The countdown to the next college football season continues, and that’s why we are going to take some time and take a look at five tight ends that YOU should stash in your Campus to Canton fantasy football leagues. These are guys who you might recognize or might not have ever heard about. Either way, these players can be very impactful for your fantasy championship aspirations.
Oscar Delp, Georgia
Oscar Delp didn’t get much time to shine last season thanks to Georgia boasting Brock Bowers. With Bowers in the NFL now, it gives Delp a chance to swoop in and shine in the starting tight end role for this offense. He’s shown flashes of his talent already, now all he needs to do is consistently perform.
In 2023, acting as the backup to Bowers, he hauled in 24 receptions for 284 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 11.8 yards per catch and could look to build on it even more in 2024. Not to mention that Delp has a tremendous frame at 6’5” and 245 lbs.
As for his Campus to Canton fantasy league potential, he’s somebody that you should have stashed last season and still can if the name isn’t very familiar. Delp should get many opportunities to seal himself away as the top tight end in Georgia, though he’ll still need to prove that he can be fantasy-relevant for a full season.
Jaleel Skinner, Louisville
Jaleel Skinner has fallen off people’s radars because he simply hasn’t been on the football field very much lately. The former Miami Hurricane tight end is choosing to shake things up in 2024, committing to the University of Louisville moving forward. The change could be good for Skinner, who has potential. The true problem is that he’s consistently injured.
Across all of 2022, Skinner appeared in only six games. In 2023, Skinner appeared in just one, catching one pass for nine yards. On paper, he hasn’t contributed much at all across two separate seasons. However, there is still time for the 6’5” tight end to be an impactful difference-maker in a new school.
Considering his past two seasons, his value might be low when it comes to fantasy football. Snagging him for cheap could be a great option down the line. If he stays healthy for an entire season, he could get a true shot to breakout at Louisville. Plus, a new school could be the change of scenery he needed.
Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
Rivaldo Fairweather has been around the college game for a good bit now and he’s seemingly developed further each season. His first two years saw him bring in two touchdowns and 400 combined receiving yards. His most recent two years have watched him combine for nine touchdowns and 800 receiving yards. Fairweather has developed more as a red zone pass catcher who excels in the middle of the field.
Assuming he can continue developing over at Auburn, Fairweather will always provide some sort of value near the end zone. Every team loves having a strong tight end to throw out near the end zone, and in the middle of the field when they need a tough, physical catch. Fairweather has proven to be that type of reliable weapon.
For fantasy, it seems obvious why he’d be a strong stash. He isn’t posting insane numbers that make him impossible to ignore, though he’s consistently getting value in certain areas of the field. With the way the tight end position has struggled lately, getting a guy that is utilized in the red zone is huge.
Corey Dyches, Maryland
Corey Dyches has been a very solid threat at Maryland when it comes to racking up yards after the catch. However, there is potential for him to do so much more on the field. Many have faith in his abilities as a pass catcher and are hopeful that he’s going to continue developing at the rate he currently is going.
In three collegiate seasons, Dyches has posted very good receiving numbers. He had 208 yards and four touchdowns in year one, followed by 494 yards and three touchdowns in year 2, then 491 yards and two touchdowns in year three. Oh, and each of those years saw him get more receptions, starting from 19, then 39, and most recently 49. Maryland knows what they have in him, and he’s been up for the increased productivity.
As it pertains to fantasy football relevancy, Dyches has the makings of a tight end who can contribute everywhere on the field. He might not have the same red-zone upside as others, but he does have run-after-the-catch ability while also finding ways to punch the ball in for six. Combining those two things together makes him a very interesting breakout candidate who everyone might want by the end of the 2024 season.
Mason Tharp, Texas Tech
Tight ends usually need to be larger in their frame to fight out those tough yards, haul in red-zone touchdowns, and be a great blocker. When it comes to Mason Tharp, there is no question that he’s got the size to accomplish all of those things and then some. Tharp is monstrous, listed at 6’9” and 270 pounds. He’s somebody that you simply can’t ignore defensively because he will find a way to catch a ball even in single coverage.
Now, his red-zone presence is supremely strong. He’s scored seven touchdowns on just 44 receptions throughout his collegiate career, but there’s room for even more improvement. If he does take another step forward in productivity, it’s incredibly hard not to be excited about his future.
For fantasy football leagues, Mason Tharp feels like somebody who should be at least rostered in every league. Again, the production hasn’t been unbelievable yet. Despite that, his size provides him an advantage against almost every single defense in the country. Sometimes, it won’t matter how well he’s defended if he can simply out-reach his opponents. That, in itself, creates fantasy football relevancy for the tight end position.