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Top 5 dynasty league tight ends from the 2019 NFL draft

By Nicholas McGee

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Noah Fant of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #20 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Noah Fant of Iowa poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen #20 overall by the Denver Broncos during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Rookie tight ends do not often make an immediate impact in the NFL, but this list of the top dynasty options is headlined by players who could.

The tight end position has been a difficult one to gauge for fantasy players in recent times. Unless you have been lucky enough to own one of Travis Kelce, George Kittle or Zach Ertz it has been tough to find players who produce consistently.

Traditionally rookie tight ends struggle to make an immediate impact but this year’s crop was seen as one of the better classes of the past few years and should offer hope to dynasty players looking for help at that spot.

Not all of them will be significant contributors right away, but there is enough talent in this group for tight ends to come off the board early in dynasty drafts. Here we look at the top five who should be targeted.

SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to get past Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers during the second half in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide looks to get past Nolan Turner #24 of the Clemson Tigers during the second half in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. Irv Smith Jr. – Minnesota Vikings

Despite being selected in the top 50 picks, what role Smith will have as a rookie is a mystery, with his status in the Vikings offense complicated by the extension Kyle Rudolph signed this offseason, which will keep the two-time Pro Bowler with Minnesota through 2023.

No rookie comes into the league as the finished article, but the Vikings committing to Rudolph when many thought he may be traded could be a reflection of just how far Smith has to come. He was an inconsistent catcher of the football at Alabama and still has a lot of development to do as a route runner.

Rudolph’s presence on the roster gives the Vikings a reliable veteran at tight end and means rookie opportunities could be limited for Smith in an offense that also features one of the league’s best wide receiver duos in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Though he will turn 30 during the 2019 season, Rudolph has remained a pivotal and productive part of the Minnesota offense and how quickly dynasty players see a return on a potential investment in Smith hinges on how quickly he can prove he provides higher upside and dependability. Patience will be required for dynasty players that use a draft pick on Smith.

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