How Many TEs Should I Draft in Fantasy Football? A Comprehensive Guide

Alright, guys! Let's dive into an exciting aspect of fantasy football draft strategies. Today, we're going to tackle the million-dollar question: how many TEs should I draft in fantasy football? So, grab a snack, get comfy, and let's break it down, step by step. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and how many te should i draft in fantasy football.

Understanding the TE Position in Fantasy Football

Before we delve into the draft strategy, let's first understand the role of the tight end in fantasy football. In most leagues, tight ends score fewer points than wide receivers and running backs. However, a reliable TE can provide a steady stream of points and can sometimes make or break your lineup.

The TE position is unique because it offers a blend of size, speed, and catching ability. A good TE can be a matchup nightmare for defenses, as they can line up in various positions and create mismatches. In recent years, we've seen an increase in the usage and effectiveness of tight ends in the NFL, which has translated to fantasy football as well.

The Case for Drafting Multiple TEs

Now, let's address the elephant in the room. Should you draft multiple TEs? The answer is: it depends. Here are a few scenarios where drafting multiple TEs could be beneficial:

Injury Insurance

Injuries are an unfortunate reality in fantasy football. By drafting multiple TEs, you're ensuring that you have a backup plan in case your starting TE goes down with an injury. This strategy is particularly useful in deeper leagues (12 teams or more) where the waiver wire might not offer many appealing options.

Streaming TEs

Some fantasy owners prefer to stream TEs, which means they start a different TE each week based on favorable matchups. If you're a fan of this strategy, drafting multiple TEs gives you more options to choose from each week.

Tight End Premium Leagues

In some leagues, the TE position is given a premium, meaning they score more points than in standard leagues. If you're in one of these leagues, drafting multiple TEs might be a viable strategy to take advantage of the increased scoring potential.

The Case for Drafting One Elite TE

On the other hand, some fantasy owners prefer to draft one elite TE and rely on the waiver wire or free agency to fill in any gaps. Here are a few reasons why this strategy might work:

Draft Capital

Drafting multiple TEs means you're using valuable draft capital on a position that scores fewer points than other positions. By drafting one elite TE, you can focus on filling other positions of need, like WR and RB, with higher-scoring players.

Depth at Other Positions

In many leagues, the waiver wire offers plenty of streaming options at TE. By drafting one elite TE, you can focus on building depth at other positions, which can help you weather injuries and bye weeks.

The TE Upside-Down Draft Strategy

Alright, let's talk about a unique strategy that's gaining traction in fantasy football circles: the TE upside-down draft strategy. This strategy involves drafting a TE in the early rounds (think rounds 3-5) and then waiting to draft another TE until the late rounds (think rounds 10-12).

The idea behind this strategy is to take advantage of the "TE premium" in the early rounds and then grab a high-upside TE late in the draft. This strategy can be particularly effective in leagues where the waiver wire is thin, as it allows you to snag a high-upside TE before your opponents can.

How to Draft TEs in Snake Drafts

Now, let's talk about how to draft TEs in a snake draft format. In a snake draft, you're drafting against other owners, and the order of picks reverses each round. Here are a few tips to help you draft TEs in a snake draft:

1. 1. Know the ADP: ADP, or Average Draft Position, is a helpful metric that tells you where a player is being drafted on average. Familiarize yourself with the ADP of TEs so you know when to pounce on a TE with a favorable ADP.
2. 2. Draft Based on Value: Don't get too caught up in the TE position itself. Instead, focus on drafting the best player available, regardless of position. If a TE is offering better value than a WR or RB at a certain point in the draft, go ahead and draft the TE.
3. 3. Draft Based on Your League's Scoring Settings: As we mentioned earlier, the TE position is worth more in some leagues than others. Make sure you're drafting TEs based on your league's specific scoring settings.
4. 4. Draft Based on Your Team's Needs: If you're weak at a particular position, don't be afraid to draft a TE later in the draft to fill that need. It's better to have a TE that fits your team's needs than to draft a TE based on ADP alone.

The Best TEs to Draft in 2022

Alright, let's talk about some of the best TEs to draft in 2022. Remember, the "best" TE to draft depends on your league's specific scoring settings and your team's specific needs. That being said, here are a few TEs that are worth considering in the early rounds:

1. 1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: Kelce is the consensus TE1 in most fantasy leagues. He's coming off back-to-back TE1 finishes and shows no signs of slowing down. If you're looking for an elite TE to build your team around, Kelce is the way to go.
2. 2. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: Pitts is a young, up-and-coming TE who burst onto the scene in
3. 2021. He finished as the TE5 in his rookie year and has the potential to take a significant step forward in
4. 2022. If you're looking for a high-upside TE, Pitts is worth considering.
5. 3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders: Waller is a consistent producer at the TE position. He's finished as a top-5 TE in each of the past two seasons and has a high floor due to his reliable target share in the Raiders' offense.

Sleepers and Late-Round Targets

Now, let's talk about some sleepers and late-round targets at the TE position. These are TEs who could provide significant value in the late rounds of your draft:

1. 1. Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys: Schultz is coming off a breakout season in 2021, where he finished as the TE4. With Amari Cooper now in Cleveland, Schultz could see an even larger target share in
2. 2022. If you're looking for a high-upside TE in the late rounds, Schultz is worth considering.
3. 2. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions: Hockenson is a talented TE who has struggled with injuries in his first two seasons. If he can stay healthy in 2022, he has the potential to be a top-tier TE. If you're looking for a high-upside TE with a low draft cost, Hockenson is worth considering.
4. 3. Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: Engram is a talented TE who has struggled with injuries and inconsistent quarterback play in his first few seasons. Now that he's in Jacksonville, he has a chance to thrive in a pass-heavy offense. If you're looking for a late-round flier with high upside, Engram is worth considering.

Conclusion

Alright, guys, that's a wrap! We've covered a lot of ground in this article, from understanding the TE position to discussing various draft strategies. The question "how many TEs should I draft in fantasy football?" doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your league's specific scoring settings, your team's specific needs, and your draft strategy.

The key is to stay flexible, draft based on value, and always be ready to adapt your strategy based on how the draft is unfolding. Good luck in your fantasy football drafts, and remember: the best way to win is to have fun and enjoy the process!

Happy drafting!