Fantasy Football TE PP1D Draft Rankings

Last update . Sep 07 . 12:59 PM EDT


#	Player	TM	BYE	FF Pts	ADP12	ADP10	GC	DIF	Rec	RecYdsReceiving	RecTD	Rec1D	Fum
1	Brock Bowers Draft Note Bowers had a terrific rookie campaign, finishing with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns on a whopping 153 targets. The stars aligned early, with Davante Adams traded away and Michael Mayer missing significant time, clearing the runway for Bowers to immediately become the focal point of the Raiders’ passing attack. He handled the volume with ease, showcasing the athleticism and route-running prowess that made him a generational tight end prospect coming out of Georgia. With Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews now in the twilight of their careers, Bowers enters 2025 with a strong case to be the fantasy TE1. He offers elite volume, consistency, and a high floor typically reserved for top-tier wideouts. The arrival of Geno Smith should also provide a boost in quarterback play, potentially improving Bowers' efficiency after a solid (but not spectacular) rookie-season catch rate of 73.2%. In a thinning elite tight end landscape, Bowers stands out as a weekly advantage and should be a second-round pick in most formats. In TE-premium, he's a surefire first-rounder.	LV	8	192	2.05	2.07	1	0	91	1032	5.9	54.4	1
2	George Kittle Draft Note Kittle is coming off an overall TE1 season and will benefit from the absence of Deebo Samuel. Over the past two seasons, when Samuel has been out, Kittle has averaged 5.4-78-0.47 on 6.6 targets per game (in 17 games) versus 3.6-57-0.43 on 5.1 targets per game (in 14 games). That’s the difference between an overall TE1 season and a midrange TE1 finish. The primary concern with Kittle is age/durability, but he’s only missed six games in the last three seasons, and he’s posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 25 touchdown catches in his last three seasons. Thus far, he has shown no signs of slowing down. He averaged an eye-popping 2.62 yards per route run last season and was third in YAC/rec (6.6).	SF	14	191	3.10	4.04	3	1	67	972	7.9	47.8	0
3	Trey McBride Draft Note McBride followed up his 2023 breakout with another highly productive season, catching 111 passes for 1,146 yards in Year 3. While he only scored two touchdowns—bringing his career total to just six on 292 receptions—his elite target share and efficiency keep him firmly in the top tier of fantasy tight ends. He finished third among all tight ends in yards per route run (2.14), just ahead of Brock Bowers, and continues to operate as Kyler Murray’s most trusted target in the Cardinals' passing game. Arizona still lacks serious firepower at wide receiver, which solidifies McBride’s weekly usage. While the lack of touchdowns is frustrating, he’s essentially functioning as a high-floor WR2 from the tight end slot in half- and full-PPR formats. The hope is that positive regression hits in the red zone, and if it does, he has the potential to finish as the overall TE1.	ARI	8	176	3.02	3.06	2	-1	98	978	4.4	53.7	1
4	Sam LaPorta Draft Note LaPorta’s steep decline in targets per game (7.1 to 5.2) in his second season was surprising, as Jameson Williams (91 targets) took over as the team’s No. 2 target. LaPorta will likely settle in as a perennial top 5 fantasy tight end, but perhaps lacks the overall TE1 target upside with a healthy Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the mix. Among tight ends, he finished 11th in YAC/rec and 12th in yards per route run, so the efficiency was there. He finished strong, seeing at least six targets in his final eight games and was the TE5 in that span. Hopefully, we’ll look back on his early-season struggles as just a blip in his career as a fantasy producer.	DET	8	146	5.08	6.06	4	0	62	711	6.5	37.3	0
5	Mark Andrews Draft Note Andrews got off to a painfully slow start in 2024, likely due in part to a preseason car accident that may have lingered into the regular season. Through four weeks, he managed just six catches for 65 yards on nine total targets. But once the season got rolling, so did Andrews. From Week 5 on, he played at a 64-catch, 795-yard, and 14.4-touchdown pace and finished as the fantasy TE5 during that stretch—even while playing just 63% of the snaps and averaging the 20th-most targets per game. That production speaks to his elite red-zone usage and chemistry with Lamar Jackson, but there are red flags. Isaiah Likely continues to push for a larger role, and head coach John Harbaugh publicly challenged Likely to “be an All-Pro” in 2025—something that may not coexist with a high-end fantasy season for Andrews. He turns 30 in September, but tight ends tend to age well, and the fact that Andrews was sixth in yards per route run speaks to his continued production. (Though he was 41st of 44 eligible tight ends in YAC/rec, another red flag.) He remains a strong bet for low-end TE1 numbers with week-winning upside if the touchdowns hold.	BAL	7	128	7.06	8.08	7	2	47	554	7.4	28.9	0
6	T.J. Hockenson Draft Note Hockenson returned from ACL/MCL surgery in Week 9 and was a serviceable but uninspiring fantasy option the rest of the way. In 10 games played, he failed to find the end zone and averaged just 7.1 half-PPR points per game, a midrange TE2 pace. That’s a far cry from his 2023 output (95 catches for 960 yards), and it remains to be seen if he can return to that level post-injury. The good news: He plays in a strong Kevin O’Connell offense, and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy appears ready to run the show. The volume should be there, but whether Hockenson can capitalize hinges on his ability to recapture his pre-injury explosiveness and red zone involvement. He has top-5 upside, but with a TE5 ADP, there’s not a ton of value baked in—making him a slightly risky pick for drafters hoping for a full bounce-back.	MIN	6	122	6.08	7.08	5	-1	60	619	4.6	33.6	0
7	David Njoku Draft Note Njoku missed six games in 2024 and has missed 11 games in the last four years. Otherwise, he’s been a great fantasy asset in Cleveland despite some suspect quarterback play. He was the TE5 on a per-game basis in 2024 while garnering the third-most targets per game (8.8) at his position. One way or another, I expect the QB play in Cleveland to improve, and that should benefit Njoku along with everyone else.	CLE	9	121	8.06	9.10	8	1	69	565	5.4	33.1	1
8	Tucker Kraft Draft Note He finished TE8 in his second season and is primed for another leap in production if he can earn a larger role in the offense. But that’s the problem with drafting Packer receivers–Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love spread the ball around so much it’s tough to count on anyone in a given week. But Kraft led the position in yards after contact and broken tackles per catch, so he’s got the talent to join the top 5. He should finish TE8 again at a minimum, barring injury. LaFleur agrees, saying, “if there’s an area we gotta do a better job on, I would say featuring the tight end.”	GB	5	120	9.05	11.01	11	3	43	543	6.5	27.6	0
9	Dallas Goedert Draft Note Goedert is entering his age-30 season, but that’s not a major concern for tight ends, who often age more gracefully than backs or receivers. The bigger issue is his health—he’s missed 15 games over the last three years. When on the field, however, he has consistently played at a low-end TE1 pace. Goedert believes that new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will unlock more of his game, saying, “What he sees in me in different ways that he’s going to get me the ball I’m really excited for.” There’s reason for optimism: Goedert was second among tight ends in yards per route run and sixth in YAC per reception last year, which suggests he’s been underutilized in Philly’s offense and is capable of significantly more production if the volume rises. He’s a potential value in the middle rounds for drafters willing to bet on better health and a more prominent role.	PHI	9	119	11.08	13.08	15	6	60	676	2.8	35.7	0
10	Travis Kelce Draft Note The warning signs were there in 2023, and they materialized in 2024. Kelce posted career-lows in receiving yards, touchdowns, YAC per reception, and yards per route run—clear indicators that age may finally be catching up to the future Hall of Famer. Even so, Kelce still finished as the TE6 overall and was the TE8 on a per-game basis, so while the days of him lapping the field at the position may be over, he remains a viable low-end TE1. With Rashee Rice back and Xavier Worthy emerging, there’s more competition for targets than in recent years, but Kelce still plays in a high-functioning offense with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. He’s no longer a positional cheat code, but he’s a solid veteran option for those who wait until the middle rounds to draft a tight end.	KC	10	117	6.09	7.09	6	-4	75	638	2.9	36.9	1

