The NFL Playoffs begin this weekend, which means that the 2022 fantasy football season has officially come to an end. When it comes to the tight end position, there aren’t many top options that return solid value to fantasy managers but, as always, players emerge on the waiver wire and end up finishing much higher than their initial average draft position (ADP) indicated. Aside from any waiver wire gems and value picks that pushed teams in the right direction, there were some huge busts that were expected to perform at a much higher level than their final season stats indicate.
Let’s take a look at the awards at the tight end position this year: most valuable player, biggest bust, waiver wire winner, best value pick and best 2023 fantasy football keeper pick.
MVP: awarded to the player that finished with the most fantasy points and brought the most consistent value to his fantasy managers throughout the season.
Biggest Bust: awarded to the player that was touted as a top fantasy football option entering the season but ultimately did not produce enough to support his high ADP.
Waiver Wire Winner: awarded to the player that either had a very late ADP or went undrafted in the majority of fantasy football leagues that emerged on the waiver wire during the season and provided excellent value for fantasy managers.
Best Value Pick: awarded to the player that finished the season much higher than their initial ADP indicated but still was regarded high enough that they were rostered on most fantasy squads. In other words, the biggest steal.
Best 2023 Fantasy Football Keeper: awarded to the player that, based on his ADP and season production, would be the best option for keeper leagues next year. We are assuming you get to keep this player in the round they were drafted.
Fantasy Football Awards
Fantasy Football Awards 2022 | Tight Ends
Fantasy Football MVP: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
Stats: 110 receptions, 1338 yards, 12 TDs
Fantasy Point Total: 316.3 points (TE1)
As expected, this was not even close. Travis Kelce finished 101 fantasy points ahead of the next-best option (T.J. Hockenson: 215.4 fantasy points) and averaged over five more points per game than the next-best option (George Kittle: 13.37). The fantasy managers that stayed true to their draft strategy and prioritized drafting Kelce benefitted immensely.
Kelce was the first tight end taken off the board in nearly every single draft prior to the season, while the next two options off the board were Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts. There’s always joking chatter about taking Kelce first overall because it’s so hard to find consistency at the position, but he sure makes a solid case for it at this point. The loss of Tyreek Hill in the Chiefs’ offense did not slow them down by any means, and Kelce proved he is the main playmaker in that offense.
Biggest Bust: Kyle Pitts, Falcons
Stats: 28 receptions, 356 yards, 2 TDs
Fantasy Point Total: 75.6 (TE33)
This fantasy football award shouldn’t be too surprising for fantasy managers. Kyle Pitts has been highly regarded since being drafted fourth overall in 2021, but injuries and a lackluster passing attack hindered his production heavily.
Pitts posted an impressive 68-1026-1 receiving line in his rookie season, which is the main reason fantasy managers were so attracted to his sophomore campaign. However, he suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Week 11, cutting his season short. His ADP was 31.6 overall and he was the third tight end taken behind only Kelce and Andrews, but finished as the 33rd overall tight end in fantasy football behind players like Will Dissly, both Tennessee Titans tight ends, and Mike Gesicki.
If there are any positives from this season for Kyle Pitts, he caught four touchdowns in just 10 games compared to just one his rookie season, proving Atlanta finally realized they can use their uber-athletic 6’6″ tight end in the red zone.
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Waiver Wire Winner: Evan Engram, Jaguars
Stats: 73 receptions, 766 yards, 4 TDs
Fantasy Point Total: 176.9 (TE5)
There were a few options that could’ve overtaken Evan Engram for this fantasy football award, but he posted career-highs in receptions and receiving yards. His production started off very slow, but the target share was promising and the main reason fantasy managers were monitoring him or even stashing him hoping for a breakout game.
Engram caught his first touchdown in Week 8 against a solid Denver defense, but he disappeared for three weeks again before finally breaking out and posting consistent performances. He jumped multiple players with his monster Week 14 performance of 39.2 fantasy points, where he caught 11-of-15 targets for 162 yards and two touchdowns. Prior to the season, his ADP sat around 312 overall or the No. 22 tight end, but he finished the season as the TE5 and returned excellent value.
Evan Engram’s breakout combined with his consistency around fantasy playoffs time is enough evidence for me to give him the waiver wire fantasy football award.
Best Value Pick: T.J. Hockenson, Vikings
Stats: 86 receptions, 914 yards, 6 TDs
Fantasy Point Total: 215.4 (TE2)
This was by far the most enticing option for the best value pick of the season. T.J. Hockenson was already performing at a high level, but he received a significant boost once he was traded to the Vikings. He surpassed 35 fantasy points in two separate games this season and only posted single-digits in four games with Minnesota. Considering Hockenson’s ADP was TE13 behind players like Dawson Knox and Zach Ertz and he finished as the TE2 and 15 fantasy points ahead of the next-best option, he is easily the best value pick this season.
He maintained elite fantasy status when he was featured in an offense with the fantasy football WR MVP Justin Jefferson, so it’s safe to say Hockenson’s ADP will be much higher next year.
Best 2023 Fantasy Football Keeper: David Njoku, Browns
Stats: 58 receptions, 628 yards, 4 TDs
Fantasy Point Total: 142.0 (TE11)
This was a hard decision. Engram could’ve gotten this fantasy football award based on his situation in a rising Jaguars offense and his ADP, but David Njoku’s situation could be just as good. He will easily retain his significant role in the Cleveland Browns‘ offense heading into next season, and it’ll only get better the more Deshaun Watson gets accustomed to the scheme.
Njoku’s ADP was 152.5 and TE17 overall. His injury concerns were the primary reason for his late draft position, and he missed three games this season, but fantasy managers can take advantage of this heading into next year’s fantasy football keeper leagues. He posted double-digit performances six times with four of those coming while Jacoby Brissett was under center, but it’s worth noting he caught two touchdowns in five games with Watson.
