Vet Fatigue Report - 06.23.25
Here’s Part 2 of the TE Vet Fatigue Report, and this time, we’re digging into three familiar faces. Each has flashed TE1 upside before, and they’re all back in 2025. Two just posted career-high target totals, and the third was brought back on a starter-level deal. The question isn’t just whether they can still produce, it’s whether you’re better off cashing out now and taking the value while it’s there. Let’s break it down.
Mike Gesicki | TE | Cincinnati Bengals
Sleeper: TE33 | Dynasty Nerds: TE33 | DD: TE33 | KTC: TE35 | FantasyPros: TE29
2024 ADP Range: ~239 overall (TE36, Round 20+)
Trend: Deep-league dart, but the contract and offense give him real sleeper appeal
Mike Gesicki is one of those tight ends we’ve been waiting on for years. He’s teased breakout potential, but it’s always been just out of reach. The athleticism and flashes are real, but the ceiling has never quite arrived. Last year, he earned 83 targets from Joe Burrow and turned in enough value for Cincinnati to bring him back on a 3-year, $25.5M deal.
He’s clearly behind Chase and Higgins, but this is a pass-happy offense, and Gesicki is going to have spike weeks. With only 1 missed game in 7 seasons, he’s reliable, and his ceiling rises significantly if an injury hits the WR room.
The big question: Is his price worth the ceiling? Or will managers get burned chasing boom weeks from a guy locked in as option No. 3 (or 4)?
Mike Gesicki Contract 2025-2027: OverTheCap.com
Low-Cost, High-Floor Play
These are the kinds of moves I’m happy to make for Gesicki. A 4th-round rookie pick in TEP is easy for a contender, and flipping Gunnar Helm or some end-of-bench clutter adds instant value. With a shot at two productive years, he’s a smart buy-low target.
The Gesicki Side Experiment
In SuperFlex formats, Rodgers can still be a valuable backup, but Gesicki might be just as useful at TE.
Whether you’re adding to a shallow QB room or patching up your tight end slot, Gesicki can bridge the gap.
Dart Throws vs. Defined Role
In a 1pt TEP, Gesicki’s value gets a nice bump, even as a backup TE. Pop Douglas and Jayden Blue are fun stashes, but Gesicki brings something they don’t: a guaranteed role on a high-volume offense. Perfect for contenders.
From Low-End Options to Certified Stud
I love the upgrade to George Kittle. Gesicki and Henry are serviceable, but Kittle is a difference-maker.
He enters 2025 in arguably his best spot in years, and in 1pt TEP, he’s a top-30 fantasy scorer. Throwing in Godwin may feel steep, but elite tight ends shift matchups, and seasons.
Hype to Help
The Jalen McMillan buzz has been cooling since the Emeka Egbuka pick. Pivot that fading hype into an upside play like Cedric Tillman, and grab an immediate contributor like Gesicki on top. It’s a smart way to turn potential into points.
Verdict: Smart Depth Buy for a 4th; Contender Hold
Mike Gesicki has a high ceiling tied to a Joe Burrow-led offense. He’s the third option at best, but his contract suggests two seasons of opportunity. You don’t want to lock him into your lineup weekly, but as insurance with upside if injuries strike, he’s a sharp stash. In TE-premium formats especially, that’s the kind of bench piece that can swing a matchup.
Hunter Henry | TE | New England Patriots
Sleeper: TE31 | Dynasty Nerds: TE30 | DD: TE30 | KTC: TE34 | FantasyPros: TE26
2024 ADP Range: ~210 overall (TE27, Round 17+)
Trend: ADP slightly down; steady role in rising offense with an ambiguous receiver target share
This was a popular breakout pick among Reddit readers, and honestly, it makes sense. Hunter Henry isn’t flashy, but he quietly saw the most targets of his career last season while playing with his best QB since rookie-year Herbert. He developed real rapport with Drake Maye and now walks into 2025 with no clear WR1 ahead of him.
That means opportunity and Henry’s experience make him a logical safety valve for a young QB. With just 2 TDs last season, there's a lot of room for positive regression.
The only question: can you still get him for a flier, or is the price creeping into real investment territory?
Hunter Henry Contract 2025-2026. OverTheCap.com
Tier Down in Name, Up in Value
Tiering down from Kelce to Henry and adding an upside piece like Marvin Mims is a savvy move.
Kelce’s cliff is coming fast, and in 2025, you might not even lose much (if anything) in points per game.
Break Glass in Case of Chaos
These are comfortable moves if you need TE depth.
Flipping a 4th-round pick or a player like Rashid Shaheed won’t sting, and it could give you a real edge when injuries and bye weeks hit. Smart insurance without overpaying
Flip the Uncertainty
Not everyone’s sold on Ricky Pearsall becoming the guy in San Francisco. If you’re in that camp, flip him for another player and tack on Hunter Henry for TE depth. But if you believe in Pearsall, deals like this show Henry can help you upgrade at WR, too.
Floor Over Flash
Henry might not have Jonnu’s ceiling, but I’ll take his floor and the extra draft picks every time. This kind of trade gives you flexibility, not just a weekly dart throw. More paths to points, fewer eggs in the Jonnu Smith basket.
Verdict: Buy Hunter Henry. He’s Practically Free.
Outside of a few rare outliers, most deals had Henry going for no more than a 2025 4th.
With the offense expected to take a step forward, he doesn’t need to be the top target to outproduce that cost. Buy him cheap now, stash him, and fire him up when the injuries and bye weeks come calling.
Jonnu Smith | TE | Miami Dolphins
Sleeper: TE13 | Dynasty Nerds: TE18 | DD: TE15 | KTC: TE15 | FantasyPros: TE14
Current ADP Range: ~263 overall (TE42, Round 22+)
Trend: Massive ADP spike since 2024; current situation in flux
From Weeks 7 to 17, Jonnu Smith was TE1 overall and a staple on many championship squads. He stayed healthy, got volume, and delivered down the stretch. Now? He’s back with the same team and a similar role, but the offseason feels more like a soap opera than a sequel. Trade rumors and questions about whether lightning can strike twice with Hill and Waddle back.
Smith had 5 top 4 TE finishes and averaged over 16 points/game in PPR, showing both consistency and ceiling to close out the season.
Can he come anywhere near that volume again? Will he even stay on the roster? The upside is undeniable, but so is the uncertainty. Is Jonnu worthy of top-6 potential, or should you cash out on last year’s TE4 finish before the window slams shut?
Cheap Roll of the Dice
There are plenty of deals where I’ll gladly take the risk on Jonnu Smith. Future 3rds, 4ths, or a 2025 IR-bound player? That’s low-cost gambling with real upside. Easy move if you’ve got room to play.
Caution: Market Overcorrection Incoming
I saw far more deals at this level, and I wouldn’t part with a 2nd for Jonnu Smith, let alone a premium piece. His age, spotty production history, and uncertain contract make him a risky hold. You're not guaranteed anything this year or beyond. Seeing trades like LaPorta for Smith shows just how extreme the market can get. Don’t be that guy.
It’s All About the Value
I’m not high on Jonnu Smith, but if he comes with the 2.01, I’ll gladly move Montgomery. Stay flexible: sell aging RB production for upside.
Veteran WR vs Jonnu Smith?
Tillman and a 2nd for Jonnu feels like solid value, a blend of upside now and future flexibility. But what about flipping a veteran WR like Stefon Diggs or Courtland Sutton for Jonnu + a pick?
What side are you taking?
Betting on the Breakout
I’ll take the gamble on the young, highly drafted TE in an ascending offense. Give me Sinnott and the pick over Jonnu. It’s a forward-thinking bet, chasing the ceiling, not clinging to past production.
Verdict: Sell for a 2nd, Buy for a 3rd — Then Tier Down
Jonnu’s name still carries weight in most leagues, but I’m not buying into long-term security. If you can sell for a 2nd, do it. If you can buy for a 3rd, fine, but keep tiering down. Target players like Sinnott, Strange, or a rookie + pick combo. That’s a move that can compound his breakout into additional seasons of success.