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Who has the best Points Per First Down rankings?

4for4 equips you with the tools to dominate any scoring format. Their rankings are renowned for accuracy and consistency, a fact underscored by John Paulsen's multiple "Most Accurate Expert" awards and consistent top finishes.

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What is the best draft position in Points Per First Down drafts?

While there isn't a single "magic" draft position in point-per-first-down (PPFD) leagues, aiming for the top half of the first round can give you a strong foundation. Securing a workhorse back who excels at churning out yards and catching passes is still a great strategy. Think dual-threat back like Christian McCaffrey, who racks up first downs consistently, or a high-volume wideout like Tyreek Hill or CeeDee Lamb. Drafting at the back end of the draft can also be helpful to be able to select two higher-volume players back to back.

What is the best draft strategy for Points Per First Down drafts?

Conquer your PPFD league with a strategy that prioritizes first-down machines! Early rounds should focus on securing a consistent running back who excels at churning out yards and catching passes. Think dual-threat backs like Christian McCaffrey or receiving threats like Alvin Kamara. Don't forget quarterbacks who lead high-volume passing attacks. Guys like Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts can rack up first downs through the ground and air.

The beauty of PPFD? Opportunity beyond the usual suspects. Mid-to-late rounds can be a goldmine for wide receivers who see a steady stream of targets in pass-happy offenses. Think Diontae Johnson or George Pickens. Even tight ends like George Kiltte can be valuable with their high catch rates. Remember, volume is king in PPFD. Don't be afraid to target players who might not be the flashiest scorers in standard leagues, but consistently move the chains for their teams. By focusing on consistent first-down producers across all positions, you'll be well on your way to dominating your PPFD draft.

What is Points Per First Down ADP?

In point-per-first-down (PPFD) leagues, ADP (Average Draft Position) reveals the average round where fantasy managers are targeting players who consistently move the chains. Tracking PPFD ADP trends can help you predict when your first-down machines might be off the board, allowing you to strategize your picks and snag hidden gems before they're gone. It's basically a sneak peek into the minds of your fellow drafters, giving you a critical edge on draft day, especially since PPFD scoring can alter player values compared to standard leagues.

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What is the best first-round pick in Points Per First Down Drafts?

The ideal first-round pick in a PPFD draft depends on your risk tolerance. Here are two approaches to consider:

The Safe Choice: Go for a proven workhorse running back like Christian McCaffrey or an elite receiver like CeeDee Lamb. These guys are first-down machines, churning out yards and catching passes consistently. While this strategy offers a solid foundation, it might not be the most exciting.

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Ultimately, the best choice comes down to personal preference and draft board dynamics. Analyze ADP trends (if available) to see how these players are valued and draft the player who best fits your overall strategy. Remember, the key is maximizing first-down production, so be flexible and don't be afraid to break the mold if the opportunity arises.