his subpar hands resulted in far too many drops and his blocking skills are a letdown for a player whose father, Brad Hopkins, was an NFL offensive lineman.

Moss also comes with family pedigree as the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss. Oddly enough, the younger Moss profiles as more of a blocker than a pass-catching threat at the next level. He should have a long pro career but is unlikely to become a star due to his athletic limitations.

Parkinson's 6-foot-7 frame and Pinkney's technical prowess will put them on scouts' radars, but their best hope of cracking a starting lineup will be as a No. 2 tight end in 12 personnel sets.

Fantasy outlook: Barring a string of injuries on their eventual depth charts, it's doubtful any of these guys become a regular contributor on Sundays. Only consider them in dynasty leagues with sizable benches.

Digging deeper

Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati
Dalton Keene, Virginia Tech
Jacob Breeland, Oregon
Cheyenne O'Grady, Arkansas
Devin Asiasi, UCLA

Deguara is sure to find a role in the league as an athletic and fluid route-runner who can make plays downfield. But even at 23 years old, he lacked the strength to be an effective blocker, which reduces his chances of being a full-time player moving forward.

Keene might have a better pro career than his college production would suggest. He's a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere and flashed very good hands on the minimal targets thrown his way. At worst, he profiles as a special teamer with upside.

Breeland is another Swiss Army knife getting overlooked after a leg injury limited him to just six games in 2019. Prior to getting hurt, Breeland was in the midst of a breakout campaign, averaging four receptions, 68 yards, and a touchdown per outing.

O'Grady is a natural pass-catcher with slow reaction time. However, his off-field issues will be a far more pressing issue than his playing speed.

Asiasi has a phenomenal speed score for a player his size. Though he doesn't have elite skills in any particular area, he's solid in most aspects of the game.

Fantasy outlook: When a tight end prospect is this far down the page, there's a reason he's being overlooked. Keep these players on your watchlist and monitor their progress over the next few seasons.

Prospect Fantasy Outlooks

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends