Finding value at tight end in dynasty rookie drafts can be challenging, especially with the position’s long development curve and inconsistent production. But in 2025, several late-round rookie tight ends are flying under the radar with the potential to become fantasy contributors down the line.
While the early-round names like Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren are getting all the attention, savvy dynasty managers should be keeping close tabs on prospects like Terrance Ferguson, Oronde Gadsden II, and Harold Fannin Jr., who each landed in intriguing NFL situations with a path to long-term relevance.
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Whether it’s Ferguson’s athletic upside in Sean McVay’s scheme, Gadsden’s mismatch potential in a Greg Roman system, or Fannin’s historic college production and future opportunity in Kevin Stefanski’s offense, these tight ends offer real upside at a fraction of the draft capital.
Let’s dive into why each of these late-round dynasty rookie tight ends deserves a spot on your radar and your roster as you build for the future.
LATE-ROUND DYNASTY ROOKIE TE TARGETS
HAROLD FANNIN JR., TE, CLEVELAND BROWNS
FantasyPros ECR: 33 overall
RSJ Rookie Ranking: TE3 (+3 vs ECR)
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 241 lbs
Notable Traits: Elite production, versatile, YAC beast
Harold Fannin Jr. enters the NFL with one of the most prolific tight end seasons in FBS history under his belt. At just 20 years old, the 6’3”, 241-pound Bowling Green star put up a jaw-dropping 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 17 touchdowns, all FBS single-season records for a tight end. He didn’t just pad stats against weaker competition either; he torched Penn State for 137 yards and set a bowl game record with 213 yards on 17 catches against Arkansas State.
Fannin plays more like a big wideout than a traditional tight end. He’s fluid in space, runs clean routes, has strong hands, and consistently creates yards after the catch with a “catch-and-go” mentality. His versatility makes him a creative offensive weapon, capable of lining up all over the field. While he lacks prototypical size and isn’t much of an in-line blocker, his production and play style scream modern mismatch tight end.
Cleveland may not offer immediate fantasy value, with David Njoku entrenched as the starter for now. However, Njoku is set to hit free agency after the season, and Fannin fits perfectly in Kevin Stefanski’s tight end-friendly system — one he’s already excited to be part of. If Stefanski uses Fannin’s unique skill set creatively, he could be a post-2025 breakout candidate.
Fannin is a bet on elite production and modern TE usage. If he earns a featured role down the line, he could be a valuable dynasty stash with long-term TE2 upside that’ll be similar to Njoku’s output.
TERRANCE FERGUSON, TE, LA RAMS
FantasyPros ECR: 34 overall
RSJ Rookie Ranking: TE4 (+1 vs ECR)
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 247 lbs
Notable Traits: Size, elite athleticism, crazy catch radius (90th percentile)
Terrance Ferguson turned heads at the Senior Bowl, and for good reason. In an environment tailored to his strengths, the former Oregon standout flashed polished route-running, smooth athleticism, and the versatility to line up across the formation. He’s not a top-tier prospect like Loveland, but his skill set makes him one of the more intriguing tight end values in this rookie class.
The Rams clearly see something special in Ferguson, making him the fourth tight end off the board with a second-round selection. Sean McVay’s offense has historically featured tight ends like Tyler Higbee and Gerald Everett in certain roles, but Ferguson brings a different flavor: a more dynamic, athletic weapon with true mismatch potential. McVay even told SiriusXM that the Rams have “big plans” for Ferguson, noting they would’ve been comfortable drafting him in the first round(!).
At Oregon, Ferguson excelled as a move-tight end, lining up both in-line and in the slot. He’s a tough tackle after the catch, especially in the screen game, and his combination of size, strength, and fluidity makes him a natural fit in modern passing schemes. While he’s still developing his route tree, Ferguson tested extremely well and shows enough nuance to get open and make plays in space. He’s also a willing blocker who can stay on the field in various personnel packages.
With his versatility, reliable hands, and path to early playing time in a creative offense, Ferguson has massive long-term upside in dynasty formats. He could even carve out a meaningful role as early as his rookie year.
ORONDE GADSDEN, TE, LA CHARGERS
FantasyPros ECR: 53 overall
RSJ Rookie Ranking: TE7 (0 vs ECR)
Height/Weight: 6’5″, 243 lbs
Notable Traits: WR-to-TE convert, elite catch radius, NFL bloodlines
A converted wide receiver with NFL bloodlines, Oronde Gadsden II brings serious pass-catching upside to the tight end position.
After a breakout 2022 campaign at Syracuse with nearly 1,000 yards, he followed it up in 2024 by setting an ACC tight end record with 73 receptions for 934 yards and seven touchdowns. While he won’t be confused for a traditional in-line blocker, Gadsden thrives as a big slot mismatch — the kind of weapon that gives defensive coordinators fits.
Landing in Los Angeles with the Chargers is about as ideal as it gets for a pass-catching tight end. Under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, the offense will lean heavily on the run and play action, a formula that’s historically created significant opportunities for athletic tight ends. Gadsden’s only real competition for snaps comes from veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, neither of whom offers his combination of size and fluidity.
Gadsden wins with length, elite body control, and strong hands. He won’t separate vertically like a burner, but he consistently creates throwing windows on the move and finishes tough catches in traffic. While he’ll need to improve as a blocker to become a full-time player, his skillset screams modern mismatch tight end, think Evan Engram or Mike Gesicki-type usage. In the right role, Gadsden has sneaky TE-flex appeal and red zone upside in dynasty formats.
