Which rookie tight ends to start in NFL fantasy football? The better question is which tight end besides Tyler Warren can fantasy owners trust this week.
There are some talented tight ends from the 2025 NFL Draft class who are starting to make an impact. One of those tight ends is Cleveland Browns second-round pick Harold Fannin Jr., who returns this week after a bye week. Is Fannin Jr. a start ‘em or sit ‘em this week going against the Minnesota Vikings with rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel under center?
Which other young tight end should fantasy football owners have their eyes on heading into Week 5?
NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
TE– Tyler Warren, TE4, Indianapolis Colts (3-1) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (1-3)
In a showdown of top tight ends from the last two drafts, Indianapolis Colts rookie Tyler Warren will continue to be a fantasy darling and a front runner for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He is averaging 65.75 receiving yards per game through the first 4 weeks of the 2025 NFL season and should top that against a Raiders’ defense that is near the bottom of the league as far as fantasy defense. Look for Warren to have an effective game and post his first career touchdown in this Week 5 battle.
TE – Mason Taylor, TE23, New York Jets (0-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (1-2-1)
Mason Taylor is among fantasy wire pick up players after he mildly broke out on Thursday Night Football in a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. The Jets lost to drop to 0-4, but there was more involvement in the offense for Taylor who hauled in 5 receptions for 65 yards. With Justin Fields back behind center, look for this connection to heat up in the coming weeks. It will continue against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been giving up yards and points through Week 4 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Taylor and the Jets will cook at home and may even get their first win.
Note: Mason Taylor is questionable due to an ankle injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday.
TE – Harold Fannin Jr., TE16, Clevland Browns (1-3) vs. Minnesota Vikings (2-2)
Coming off a bye week and a big win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 3, the Cleveland Browns host the Minnesota Vikings. In a game in which the Browns will start rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, trust fellow rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., to have a solid game against the Vikings. Fannin Jr. has 17 receptions for 160 yards so far this season and should be a target Gabriel keys in on when the Browns do throw the ball. Cleveland will look to run the ball more with a rookie starting, but don’t be too surprised if they open it up a bit. That’s where Fannin Jr. could be a key factor in this game.
NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
TE– Elijah Arroyo, TE28, Seattle Seahawks (3-1) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-1)
One of the big games of the week features the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveling to the Emerald City to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams are 3-1 entering the game and it could turn into a bit of a shootout. This could be a breakout type game for Elijah Arroyo but not trusting him to be a big part of the offense just yet. He has just five receptions on eight targets so far this season with half of his production coming in Week 4 in a win against the Arizona Cardinals. Arroyo will have his big game at some point, but the Seahawks have more trust in second-year tight end A.J. Barner at this point.
TE– Gunnar Helm, TE35, Tennessee Titans (0-4) vs. Arizona Cardinals (2-2)
The Titans are winless and struggling on offense traveling to Arizona for a Week 5 interconference matchup. Don’t expect things to shift into a positive light against the Arizona Cardinals’ defense. Cam Ward is looking for answers, but Gunnar Helm won’t be one of them this week. He has the talent to emerge as the team’s TE2 and a reliable target once the offense gets consistent, but it will be a tough week for him to get it going.
NFL Week 5 Fantasy Football Sleepers
TE– Oronde Gadsden II, TE32, Los Angeles Chargers (3-1) vs. Washington Commanders (2-2)
Will keep Oronde Gadsden II on the sleeper list this week. He is going into a fair matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 5, but as another big target in the Chargers’ offense, he may have a chance to make some plays with the Commanders’ secondary locked in on the trio of Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnson. The Chargers also have another rookie in Tre Harris they are trying to get going in the offense. It could go either way with Gadsden II this week, but if it turns into a track meet against the Commanders, the young tight end will have a chance to make some plays and see those targets go up.
TE– Mitchell Evans, TE39, Carolina Panthers (1-3) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-3)
A rookie tight end fantasy owners should keep their eye on this week is Mitchell Evans. The 6-foot-5, 258-pound tight end is starting to make some plays in the Panthers’ offense. Against the Patriots in Week 4, Evans hauled in 3 receptions for 23 yards which should earn him more targets. Against the Dolphins, there will be some plays to be had and if second-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders isn’t able to go, Evans could turn into a secret weapon in the offense.
Bye Week:
TE – Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears