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Are You Overrating These Rookie Tight Ends in Dynasty?

Locking in Elite Young Talent Changes Your Roster

Last year, we highlighted Brock Bowers as a dynasty buy after Week 2. He was a “buy high” at the time, but his value climbed as the season went on. Now he sits equal to A.J. Brown on our dynasty trade value chart. 

Buying productive rookies in their first few games can deliver both immediate production and long-term upside in one player.

That’s especially true at one-off positions such as TE or QB. Locking down an elite option not only pushes you into contention but also secures a young starter for years to come.

Rookie TEs Struggle Early, But Two Stand Out

The 2025 rookie TE class was praised for standout talent and athletic upside. Two went inside the top 14 of the NFL Draft, and six among the top 67 picks.

So far, PPR fantasy production has been disappointing. Most of the top six have failed to make an impact through three weeks:

Warren and Fannin stand out as the only useful fantasy options so far.

Warren’s early success was expected after he went 14th overall. Fannin, a third-round pick, was projected to sit behind David Njoku as a rookie but carved out an immediate role in Cleveland’s offense.

Both have been productive, but the question is whether they’re worth buying in dynasty right now.

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Warren ranks third in our dynasty TE Rankings, one tier below Brock Bowers and Trey McBride. He posted 14 catches for 193 yards in the first three games, though he hasn’t scored yet.

Looking at his full profile helps reveal where his future value might go.

Warren’s Versatility Helped Him Break Through

Warren managed just 15 catches over his first two college seasons but began to emerge in his third year.

A 34-477-7 receiving line put him on NFL radars and set the stage for a breakout. He delivered in Year 4 with 104 catches, 1,233 yards, and 8 TDs. He also ran 26 times, mostly as a Wildcat QB, for 218 yards and 4 TDs. On top of that, he attempted six passes, including one touchdown.

Penn State’s use of Warren as a multifaceted weapon impressed the NFL, but his fantasy profile showed some concerns.

According to Player Profiler, his breakout age of 21.3 ranks in the 39th percentile. A late breakout doesn’t doom a player, but it raises questions about why he wasn’t featured earlier.

Warren played behind TEs Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson in 2021 and 2022, then split time with Johnson in 2023. Neither is a star, but both are NFL starters.

When Warren finally got his chance, he produced. That success has carried into the NFL.

Warren’s YAC Ability Driving Rookie-Year Success

The Colts’ offense has been a surprise, ranking fifth in passing yards and tied for fourth in total TDs through three weeks.

Daniel Jones has revived the passing game, and Warren has emerged as an excellent short-range target who adds yards after the catch.

He’s tied for second in the league in yards after catch per reception (9.6). He also leads all TEs -- and all rookies -- in YAC per reception above expectation (1.7).

Warren’s usage inline, out wide, and in the screen game highlights his versatility. He should keep producing in PPR formats, with even more upside as he develops.

Film Shows How Colts Are Unlocking Warren’s Skill Set

Warren’s first NFL catch shows that the Colts already know how to maximize his talent.

This flood concept puts Warren in the flat on a delayed route. He fakes a block, turns quickly for the pass, and shows the athleticism to get upfield and evade the defender.

His explosiveness and physicality help him rack up YAC, a defining part of his game so far.

The screen game that worked at Penn State has carried over to the NFL. Warren follows blocks with patience, letting his lead blocker clear the lane. He keeps moving after initial contact, adding six more yards. His mix of acceleration and patience reading blocks make him dangerous on these plays.

Warren also provides a downfield option. On this leak concept, he finds the soft spot between the shallow zone and the safety, giving Jones a clean window. He absorbs contact and holds on.

He hasn’t scored yet, but plays like the leak and screen show his potential. The touchdowns will come.

Now’s the Time to Secure Warren Before He Joins the Elite Tier

Despite ranking as our No. 3 dynasty TE, Warren is still a buy. His hands and all-around skill set have been on display from his first game and should only grow.

