5 Dynasty Buys Under 25 - TE Edition
Chew highlights 5 tight ends under 25 that you should be buying this dynasty offseason.
Age is a crucial factor to building a formidable dynasty roster for the long haul. The younger players that still have something to prove are often the most polarizing as dynasty managers draw their figurative lines in the sand.
The tight end position has been long thought to be a slow burn, with dynasty managers waiting a few seasons for players to get their footing. While that is still commonplace, wide open NFL offenses are becoming more friendly to the pass-catching tight ends. And the tight ends mentioned in this article are ones to buy in dynasty before the price is too steep.
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*Qualifying tight ends are under 25 years old by the beginning of the 2025 NFL season and outside the Top-24 in TE fantasy points per game in 2024. Dynasty trades sources from Dynasty Daddy.
Theo Johnson (TE-31 — 5.7 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [29 catches / 43 targets - 331 yds - 1 TD]
The Giants are poised to reboot their offense with a new quarterback and head coach Brian Daboll needs to get it right as he is firmly in the hot seat. Theo Johnson entered the tight end room in New York in 2024 as Darren Waller exited to pursue his rap career. The former Nittany Lion stepped up as an ancillary receiving option alongside Malik Nabers and Wandale Robinson, maintaining a snap share no lower than 71%. Knee and back injuries landed Johnson on the IR, missing the last five weeks of the season.
One thing is certain, the Giants will have a new quarterback under center in 2025. Will it be Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, or a veteran? Only time will tell. Regardless, the new quarterback will hone in on the 6’6”, 259 lb. tight end blazing a 4.57 40-yard dash. While nothing is certain, it is unlikely that the Giants draft or sign Johnson’s replacement given their host of needs. This offers Johnson a chance to grow his role and, if healthy, become a top-20 tight end in 2025. For those dynasty managers looking to capitalize on value increasing throughout the offseason, look no further than Theo Johnson.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Theo Johnson:
Theo Johnson + ‘26 3rd rd pick ←→ Michael Mayer
Theo Johnson ‘26 1st rd pick + ‘26 3rd rd pick ←→ Terry McLaurin
Theo Johnson + ‘25 2.05 pick ←→ Cade Otton
Brenton Strange (TE-32 — 5.4 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [40 catches / 54 targets - 411 yds - 2 TDs]
Don’t ask me why, but every time I hear Brenton Strange’s name I just think of this Ludacris song. Back to fantasy football, Strange is a late second round pick from 2023 and has been patiently waiting for his chance to prove himself. Evan Engram missed a combined eight games in 2024, which gave Strange the chance to step up despite doing so catching balls primarily from Mac Jones and not Trevor Lawrence.
A post-June 1st cut of Engram results in a cap savings in 2025 of $15.1M. Given a new head coach and GM in Jacksonville, a clean slate would likely be welcomed. Despite a terribly awkward introductory press conference, head coach Liam Coen would do well with foundational pass-catching weapons like Brian Thomas Jr. and Strange. There is no guarantee that Engram is released but Strange remains a worthwhile investment in dynasty as the Jaguars’ offense looks to pounce.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Brenton Strange:
Brenton Strange + ‘25 2.01 ←→ David Njoku
Brenton Strange + Jalen McMillan + ‘25 3rd rd pick ←→ Tucker Kraft
Brenton Strange ←→ Luke Musgrave + ‘25 4th rd pick
A.J. Barner (TE-35 — 4.6 ppg — 23 years old)
2024 Stats: [30 catches / 37 targets - 245 yds - 4 TDs]
Barner sits in a similar position as Strange but the former’s opportunity in 2024 was not spurned by a veteran starter, Noah Fant, injured for multiple weeks. Fant could be released with a post-June 1st designation and save the Seahawks $9M. And regardless of whether or not Fant is released, Barner should see some run with new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak entering the fold.
Kubiak just finished serving as the offensive coordinator for the Saints in 2024. The Saints utilized a rotation of tight ends, with Foster Moreau, Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill combining for eight receiving touchdowns (excluding Hill’s six rushing touchdowns). Even if Fant remains in Seattle, Barner had at least one target in 14 of 17 games with an average snap share of 45%. I expect Barner’s fantasy production to increase under Kubiak’s tutelage and not necessarily with him being touchdown dependent.
Dynasty Trades to acquire A.J. Barner:
A.J. Barner + Tony Pollard + Tutu Atwell ←→ Javonte Williams + Michael Mayer + Tre Tucker
A.J. Barner + ‘25 2.11 pick ←→ Jonnu Smith
A.J. Barner + Rashee Rice + ‘25 2.04 pick ←→ Derrick Henry + Evan Engram + ‘25 2.10 pick
Ja’Tavion Sanders (TE-36 — 4.6 ppg — 22 years old)
2024 Stats: [33 catches / 43 targets - 342 yds - 1 TD]
Sanders entered a tough situation as a rookie in 2024, with a new offensive coaching staff and a glaring lack of faith in the quarterback. However, for the first time since Greg Olsen donned the Panther jersey, it feels like Carolina finally has a pass-catching weapon at tight end. Sanders had a number of 20+ yard opportunities and led Panthers’ tight ends in targets, with nearly a quarter of those targets in the red zone.
Of all the tight ends on this list, I am most optimistic about Sanders taking the next step in 2025. The Panthers will likely not resign Ian Thomas and may bring back Tommy Tremble, the latter of whom is a huge boost for the rushing attack. So the Sanders remains the top pass-catching tight end in 2025 with another offseason to build that connection. This is the ideal scenario to buy a young tight end: opportunity, athleticism and a budding quarterback.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Ja’Tavion Sanders:
Ja’Tavion Sanders + ‘25 3.04 pick + ‘25 3.11 pick ←→ Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Ja’Tavion Sanders ←→ ‘26 3rd rd pick
Ja’Tavion Sanders + ‘25 2nd rd pick ←→ Adam Thielen + Jonnu Smith
Ben Sinnott (TE-77 — 0.7 ppg — 23 years old)
2024 Stats: [5 catches / 5 targets - 28 yds - 1 TD]
This one is the definition of buy low, and you’ll need to be patient here. Sinnott only eclipsed a 50% snap share once in his rookie season (52.6% in Week 15). And with the the 34-year old Zach Ertz playing like his prime it is no surprise. In interviews following the Commanders’ playoff exit, it sounds like Ertz could return to D.C. for at least one more season to work with Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury. This is all to say that Sinnott’s time is close but not necessarily 2025.
Sinnott finished his rookie season with a paltry five targets but in a Kingsbury offense the tight end is an important position. Ertz is paving the way for how Sinnott can be utilized, with the latter entering the NFL as an incredibly athletic tight end with a productive final season as a Kansas State Wildcat. Sinnott was my second tight end in the 2024 class and that is no indictment on him, as the rankings really started after Brock Bowers. Go to the current Sinnott owner in your dynasty league that was expecting immediate results and see if you can’t pry him away.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Ben Sinnott:
Ben Sinnott + ‘25 2.06 pick ←→ Tank Bigsby
Ben Sinnott ←→ ‘25 3.09 pick
Ben Sinnott + Ray Davis ←→ Jerome Ford
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