The modern NFL offensive evolution is breathing fresh life into one of fantasy football’s most volatile positions: the tight end.
As creative head coaches and offensive coordinators across the league embrace multi-tight end personnel packages at unprecedented rates, fantasy football managers stand to reap immense rewards in upcoming drafts.
Historically, fantasy managers feared multi-tight end formations, worrying that additional tight ends on the field meant diluted target shares and fewer opportunities.
However, modern offensive schemes deploy 12- and 13-personnel to achieve structural balance rather than conservative play-calling.
By assigning a dedicated in-line tight end to handle heavy blocking duties, play-callers effectively untether athletic, pass-catching tight ends. Rather than chipping edge rushers or anchoring protection, these dynamic tight ends are freed up to run diverse route trees out of the slot or out wide, enjoying increased snap counts and higher quality targets.
Nowhere is this tactical shift more promising than with the Lions, who hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator. Fantasy managers witnessed firsthand what Petzing’s tight end-heavy scheme accomplished for Trey McBride in Arizona, turning him into a high-volume target monster.
Though you cannot automatically assume Sam LaPorta will command an identical target share to McBride, Petzing’s arrival signals a clear path toward an expanded workload and increased targets.
The Lions’ offensive framework will allow LaPorta to operate as a primary receiving engine rather than just an intermediate option.
Provided LaPorta returns to 100 percent health following his offseason back surgery, his natural receiving talents paired with Petzing’s tight end-friendly offense give him massive fantasy potential and top-tier upside.
For managers seeking high-upside value deeper in drafts, look to the Chargers and second-year playmaker Oronde Gadsden.
L.A.’s “other” team brought in offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel as their new coordinator, a play-caller renowned for maximizing tight end production.
From designing elite usage for George Kittle in San Francisco to elevating Jonnu Smith into a versatile playmaker in Miami, McDaniel’s schemes consistently prioritize dynamic tight ends in open space.
The Chargers’ offseason roster construction lays out the scheme perfectly. Los Angeles brought in Charlie Kolar specifically to serve as their in-line, blocking tight end.
With Kolar handling heavy protection reps at the line of scrimmage, Gadsden is primed to be the primary pass-catcher in multi-TE formations, even edging out veteran David Njoku for route participation on passing downs.
Gadsden’s wide receiver background paired with McDaniel’s motion-heavy system gives him incredible sleeper potential late in drafts.
When drafting your tight ends, looking beyond past target totals is critical.
Identifying which new offensive coordinators intentionally create space and route volume through two-tight end packages can help you secure elite production at a massive draft value.
Keep a close eye on LaPorta’s health reports and Gadsden’s preseason usage, as both tight ends are primed to break out in their new offensive systems.
Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy, catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Ch. 87) weekdays from 6-8 p.m. and dominate your leagues with the latest football news and advice from Fantasy Alarm.
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