The NFL fantasy football season is here and there are some exciting rookie tight ends to watch throughout the league. After an outstanding rookie season by Brock Bowers in 2024, the spotlight will be on top 2025 NFL Draft picks Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. But those are not the only tight ends to keep an eye on in Week 1.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
TE – Tyler Warren, TE12, Indianapolis Colts vs. Miami Dolphins
Expect a strong debut out of the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The top-ranked tight end coming out of Penn State, Tyler Warren’s versatility and physicality as a playmaker will make him an instant fan favorite throughout the league. For fantasy owners, this pass-catching tight end is a must start for fantasy owners with him going up against a Dolphins’ secondary that is suspect to start the season.
In his last season at Penn State, Warren was a stats machine and a big play warrior who set a record for PSU tight ends with 104 catches for 1,233 yards. The Colts will be out to utilize his abilities as a target down the seam and in the red zone. Look for Daniel Jones to target this big-bodied target early and often.
TE – Mason Taylor, TE31, New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The New York Jets aren’t expected to be a passing machine in Week 1 vs the Steelers, but that doesn’t mean Mason Taylor won’t have a strong debut. With Justin Fields going against his former team, there will be a spark in the air at MetLife Stadium, especially with the opposing quarterback being Aaron Rodgers. The Jets will be run first but expect Taylor to be a prime target in the short to intermediate passing game.
At 6-foot-5, 251 pounds, the LSU product emerged as the third best tight end entering the 2025 NFL Draft. What stood out about Taylor other than his pass catching was his ability to find the soft spot in zone coverage. The Steelers are a team that use a combination of man and zone, so Taylor could be put to the test right away to work the middle of the field and find open spaces. Once he does that, he can create chunk plays after the catch.
TE – Terrance Ferguson, TE54, Los Angels Rams vs. Houston Texans
The Texas has a strong secondary but go ahead and start Terrance Ferguson. Houston will be set on taking away both Puka Nacua and Davante Adams in the passing game. That will leave Ferguson with an opportunity to make plays as the Rams plan to go more 12 personal this year with Tyler Higbee as the starting tight end.
As the Rams top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, expect Sean McVay to work him into the gameplan as that second tight end option. At 6-foot-5, 247 pounds, Ferguson is a big target with surprising speed and solid catch production. In his final season at Oregon, he had 43 receptions for 591 yards and 3 touchdowns. With a third-round projection entering the draft, Ferguson could be this year’s Sam LaPorta.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
TE – Colston Loveland, TE16, Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
With the way Ben Johnson likes to utilize tight ends, it’s tempting to start Colson Loveland, but until Caleb Williams proves he is ready to breakout at the quarterback position, it may take a couple of games to work Loveland into the mix. As a top 10 selection, Loveland will be a fantasy darling as the season moves forward, but not yet.
The Vikings pass rush will challenge the Bears revamped offensive line and put pressure on Williams to make quick decisions. Expect Johnson to lean on the run to settle the second-year quarterback down which will limit targets to Loveland despite two-tight end sets by the Bears. When the Bears do pass, they have targets in DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Olamide Zaccheaus, Luther Burden III and Cole Kmet who Williams will look to spread the ball around to. Again, Loveland will be special, it will just take time to get him fully in the mix.
TE – Harold Fannin Jr., TE34, Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals
One of the most productive tight ends entering the 2025 NFL Draft, Harold Fannin Jr. enters the league as one of multiple second round picks for the Browns. As a pass catching tight end, Fannin will form a dangerous duo with David Njoku eventually. It just won’t be right away as the Browns’ offense will take some time to find its identity with Joe Flacco beginning the season as the starter.
While there is a chance Fannin Jr. could break some big plays against the Bengals’ defense, it’s hard to see the Bengals getting off to another slow start and getting upset by the Browns. With any hopes of that happening Njoku will take the majority of snaps with the Browns leaning on the run game to stay pace with the Bengals.
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleeper
TE – Elijah Arroyo, TE39, Seattle Seahawks vs San Francisco 49ers
The Miami product is a great fit for the Seahawks and he’ll be a target for Sam Darnold in the home opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Look for Seattle to run a lot of 12 personnel offensively which will put Elijah Arroyo in a position to get targets, especially with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the outside and Cooper Kupp on the field at the same time.
In Week 1, the Seahawks will look to set up the pass with a solid running game. As a move tight end, Arroyo can get down the middle of the field as a play action target. Playing behind AJ Barner to start the season, expect a solid debut to leap him into the starting tight end role rather quickly.