Fantasy Index

Factoid

Top rookie tight ends

Warren headlines great group

Looking at the Colts for next year, I was reminded what a strong season Tyler Warren just had. And what an unusually strong group of rookies it was last year.

The Colts first-rounder was a top-5 tight end in PPR leagues last year, which was the third year in a row that a rookie had ranked at least that high. Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers ranked No. 1 at the position the previous two seasons. So much for rookie tight ends needing a lot of time to develop.

Not only was Warren 5th, but another rookie (Harold Fannin) was 6th, and Colston Loveland was 12th. Oronde Gadsden was a top-15 player at the position.

Looks like the position is in good hands for the next decade.

Table shows the top 50 seasons by first-round tight ends since 2000. Last column shows how they ranked at the position in their rookie year. The 2025 rookies are in bold.

BEST ROOKIE TIGHT END SEASONS, 2000-PRESENT
YearPlayerTgtNoRecTDPtsRk
2024Brock Bowers, L.V.15311211945262.71
2023Sam LaPorta, Det.1208688910239.31
2025Tyler Warren, Ind.112768175188.55
2025Harold Fannin, Cle.107727317188.46
2021Kyle Pitts, Atl.1106810261176.66
2002Jeremy Shockey, NYG128748942175.43
2017Evan Engram, NYG115647226173.65
2025Colston Loveland, Chi.82587136165.112
2010Rob Gronkowski, N.E.594254610156.611
2021Pat Freiermuth, Pitt.79604977153.713
2023Dalton Kincaid, Buff.91736732152.311
2008John Carlson, Sea.80556275147.77
2010Aaron Hernandez, N.E.64455636142.014
2013Tim Wright, T.B.76545715141.313
2025Oronde Gadsden, LAC69496643133.415
2016Hunter Henry, S.D.53364788131.818
2010Jermaine Gresham, Cin.83524714125.116
2005Heath Miller, Pitt.52394596120.914
2010Tony Moeaki, K.C.73475563120.617
2008Dustin Keller, NYJ78485353119.514
2012Dwayne Allen, Ind.66455213115.625
2013Jordan Reed, Was.59454993114.722
2018Chris Herndon, NYJ56395024113.216
2019Noah Fant, Den.66405623113.015
2002Randy McMichael, Mia.68394854112.39
2018Mark Andrews, Balt.50345523107.217
2013Zach Ertz, Phil.57364694106.923
2017George Kittle, S.F.63435152106.519
2007Zach Miller, Oak.68444443106.416
2015Will Tye, NYG62424643106.425
2017O.J. Howard, T.B.39264326105.220
2004Chris Cooley, Was.63373146104.412
2013Mychal Rivera, Oak.60384074102.724
2006Owen Daniels, Hou.5134352599.214
2022Chig Okonkwo, Ten.4632450397.225
2010Jimmy Graham, N.O.4431356596.927
2001Eric Johnson, S.F.6440362396.215
2013Tyler Eifert, Cin.6039445295.526
2017David Njoku, Cle.6032386494.724
2022Cade Otton, T.B.6542391293.126
2007Greg Olsen, Chi.6639391292.122
2025Gunnar Helm, Ten.5544357291.731
2022Isaiah Likely, Balt.6036373391.327
2018Dallas Goedert, Phil.4433334490.420
2005Alex Smith, T.B.6141367289.719
2025Mason Taylor, NYJ6544369188.932
2022Greg Dulcich, Den.5533411286.130
2002Doug Jolley, Oak.3732409284.918
2014Jace Amaro, NYJ5338345284.524
2013Joseph Fauria, Det.3018207782.732

--Andy Richardson

Older
Newer

Fantasy Index