The NFL preseason for 2025 is winding down, and it’s that time of year again—fantasy football draft season is in full swing. It feels like a rite of passage, doesn’t it?
To create a roster that will lead you to the championship in January, hitting on a sleeper pick during your August drafts can be crucial. Sure, stars like Brock Bowers, George Kittle, and Sam Laporta tend to fly off the board early. But don’t overlook the lower-tier players; they can often make a significant impact, especially in deeper leagues or if your top picks are unavailable.
Here are three sleeper tight ends to consider before you head into your draft. With most fantasy leagues ranging from 10 to 12 teams, we’re defining our sleeper picks based on that dynamic. Additionally, we’re looking at PPR rankings for clarity. Let’s take a closer look.
Jone Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Veteran tight end Jone Smith has moved on from the Miami Dolphins after a solid year, where he garnered 88 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. He finished as the fourth-best tight end in fantasy last season, and there was hope he’d continue to shine in 2025. However, things changed with an offseason trade involving Jalen Ramsey and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
You might assume that sharing the field with Pat Freiermuth could diminish Smith’s fantasy value. But hang on—there’s a twist. He’s reuniting with Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, who previously helmed the Atlanta Falcons. Arthur is known for using multiple tight end sets, and it caught everyone’s attention how much the Steelers increased their own use of these formations once he stepped in. This could bode well for Smith’s role.
Jone is also a Hybrid Player, meaning you might see him lined up in various places. If everything goes according to plan, he could find himself back in the top ten for tight ends, making him a potentially great value in the later rounds.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Similar to Smith, Hunter Henry is another seasoned tight end who might see benefits from reconnecting with his former coach. The 30-year-old was a favorite target for rookie quarterback Drake May last year, achieving a career-high with 66 receptions, totaling 674 yards and a touchdown.
Now, with the Patriots having revamped their coaching staff—Josh McDaniels is back for his third stint—Henry could thrive. In 2021, under McDaniels, he tied for the league lead in tight end touchdowns, scoring nine. Notably, he ranked high in red zone targets. So it wouldn’t be surprising if he became a key red zone option for May this season, potentially exceeding his average draft position.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore’s offense is filled with talent, and Likely could play a pivotal role as the team aims to meet Super Bowl expectations this season. Mark Andrews didn’t hinder Likely’s performance last year, as he managed to catch 42 passes for 42 yards and six touchdowns.
With Todd Monken as the offensive coordinator, having a tight end routinely catching passes is essential. It’s worth noting the Ravens led the league last season in expected points added with variations of tight end usage. Both Andrews and Likely are likely to share red zone targets, with Likely potentially having productive outcomes when the team reaches that critical scoring zone.
