Vet Fatigue Report - 06.19.25
Tight ends are a neglected part of our dynasty rosters until they’re not. If you don’t have a Brock Bowers or Trey McBride locked into your lineup, you’re stuck in the same weekly prayer circle as the rest of us. You’re hoping to stumble into the next Darren Waller breakout… or pulling a full-blown Gary Barnidge out of your hat. (Yes, that Barnidge, 79/1043/9 in 2015 like a glitch in the simulation.)
This is Part One of a two-part dive into veteran tight ends. Today, we’re breaking down Jake Ferguson, Brenton Strange, and Evan Engram, three players who could level up… or remind you why you keep streaming the position in Week 9.
Let’s see if any of them have that “Gary upside”.
Thanks for the inspiration Billy Bluffalo.
ALL TRADES PULLED 06.17.25 - 06.18.25
Jake Ferguson | TE | Dallas Cowboys
Sleeper: TE16 | Dynasty Nerds: TE16 | DD: TE16 | KTC: TE17 | FantasyPros: TE17
2024 ADP Range: ~88 overall (TE10, Round 8)
Trend: ADP declining; role reducing; strong 2025 TE class
Climber to Sinker
Jake Ferguson was climbing this time last year, fresh off 102 targets and locked in as Dak’s #2 option.
Now? He’s dropped nearly three rounds in ADP, and the slide isn’t over. The Pickens signing signals a shift in the offense
Jake Ferguson was a mid-draft darling in 2023, converting 102 targets into a TE8 finish and pushing his way into a top-10 dynasty TE. He's a rock-solid NFL tight end: smart, tough, and dependable. But in fantasy terms, there’s a ceiling issue.
Ferguson doesn’t have the elite traits to command volume. His success came from opportunity, not overwhelming talent. Dallas has long funneled targets to the tight end — Dalton Schultz was second in targets in both 2021 and 2022, and Ferguson continued that trend in 2023 and 2024. But the pecking order is shifting. George Pickens was brought in to own that No. 2 target role, and rookie Jayden Blue is expected to siphon off underneath work as a dynamic backfield weapon.
Ferguson will still be useful, but it’s more as a situational chain-mover than a volume-driven TE1. Expect him to settle in the TE12–16 range, highly touchdown dependent, and unlikely to reach his previous career benchmarks.
Is he worth a hold, or is this the time to pivot before the floor drops out?
Upgrade Season
Upgrading from Ferguson would be my preferred play, and these deals from the past few days show it’s possible:
Swapped a 3rd and 4th to land Mark Andrews.
Added a 4th to flip for Evan Engram’s usage.
Could likely get a 3rd back with Brenton Strange, but does his ceiling beat Ferguson’s floor?
Threw in a volatile piece like Pacheco to swing a deal for George Kittle
If Ferguson’s value gets you close, use it.
Just Too Pricey?
Managers in TEP leagues are tossing out 2nds and 3rds. But are you paying that for a low-ceiling TE2? What exactly are you hoping he becomes?
Name Value Leverage
Using Kupp + Ferguson as a package lets you flip two declining values into a more valuable pick.
The names still carry weight, and that can move your roster toward an upgrade.
Just Sweetener
He’s being tossed in as a chip to move up in rookie drafts or secure the real target in a deal.
Verdict: Sell Immediately
Ferguson is a fine player, but fine doesn’t win you weeks. His role is safe, but the volume isn’t, and the ceiling is gone. If you are contending, he's replaceable (and often upgradeable) in the current market. Whether you’re chasing Andrews, Engram, or looking to package up for a rookie pick, Ferguson’s value is best spent now… before it fades into the abyss.
Brenton Strange | TE | Jacksonville Jaguars
Sleeper: TE19 | Dynasty Nerds: TE20 | DD: TE21 | KTC: TE22 | FantasyPros: TE20
2024 ADP Range: 300+ overall (Undrafted)
Trend: ADP has risen since 2024, but plateaued in recent months
Offering flashes last season, Brenton Strange was handed the starting TE role this offseason when Jacksonville passed on adding competition in both free agency and the draft. Early camp reports have been positive, and Strange looks confident. The role is his, but what’s that role worth?
Cade Otten received 66 targets from Weeks 3 to 10 last season, a reminder that average tight ends can be fantasy-relevant if the volume is right. Could Strange carve out a similar role? It won’t be easy. Brian Thomas Jr. is the clear alpha and they spent a fortune to move up for Travis Hunter. Finally, add three capable pass-catching backs into the mix. Strange might start, but he’s at best the third option in a crowded pecking order.
That said, Jacksonville wants to increase their pass attempts, and Strange has a chance to earn 5–6 targets per game, enough to land in the backend TE1 mix if touchdowns follow.
