Tight End Battles to Watch: Key Players Making Moves in 2025

🏈 As the NFL training camps kick off, positional battles are heating up, particularly at the tight end position, where identifying potential breakout stars can provide a critical edge in fantasy football. Here’s an overview of three notable tight end competitions that deserve attention as the preseason unfolds.

Seattle Seahawks: Elijah Arroyo vs. AJ Barner 🦅

The release of veteran tight end Noah Fant has opened up a significant opportunity for rookie Elijah Arroyo. Now, Arroyo, a second-round pick, will face off against second-year tight end AJ Barner for the top spot on the Seahawks' depth chart. While rookie tight ends don’t typically put up TE1 fantasy numbers, Arroyo's skill set is far more advanced than the average newcomer.

Recent Performance Stats

Seattle tight ends have had a mixed past, as shown by their grades from last season:

• Noah Fant: PFF grade of 66.0 (ranked 24th among 44 tight ends)
• AJ Barner: PFF grade of 61.7 (ranked 28th among 44 tight ends)

By contrast, Arroyo boasted a PFF overall grade of 71.6, which places him 13th among Power Five tight ends with at least 370 offensive snaps.

General Manager John's Insight: General Manager John Schneider highlighted Arroyo’s potential, likening him to a top-15 draft talent who slipped due to injury concerns. Head Coach Mike Macdonald praised Arroyo's versatility, suggesting he could even fill roles typically reserved for wide receivers. If Arroyo can secure the starting position, he may well find himself in a prominent role within Seattle's offense, particularly with a new offensive coordinator who favors dynamic play.

Summary of Arroyo’s 2024 Season Highlights

• PFF Receiving Grade: 73.6 (Rank: 9)
• Average Yards Per Reception: 16.9 (Rank: 1)
• Deep-Target Rate: 31.9% (Top in the category)

Given their combined statistics and insights from team personnel, Arroyo’s outlook as a potential TE1 in 2025 appears promising. Keep a close eye on his progress in training camp against Barner, who has also shown starter-worthy potential in the past.

Baltimore Ravens: Mark Andrews vs. Isaiah Likely 🦇

In Baltimore, the tight end situation is becoming increasingly competitive. Head Coach John Harbaugh has ambitions for Isaiah Likely, aiming for him to reach All-Pro status. To achieve such lofty goals, Likely must outperform the established Mark Andrews, who has seen a dip in his performance as he approaches his 30s.

Comparative Performance Stats

Among notable tight ends in the 2024 season:

• Mark Andrews: PFF overall grade of 83.5 (Rank: 4)
• Isaiah Likely: PFF overall grade of 75.6 (Rank: 7)

Interestingly, Likely has evolved into one of the league's most effective blocking tight ends, even while being viewed primarily as a pass-catching threat. His blocking proficiency was evidenced by a PFF run-blocking grade of 64.3, which puts him ahead of Andrews.

Key Metrics Comparison

Future Projections

If Andrews can fend off Likely for the top role, he remains a TE1 with significant fantasy value. However, Likely’s rising trajectory suggests he could emerge as a top-tier contender for the tight end crown if he can prove himself in training camp.

Chicago Bears: Colston Loveland vs. Cole Kmet 🐻

The Chicago Bears are undergoing an exciting transition at the tight end position. The arrival of first-round pick Colston Loveland has heightened expectations, with head coach Ben Johnson drawing comparisons to Sam LaPorta due to their similar traits.

Performance Metrics

In 2024:

• Cole Kmet: PFF grade of 60.9 (Rank: 30)
• Colston Loveland: PFF grade of 85.9 (Rank: 3)

Loveland has shown he can be a high-volume target, especially important for the Bears' offense as he aims to surpass Kmet on the depth chart.

Key Comparison Table

Reality Check: Loveland’s performance in training camp will be crucial as he competes against Kmet, who has shown some inconsistency. Johnson believes Kmet will still play a significant role, but Loveland could establish himself as the primary option in the passing game if his camp performance meets expectations.

Conclusion

🔥 As training camps progress, the roles of these tight ends will become clearer, and the potential for breakout performances grows. Having a solid grasp of these positional battles is essential for fantasy managers looking to capitalize on emerging talents.

Stay tuned for updates as these competitions unfold, because the right pick could bring your fantasy team over the top! 🏆