The start of the 2021 NFL season is rapidly approaching, and right along with it comes the return of fantasy football. Drafts will be happening around the clock over the next several days in preparation for the season ahead. While it is vital to treat fantasy football drafts as a living organism of sorts and make appropriate adjustments in the moment, owners can set themselves up for success by formulating a plan of attack beforehand. The following pits two tight ends head-to-head in a fantasy football ADP value battle. Read on to see whether George Kittle or Logan Thomas is the preferred TE1 target in fantasy drafts at their current ADP values.
George Kittle vs Logan Thomas Fantasy Football ADP Value Battle
Note: All ADPs and ranks reflect a 12-team, PPR draft format
George Kittle Fantasy ADP: 3.05
ADP Position Rank: 3
Overall Rank: 31
Last season was a disappointing one for the San Francisco 49ers. Coming off of a trip to the Super Bowl, the team was ravaged by injuries on both sides of the ball right out of the gates. Among the players affected was star tight end, George Kittle. Given his fantasy football ADP and the hefty amount of draft capital owners were required to pay for him last season, it was rare to see many teams who rostered Kittle find much success. Fortunately, Kittle is once again at full strength heading into the 2021 NFL fantasy season. While his ADP has dropped slightly from a season ago, he once again commands a high draft pick.
After back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and ‘19, injuries and missed time did Kittle in last season. He appeared in just eight games for the 49ers all year. The eight games he missed were six more than the two he missed in the previous two seasons combined. Lack of reps naturally saw a major drop in fantasy football production. Kittle finished 2020 with just 634 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 48 receptions. Another factor fantasy managers must consider this year is the 49ers’ QB situation. While veteran Jimmy Garoppolo will start the year under center, there is the possibility that rookie Trey Lance gets a shot. Might Kittle, who already has a strong rapport with Garoppolo, suffer should the rookie signal-caller take over the offense?
Logan Thomas Fantasy ADP: 6.09
ADP Position Rank: 7
Overall Rank: 69
Despite having an ADP over three rounds later than that of Kittle, Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas is still very much a TE1 in fantasy this season. The significant gap between where the two are going in drafts reflects the options that owners have when looking to fill the position in their lineups. A former Virginia Tech quarterback, Thomas took the NFL fantasy world by storm last season, his first in Washington. Even though he was playing in a poor offense with sub-par quarterback play, Thomas proved to be a late-round steal, particularly in PPR leagues. In most leagues, he wasn’t even drafted and instead picked up off of waivers during the season.
Although Thomas finished 2020 with a yardage total comparable to Kittle’s, his 72 receptions set him apart in PPR fantasy football scoring formats. The 30-year-old totaled 670 yards and six touchdowns on those receptions. He was particularly effective in the back half of the season. Many fantasy managers undoubtedly rode Thomas to positive results in the Fantasy Playoffs. Thomas’ ability to line up as both a tight end and slot receiver gives the Football Team flexibility in how they deploy him. Expectations for the Washington offense are higher this year after the team signed veteran QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in the offseason. Thomas figures to once again be a primary target alongside Terry McLaurin in D.C.
Final Verdict
Barring injury, it’s almost guaranteed that George Kittle will turn in a more productive season than he did a year ago. However, his fantasy football ADP is pretty rich given some of the concerns. Perhaps the biggest of which is another injury. The debate as to whether Kittle is in fact “injury-prone” is very real after last season. Add in a potential midseason quarterback change and Kittle’s fantasy production could be further impacted. Finally, the 49ers do have a pair of talented young wideouts in Brandon Qiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Given the run-first approach the San Francisco offense takes, it’s fair to question whether Kittle gets the same number of targets as he has in years prior.
The same target concern can be raised with regard to Logan Thomas this season as well. In addition to Terry McLaurin, Washington brought in veteran slot receiver Curtis Samuel in the offseason. Whether the presence of a third legit pass-catcher helps or hinders Thomas remains to be seen. What is known for certain is that having a pure gunslinger under center in Ryan Fitzpatrick will be a plus. Thomas’ versatility in the offense should once again pay dividends when it comes to fantasy production. With so many question marks surrounding Kittle, a third-round pick is probably better spent on a stud RB or WR. Taking Thomas to be your TE1 further down the line makes much more sense in this fantasy football ADP value battle.
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