But is the market buying in? Or is he still just a throw-in with no real value?
Ghost to Relevance
Brenton Strange was invisible this time last year, buried behind Engram with no path to playing time.
Now? He’s penciled in as the starter entering 2025. Funny what a little patience (and a cap cut) can do.
What the Market Missed
Strange wasn’t some random leap; he was Engram’s primary backup. An early-season hamstring injury opened the door, and Strange made the most of it.
Now, with Engram gone and no rookie TE to compete against, he enters 2025 as the starter and the buzz is real.
Ceiling vs. Stability
Which side are you taking?
Strange and a pick for Pittman. Do you chase upside and future capital… or bet that Pittman has WR2 juice left in the tank?
Paying Up Without the Premium
Even in non-TEP leagues, Strange is pulling future draft picks from managers chasing upside.
No premium scoring, no problem. The role and buzz alone are driving the market.
Are you buying into the breakout?
Pivot Power
Moving off players while there’s still name value is a sharp play.
Pitts feels cursed: bad vibes, uncertain role, and fading market belief. If you can get a lottery ticket QB + TE, that might be one of the best returns you’ll find.
Stevenson could produce early — think mid-RB3 range — but the leash is short. Even if he starts hot, it could dry up fast.
Bryce for Strange?!
Sounds wild at first until you realize it’s TEP and 1QB. In that setup, it’s more coin flip than crazy. If you’re deep at QB and believe in Strange’s role, it’s a legit roster-based call.
Ticking Clock on Monty
David Montgomery can’t keep pulling RB2 numbers forever… right? The cliff is coming. And in 1PT TEP formats, the scales tip heavily toward a starting TE with real volume. If you can pivot off Monty for a younger TE like Strange, it’s worth a pause in these formats.
Who’s Your Flavor?
Brenton Strange. Elijah Arroyo. Terrance Ferguson. Harold Fannin Jr. Mason Taylor. Which one are you betting on to matter in fantasy for 2025?
Verdict: Sell for a 3rd or Better
I’m rooting for Strange, but I’m not betting on a breakout. If it’s between holding him or grabbing a rookie in that late 2nd to early 3rd range, give me the upside swing. Even if Strange has a good NFL season, it’s likely a frustrating one for fantasy managers.
Evan Engram | TE | Denver Broncos
Sleeper: TE15 | Dynasty Nerds: TE15 | DD: TE14 | KTC: TE14 | FantasyPros: TE15
2024 ADP Range: ~95–100 overall (TE11, Round 8/9)
Trend: ADP Declining; turns 31 during the 2025 season; high-end role in ascending offense
Two-Year Window
With over $10M in dead money in 2026, it’s safe to assume Engram isn’t going anywhere. That makes him more than just a 1 year rental.
Evan Engram Contract 2025 - 2026. OverTheCap.com
Evan Engram rose back to life in 2022 after being asleep in dynasty obscurity since his rookie year, then exploded in 2023 with a historic target total and TE2 finish. He entered last season still clinging to top-100 ADP, backed by expectations of immediate points and a steady weekly floor. But the results didn’t follow. Injuries and offensive inconsistency derailed what was supposed to be another strong campaign.
Jacksonville hit the reset button this offseason, and Engram became a cap casualty. But one team’s trash is Sean Payton’s new “Joker.” Denver handed Engram a fresh deal, signaling a clear two-year role in an offense looking for playmakers. And in Payton’s system, this isn’t just window dressing, it’s a high-utility role that delivers fantasy value in chunks. If Engram stays healthy, he’ll produce.
Is Engram still a late-round win-now plug, or can you flip him for real value before the wheels fall off again?
Worth the 2nd
TEP or not, I’ll drop a 2nd for Engram if I need a starter. He’s not elite, but he’s active, and that can be the difference between a 6-point dud and a weekly win.
The Ceiling of the Market
This is the high end, did not see managers paying a 1st for Engram. Two future 2nds or a player + 2nd was about the top. As a contender, that’s a price well worth the value.
Lock It In
Easy call. Mason’s ceiling doesn’t sniff Engram’s.
Give me the TE who can swing a matchup, not the flex RB.
Engram Isn’t Worth the Crown Jewels
I’m not seeing 1sts move for Engram, so why take the equivalent of two? These are steal deals for Bowers or BTJ. I’ll take that long-term value every time.
VERDICT: Buy Engram. The market is quieter than expected for a player with top 5 TE upside. He’s a weekly difference maker, and worth the price for a plug-and-play starter. However, don’t get tunnel vision. Always be checking in on stars you like. Start talks and test values. Be ready to move anyone if the right deal comes around.
