NFL Fantasy Football 2025 Mid-Round Value Picks: Tight Ends

Over the past couple weeks we highlighted the best value picks for the running back, wide receiver and quarterback positions in NFL fantasy all throughout NFL drafts. We are finally at the last skill position of NFL fantasy drafts, the position that can be overlooked but one that can set your team apart, the tight end. Now we all know the big three tight ends, Bowers, Kittle and McBride. And while these three can be thought more as an extra wide receiver on your roster, there’s almost no point in highlighting them. All three are worthy of an early pick in the first four rounds, but know it could mean your WR/RB positions are less deep. So we are going to jump right to the mid and late rounds in our series of NFL fantasy picks for the tight end position.

This will become an ongoing series where I highlight players who REEK of value in fantasy drafts. We aren’t talking about grabbing Ja’Marr Chase with the first overall pick, but instead we are going to be finding gems and value. Each article will feature a position within a range of draft rounds (we will always skip the first round). We will assume that these picks are for 12-team leagues with .5 PPR and will not be discussing in terms of Superflex. On top of that, I’ll highlight a futures bet that corresponds with each player, all of whose odds can be found on BetOnline.

So without further ado, let’s kick it off with NFL fantasy football 2025 mid-round value picks: the tight ends. It’s mock draft season baby!!!

1. NFL Fantasy Round 5 Value Tight Ends: TJ Hockenson

If I can’t get a big three TE I most likely wont be selecting one until much later in drafts. However, there is one TE that I would be willing to grab before round 9 if I don’t snatch one of Bowers, McBride or Kittle. TJ Hockenson has finished as top 5 in the tight end position three times, 50% of his playing career. All three times he has finished this high in his position he played 15 games or more. His three finishes outside of the top 5 have all come from seasons where he played 12 or fewer games. This is a player with a great NFL fantasy floor and even better ceiling, just be prepared to have a back up.

Tight ends in fantasy can be boom-or-bust, but Hockenson has consistently broken that mold. Since joining the Vikings, he’s been a target magnet, ranking near the top of the league in tight end targets and receptions. He had over 100 targets in his three top 5 finishes with over 80 receptions in two of those.

Quarterbacks love him because he gets open in the short-to-intermediate game, providing a dependable safety valve. Fantasy managers love him because those steady 6–9 target games translate into consistent weekly production. In Round 5, you’re getting a player who can lock down the tight end position and give you a high weekly floor. And this could be especially true this year with “rookie” JJ McCarthy at the helm. Young quarterbacks often lean on their tight ends as safety blankets, especially in high-pressure situations like third downs and red-zone plays.

Round 5 is the sweet spot where Hockenson’s value truly shines. By then, you’ve likely secured your running backs, wide receivers, and maybe even a quarterback. Adding Hockenson at this point gives you a top-tier tight end without the early-round cost of Travis Kelece, Sam LaPorta, or Mark Andrews.

He’s the perfect blend of safety and upside, making him an ideal mid-round pick for building a balanced, championship-caliber roster.

TJ Hockenson 5+ receiving touchdowns +125 on BetOnline:

I absolutely love this prop at plus money. Hockenson has hit this prop in three times, only missing his rookie season, his 12 game season (4 TD’s) and last year (zero TD’s). Talk about buying the dip. With JJ McCarthy at the helm, Hockenson could become one of his favorite red zone targets, especially if the young QB struggles with the deep ball. And while Hockenson only has a career high of 6 receiving touchdowns, I’m willing to sprinkle 8+ TD’s for +500.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

2. NFL Fantasy Round 9 Value Tight Ends: Dalton Kincaid

As you can see there is a big jump section of rounds I am just not willing to draft tight ends in. Kelce in the 6th round holds some value, but I’ld rather be snatching up a flex position here, and I just do not trust Jonnu Smith or Mark Andrews in rounds 7 and 8 enough to draft them. So here we are in Round 9 where there are some tasty TE options for NFL fantasy picks, and my favorite is Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills.