By season’s end, Warren could join Brock Bowers and Trey McBride in the top tier at the position. If that happens, now is the time to grab him at a discount.

In PPR, Warren carries a trade value of 38 on our Dynasty Trade Value Charts, equal to WRs DK Metcalf and George Pickens. 

Moving either of them to lock down a long-term TE solution in Warren is worth it. Building a trade with our Trade Navigator using 2026 picks to buy Warren now secures an elite TE for both the short and long term.

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Fannin currently ranks seventh among dynasty TEs, in the same tier as Dalton Kincaid and T.J. Hockenson. At only 21 years old, he offers more long-term value than the veterans around him.

Fannin has 15 catches for 136 yards through the first three games but hasn’t scored yet. Fannin also continues to be outsnapped by veteran David Njoku. So should we get excited about the numbers or pump the brakes?

Looking at his full profile may reveal more about his outlook.

Record-Breaking College Career Put Fannin on the Map

Fannin was barely recruited out of high school before committing to Bowling Green. He climbed the depth chart quickly, though, becoming the backup by the third game of his freshman season.

Once senior TE Christian Sims graduated, Fannin stepped in as the starter. In 2023, he caught 44 passes for 623 yards and 6 TDs as the offense shifted to feature him.

In 2024, he gained national recognition against Penn State by catching 11 passes for 137 yards and a TD. The Nittany Lions knew the ball was going his way but still couldn’t stop him.

He finished the season with 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 TDs, breaking the single-season FBS TE records for receptions and receiving yards. He also tied the record for most receptions in a game with 17.

At the NFL Combine, he measured 6’3 and 241 pounds but didn’t show elite athleticism. His results -- including a 4.71-second 40 time -- were average for the position.

Cleveland selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft and entered the league projected to sit behind Njoku as a rookie.

Fannin’s Not the Starter, But He’s Forcing His Way Onto the Field

The Browns had a different plan for Fannin from the start. Rather than parking him behind Njoku, they leaned on more “12” personnel early this season. That has produced the following breakdown through three weeks:

Both have clear roles, though Fannin still trails Njoku in snaps and routes. That gap could narrow as the season progresses.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Fannin sits tied with Brock Bowers and Tyler Warren for 16th among TEs in average separation (3.2 yards). He also owns the fourth-highest catch rate among TEs at 83.3%.

Fannin has been a steady target through the first few games, but the film raises some concerns.

Good Instincts, Sloppy Routes: Fannin’s Mixed Film Story

Fannin has been used on TE screens much like Tyler Warren.

After catching this screen, he looks inside but finds no space. He shows a willingness to lower his head and fight forward, but Fannin lacks the size and power to drag defenders very far.

His best film comes when Joe Flacco extends plays and lets Fannin freelance.

On both plays, Fannin breaks off his route and works to an open spot where Flacco can deliver the ball.

It shows good instincts and growing chemistry with Flacco. But outside of freelancing, his route running has been inconsistent.

Here, Fannin slips coming out of his break, throwing off the timing of the pass. His footwork can be sloppy on in- and out-breaking routes, leading to off-balance running and occasional slips or stalls.

Fannin still has a ways to go with route precision, but that’s an area that could improve over time.

Fannin’s Price Rising, Making Him a Dynasty Hold

Fannin’s early success has driven up his price. He turns 22 this offseason, and his youth adds to that inflation.

He currently holds a value of 20 in our PPR dynasty trade value chart, in line with WRs such as Jakobi Meyers and Troy Franklin.

Paying Meyers or Franklin for the chance that Fannin becomes a consistent top-12 TE is too steep right now. Njoku is set to hit free agency next year, but Cleveland could re-sign him or add another TE to keep running “12” personnel.

Fannin’s third-round draft capital doesn’t guarantee he’ll avoid competition or absorb Njoku’s role next season. For now, he’s a hold. Wait and see how the year develops. If his price dips, he could become a buy later.

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.