Last season, Brock Bowers broke the narrative that rookie TEs can't produce in fantasy football. Bowers was drafted as the TE11 off the board last year and ended up as the TE1 overall in PPR leagues.
This is not to say one of these TEs will repeat such a season. After all, Bowers is going to finish as the TE1 again this season.
However, that season by Bowers seems to have kick-started a stream of new opportunities for rookie TEs coming in this season who will jump into fantasy-worthy situations.
Read on for which tight ends we're targeting late in 2025 fantasy drafts as the next class of breakouts.
TIPS TO WIN YOUR LEAGUE: 2025 Fantasy Draft Kit
Which tight end could be this year's Brock Bowers in 2025 fantasy drafts?
Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: TE10)
The Colts used the 14th overall pick on Warren in the NFL Draft. It's clear he was their guy, and the preseason showed that they want to use Warren.
In Week 1, Warren caught all three targets for 40 yards. In Week 2, Warren was targeted 3 times again and caught one of them for 25 yards.
Tyler Warren stock is going UP 📈 pic.twitter.com/xytlFFxKhA
— PFF Fantasy (@PFF_Fantasy) August 13, 2025
The competition for targets is not all that great. Josh Downs, who would be a threat, is nursing a hamstring injury, and Michael Pittman looks like he's just a possession receiver in this system.
If Downs were to miss time, Warren would lead the team in targets right away.
TIGHT END FANTASY RANKINGS: PPR TE | Non-PPR TE
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears (ADP: TE12)
The situation for Loveland truly could not be any better. The Bears clearly love him as a prospect, as they drafted him with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
This was head coach Ben Johnson's guy, and history shows us his ability to support a top TE in fantasy. Who could forget Johnson making Sam LaPorta the TE1 overall in his 2023 rookie season with Detroit?
Loveland is arguably a better prospect than LaPorta was when he came out. Loveland had a 34% target share at Michigan, which is the largest target share for a TE in NCAA history. To go along with this, he only had a 3.5% drop rate.
People are worried about Cole Kmet? Can Cole Kmet sing like Loveland can?
Bears rookie TE Colston Loveland went off singing "Let Me Love You" at rookie karaoke 🤣
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) August 15, 2025
(🎥: @ChicagoBears)
pic.twitter.com/9bNt6IlOwl
There is simply no reason the Bears would use such a high draft pick to draft a TE they won't use.
MORE: TE fantasy sleepers for 2025 drafts
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (ADP: TE21)
The first two names were well-known options at TE. Now, we move to Strange.
The advantage Strange has over Loveland and Warren is sample size. We've seen Strange play significant NFL snaps and know what he can do when he's targeted.
Last season, Strange played 60% of the Jags' snaps in seven contests. In these seven outings, Strange averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game on a 14.8% target share.
Strange has also had an excellent camp and is the clear-cut starting TE:
#Jaguars scrimmage today. Should be a lovely practice. Here’s TE Brenton Strange doing what he’s done all camp: pic.twitter.com/IX3ebyTDZ1
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) August 14, 2025
While the volume going into 2025 might not support a Brock Bowers-type season, the upside is certainly there for a potential breakout season. One thing is for sure: TE20 is too low for Strange and could deliver a huge return on investment.
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