When the clock starts ticking during fantasy football drafts, it’s best to move forward with caution.
While much of the focus is on finding the best sleepers, it’s also prudent to be aware of potential busts.
Tight ends aren’t often considered a highly valued position. In 2025, only three players are being selected inside the top 50 of fantasy drafts, according to FantasyPros’ average draft position (ADP). That said, these three tight ends are being drafted as starters in the majority of leagues, but could fail to meet expectations.
2025 FANTASY FOOTBALL SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K
2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST | Overall
TE busts to fade in fantasy football 2025
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
The veteran tight end has been a staple in fantasy lineups for over a decade, but it’s time to start fading him at his current ADP. He had declining production in 2024 and still managed to finish as TE6 in PPR points per game. He was the third-most targeted tight end in the NFL with 133 targets and led the position in red-zone targets (26). So why fade the soon-to-be 36-year-old in 2025?
It’s not a complete fade but it’s probably better to treat Kelce as a borderline TE1 than a sure-fire stud at this stage. Only one tight end in NFL history has finished with more than 90 catches at the age of 36 or older (Tony Gonzalez, 2012).
Kelce’s yards per route run and yards after the catch both declined in each of the last three seasons. The biggest question mark surrounding Kelce heading into 2025 is the availability of wide receiver Rashee Rice. With Rice healthy, Kelce averaged just four targets per game. However, following Rice’s season-ending knee injury, Kelce averaged over nine targets per game. There’s a chance Rice could miss half of the season due to a suspension, but there’s also a chance Rice only misses a couple of games. Kelce’s usage hinges largely on Rice’s presence and the risk at taking him as the TE5 outweighs the production at this stage.
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
This potential bust could backfire if Engram were to surprise and lead his new team in targets in 2025. However, the likelihood of that happening is slim because he is coming off his worst season and a torn labrum, which required surgery.
Engram joined the Broncos in free agency, and some are excited about his potential in Sean Payton’s offense. But Payton – who has been a head coach for 18 NFL seasons – has only had a tight end finish inside the top 10 in PPR five times. Those being seasons from Jimmy Graham (2011, 2013, 2014), Ben Watson (2015) and Jared Cook (2019).
The soon-to-be 31-year-old has relied heavily on volume more than explosiveness and touchdowns. He has failed to find the end zone more than four times in a season since 2017. He’ll play second fiddle to Courtland Sutton. Engram could even potentially finish third on the team in targets behind third-year breakout candidate Marvin Mims Jr. Expectations should be tempered for Engram at his current TE8 ADP.
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
It’s challenging to fall in love with Loveland and trust him to finish inside fantasy football’s top 15 tight ends in 2025.
The rookie is a terrific prospect in a Bears offense that is expected to improve. New head coach Ben Johnson is calling the shots and he was the offensive coordinator in Detroit when Sam LaPorta finished as TE1 overall as a rookie in 2023. The issue for Loveland is that there are plenty of mouths to feed as Chicago loaded up on offense in the offseason. The presence of wide receivers DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden, along with veteran tight end Cole Kmet will likely keep the rookie from Michigan in deep TE2 range all season.
It’s unlikely Loveland can make a significant mark in such a crowded room but he’s still a worthwhile pick in dynasty leagues. He has top-10 draft capital and will likely grow in the Bears offense in the coming years, but don’t expect him to be elite in 2025.