With 2021 fantasy football drafts approaching, here are some deep 2021 fantasy football TE sleepers to draft in the late rounds. We’re focusing on 2021 fantasy football TE sleepers typically selected after Pick 100 in 2021 fantasy football drafts. See which 2021 fantasy tight end sleepers to target for value.
2021 Fantasy Football TE Sleepers: Late-Round Breakout Football Players To Draft
2021 fantasy football ADP for this 2021 fantasy football TE sleepers list comes from Underdog Fantasy, current as of Sunday, June 13.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins (119.6 ADP)
Gesicki is finished as the TE8 in fantasy points per game (PPR) last season, catching 53 of 85 targets for 703 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He’s one of the most athletic tight ends in the league who is entering his age-26 season in an improved offense, making his draft price undervalued at TE12 in Underdog leagues.
Gesicki does not function as a traditional tight end, lining up in the slot on 71.1% of his snaps, which was the highest rate among tight ends last year. Gesicki ran routes on 96.6% of his snaps, which ranked sixth among tight ends with at least 200 routes. He has a fantasy-friendly role in his team’s evolving offense, especially after emerging as one of Tua Tagovailoa‘s top weapons last year.
The Dolphins added a ton of speed this offseason to strengthen their vertical passing game with wide receivers Will Fuller and Jaylen Waddle. Both will help the overall efficiency of this offense, especially Gesicki. Fuller and Waddle will draw coverage downfield, which will open up room for Gesicki in the slot.
The fact that Gesicki is being drafted four spots lower than his season finish despite an improved team situation makes him one of my favorite sleepers available after Pick 100 in redraft leagues. Players like Irv Smith Jr. have no business going ahead of Gesicki.
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Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints (140.7 ADP)
Trautman played a minor role as a rookie last year, catching 15 of 16 targets for 171 receiving yards and one touchdown, but this is a former third-round pick who is slated for an expanded role in his sophomore season.
The Saints allowed wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Jared Cook to depart in free agency, which gives Trautman a clear path to targets. There’s a chance that the second-year tight end out of Dayton becomes the number-two receiving option behind Michael Thomas.
Cook put up 37 receptions, 504 yards, and seven touchdowns in 15 games last season, finishing as the TE21 in fantasy points per game (PPR). Trautman is currently being drafted as the TE15 in Underdog leagues, which makes his price a bit high, but it’s understandable because of his upside and opportunity.
New Orleans needs someone to emerge as the second option behind Thomas, and Trautman looks like the best bet. He’s a talented player who should be able to make an impact in the red zone. Even at a slightly inflated price, Trautman is still a solid fantasy sleeper at tight end.
Adam Trautman could see an expanded role in the Saints’ offense this year (Image: USA Today).
Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots (146.1 ADP)
Smith finished as the TE11 in PPR fantasy points per game last season, catching 41 of 65 targets for 448 receiving yards in 15 games with the Tennessee Titans. He was also one of Ryan Tannehill‘s top end-zone targets, hauling in eight receiving touchdowns and adding another on the ground. Smith is an athletic tight end who is a major weapon in the red zone, which is something the Patriots have lacked since Rob Gronkowski departed.
New England had a busy offseason, signing Smith to a four-year deal worth $50 million before also adding tight end Hunter Henry for three years and $37.5 million. The Pats will have plans for both players, but they signed Smith first and gave him the larger contract, so it seems like he’ll have the bigger role.
The Patriots have had success with two tight ends in the past, and there’s a good chance that happens again with Smith and Henry. Henry has been somewhat injury-prone throughout his career, so Smith could have an even larger presence if Henry misses any time.
New England still profiles as a run-heavy offense as long as Cam Newton‘s under center, but Smith should continue to be a threat in the red zone, especially given Newton’s propensity for short passes. There’s a good chance Smith comes close to his eight touchdowns from last season, making him a good value at TE16 in Underdog leagues.
Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks (167.6 ADP)
Everett finished as the TE30 in fantasy points per game (PPR) last year with the Los Angeles Rams, tallying 41 receptions, 417 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns in 16 games while splitting time with Tyler Higbee at tight end. After signing with the Seahawks in the offseason, Everett has a chance to set career-highs across the board in an enhanced role with his new team.
Everett is entering his age-27 season after eclipsing 400 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. With Jacob Hollister now in Buffalo and Will Dissly failing to make much of an impact last season, Everett appears poised to be the top tight end in Seattle this year. Switching from a run-heavy offense helmed by Jared Goff to a more pass-heavy attack led by Russell Wilson should considerably boost his fantasy numbers as well.
Everett is currently being drafted as TE22 in Underdog leagues right now, making him a great late-round dart throw at tight end. This is an athletic former second-round pick who has yet to realize his potential, but he should take a significant step forward this year given how much Wilson likes to target his tight ends in the red zone.
- See our top 2021 fantasy football sleepers.
More 2021 Fantasy Football TE Sleepers To Watch & Consider
- Evan Engram, New York Giants (134.6 ADP)
- Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (171.9 ADP)
- Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns (179.2 ADP)
For more of The Game Day’s 2021 fantasy football draft tips, listen to our Take The Points podcast with Marcus Mosher and Adam Kramer:
