Dalton Kincaid: Top TE Breakout Pick for 2025 Fantasy Football

As the football season looms large and participants eagerly engage in fantasy football drafts, now presents a pivotal opportunity to discern which athletes might emerge as the season’s unexpected success stories.

While the benefit of hindsight often simplifies assessments, pinpointing rising stars poised for significant advancement frequently becomes the catalyst propelling fantasy managers toward championship glory.

Over the upcoming days, I will spotlight my top choices for breakout potential across each pivotal fantasy position. Today’s focus centers on tight ends.

[Justin Boone’s 2025 breakout candidates: QB | RB | WR | TE]

Dalton Kincaid, Bills

Following Joe Brady’s ascent to the Bills’ offensive coordinator role and the departure of a prominent target magnet in Stefon Diggs, the team’s offensive strategy has embraced a more distributed approach. Last year witnessed WR Khalil Shakir as the sole player surpassing 80 targets; nonetheless, the results speak for themselves, as Buffalo has maintained one of the league’s most potent offenses under Brady’s direction and Josh Allen secures his initial MVP distinction.

This bears emphasizing, as fantasy managers in pursuit of the next breakthrough tight end should prioritize those with the potential to rank among their offense’s top-two target options. As Andrew Cooper of Fantasy Alarm has previously noted, most top-tier fantasy TE1 performances originate from players meeting this criterion.

This leads us back to Kincaid, who concluded the prior year second on the Bills in target acquisition with 75—despite contending with shoulder and knee injuries that sidelined him for four contests and limited his performance in several others. During the initial nine weeks, preceding the PCL sprain that benched him for a month, Kincaid was on pace to secure 102 targets. Only four tight ends reached the 100-target threshold last year—Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, and Jonnu Smith. Commendable company indeed.

Furthermore, this isn’t Kincaid’s first instance of finishing second in team targets. Recalling his rookie season two years prior, he garnered 91 targets while navigating a gradual ramp-up during the opening month and missing a game due to injury. However, throughout the final 12 weeks, Kincaid held the TE11 position in fantasy points per game, ultimately achieving 73 receptions for 673 yards and two scores.

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One might suggest that had he maintained complete health in the prior season, he might have surpassed these statistics and possibly already achieved a breakout. Even amid injury concerns, 2024 featured multiple near-misses where Kincaid was open, yet Allen failed to connect on significant plays. Had these connections materialized, Kincaid would likely be a prominent topic of discussion.

Thus, although fantasy managers might harbor disappointment due to the unfulfilled potential of the former first-round tight end, I contend that Kincaid retains a pathway toward fantasy stardom. Should the 25-year-old remain healthy and exhibit a more typical touchdown rate, he’ll become a highly desirable addition to your weekly lineup.

Boone’s redraft rank: TE11 (Low-end TE1 with a path to top-seven production)

Tucker Kraft, Packers

Whether Kraft merits inclusion on this roster remains debatable, considering his prior season yielded 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. Such output sufficed to position him as the TE12 in fantasy points per game; however, I anticipate an even higher placement in 2025. Kraft showcased remarkable abilities with possession of the ball (leading all TEs in yards after catch per reception), while establishing himself as the Packers’ unequivocal starter at the position.

Should concerns arise regarding the return of Luke Musgrave, who missed time due to injuries, or the arrival of first-round wideout Matthew Golden, dismiss them. Jordan Love has publicly affirmed that Kraft’s usage represents a focal point for the team during this offseason. Green Bay similarly employs an offensive scheme that favors ball distribution; therefore, anticipate Kraft to remain among the team leaders in targets.

Boone’s redraft rank: TE12 (Low-end TE with a path to top-seven production)

Colston Loveland, Bears

While a discussion regarding Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely would be warranted here, Mark Andrews continues to impede his true breakout potential. Furthermore, given the performance trajectory of rookie tight ends in recent years, omitting their potential impact on the fantasy landscape this season appears imprudent. Loveland stands out as an explosive pass-catching weapon possessing top-10 draft capital, whom the Bears prioritized under the direction of the new Ben Johnson regime. While anticipating a debut season mirroring Sam LaPorta’s under Johnson in Detroit might prove overly optimistic, Loveland is poised to play a pivotal role in an ascending Bears’ offense.

Boone’s redraft rank: TE10 (Low-end TE1 whose ceiling will only be limited by target competition in Chicago)

Tyler Warren, Colts

The Colts’ recurring habit of utilizing a tight end by committee will cease, now that Warren secured the 14th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old presents an impressive all-around prospect, having posted an exceptional final college season statistical line comprising 104 catches, 1,233 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 26 carries, 218 rushing yards, and four rushing scores. Multiple beat writers have commented on the frequency with which Warren received the ball during OTAs, further indicating the team’s intention to leverage his skills effectively in Year 1.

Boone’s redraft rank: TE13 (Borderline low-end TE1 with a chance to rise quickly if Colts feature him)