The third year is historically when young tight ends take a big step forward — and Kincaid fits the mold perfectly. As a rookie in 2023, he showed promise but played behind Dawson Knox in certain packages. By 2024, he had emerged as one of Josh Allen’s most trusted targets, especially in the red zone and on critical third downs. Now in 2025, he’s entering the prime window for a breakout season: established chemistry with Allen, a full grasp of the offense, and a growing role as the centerpiece of Buffalo’s passing game.

One of the biggest advantages Kincaid has is catching passes from Josh Allen, one of the NFL’s most dominant quarterbacks. While Allen has always leaned on Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis in the past, the offense has shifted to incorporate Kincaid as a chain-moving, mismatch-creating weapon.Allen’s improvisational style also benefits Kincaid, who thrives at finding soft spots in coverage when plays break down. That rapport gives Kincaid not only a high floor (steady targets) but also a high ceiling (multiple touchdown weeks).

Consistency is key in fantasy, and Kincaid offers it. He’s not the type of player who disappears for weeks at a time — his target share ensures he’ll give you steady points. But more importantly, his athleticism and red-zone usage give him the ability to explode for 20+ point weeks, the kind of difference-making upside that wins matchups.

Few tight ends outside of the elite tier can boast that combination, which is why he’s such a strong NFL fantasy pick.

Dalton Kincaid regular season receiving yards o575.5 -115 on BetOnline:

Kincaid crushed this line in his rookie season, racking up 673 receiving yards. Last season he took a step back, with only 448 receiving yards in an injury plagued season where he missed four games and struggled to find a groove. In fact there are reports citing that Kincaid had nagging injuries throughout the season. Now in his third season and the Bills still without a true alpha target, Kincaid has the chance to be the “Kelce” of the Bills offense. This feels like a slam dunk NFL best bet.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

3. NFL Fantasy Round 9 Value Quarterbacks: Evan Engram

By the time your fantasy draft reaches Round 9, you’re usually choosing between high-risk sleepers or veteran depth. That’s why Evan Engram, now with the Denver Broncos, is such an intriguing option for 2025. The move west gives him a fresh start in a new system, and his combination of athleticism, experience, and opportunity makes him one of the most underrated tight end picks in NFL fantasy this year.

Sean Payton has a long history of maximizing versatile tight ends, from Jimmy Graham in New Orleans to finding creative roles for players like Taysom Hill. Engram’s athletic profile — essentially a wide receiver in a tight end’s body — fits perfectly in a scheme that thrives on mismatches and designed opportunities.In Denver, Engram can be moved around the formation, lined up in the slot, or even outside. That versatility makes him a prime candidate for steady targets, especially with the Broncos still reshaping their passing game.

Round 9 is where savvy drafters can find difference-makers. Engram isn’t going in the early rounds with the elite names, but he has the potential to return top-8 tight end production without the premium price. His weekly floor is bolstered by receptions and yardage rather than being purely touchdown-dependent. In Round 9, getting that level of stability at tight end is a huge win, freeing you from the constant waiver-wire shuffle.

Evan Engram regular season receiving yards o575.5 -110 on BetOnline:

Bo Nix was able to support many targets in his rookie season, however he didn’t have a reliable tight end to dominate the short game. Now with Engram in the ranks, both Nix and Payton may find ways to utilize his speed. He was called an “elite receiver” by his offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi just two days ago, hinting that Engram could be a huge part of this offense. Just two seasons ago he put up 963 receiving yards and has hit this prop 5 times in his career. This feels like another safe season long prop.

Get 50% up to $750 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

Interested in More Content?

More NFL Content on Betting News:

• NFL Expert Betting Guide
• Top 3 Wide Receiver Picks for Fantasy Football
• Mid-Round Value Picks for Fantasy Football: Wide Receivers
• Late-Round Value Picks for Fantasy Football: Running Backs
• Early-Round Running Back Picks for Fantasy Football
• Mid-Round Running Back Picks for Fantasy Football
• Late-Round Running Back Picks for Fantasy Football
• Early-Round Quarterback Picks for Fantasy Football
• Mid-Round Quarterback Picks for Fantasy Football
• Late-Round Quarterback Picks for Fantasy Football

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