Ringo’s 2024 TE Sleepers/Picks

*Note some of these calls aren’t sleepers just players I think could have a good year. It’s difficult to find a true sleeper in today’s fantasy football landscape, but I’ll do my best to uncover some longshots in larger leagues or leagues with deeper rosters.

Kyle Pitts (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 6 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 1)
The Falcons ponied up for the best QB in free agency when they went out and signed veteran Kirk Cousins to a huge deal. Admiral Kirk will be the best QB Kyle Pitts has ever played with, and the upgrade should help the Falcons' offense boldly go where no man has gone before: The end zone ha ha! Atlanta also changed the coaching staff (new head coach Raheem Morris and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson) which should lead to a more pass-oriented offense. Pitts was unstoppable in college, and, as long as he and Cousins can stay healthy, it's logical to think that Pitts will not only dominate this season, but for many years to come. "Helm, lock phasers on Kyle Pitts (one of Ringo's favorite draft targets in 2024).....Fire Mr. Sulu!"

David Njoku (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 10 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 4) Last year, here’s what I wrote about David Njoku…..

If you believe in DeShaun Watson as I do, then you should believe in David Njoku too. Njoku's biggest strength is his athleticism. He makes acrobatic catches and can flat-out fly (see his career highlights below). In addition, Watson is the best QB he's ever had. The Browns should pass it a bunch this year. There's no way they're paying Watson $230 million to hand the ball off.

Well, I was partially right. Njoku finally showed fantasy fans what he’s capable of. However, he did most of his damage last year with Joe Flacco, not DeShaun Watson. I still believe in Watson. If DeShaun’s shoulder is ok, and his doctor expects it to be 100% before the season starts, then I’m in on Njoku too. With a consensus ranking at TE 10, Njoku seems like a pretty good value given his talent and situation. I guess what Ringo is saying is if you don’t take Njoku and this pick hits, the joke is on you haha! I’ll see myself out now haha! Sleeper

Dalton Kincaid (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 5 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 3)
Prior to the start of free agency, I was the highest fantasy football analyst on Dalton Kincaid. The reason for that was I fully expect him to take another step forward this year. And then Buffalo decided to screw me, by letting Gabe Davis walk and trading Stefon Diggs. Now, plenty of analysts are on the Dalton Kincaid bandwagon- ugh! Honestly, it’s amazing how many times I get royally screwed in these ranking contests. Anyway, I digress. Where was I? Oh yeah, Kincaid is a TE in name only. He's really a WR. That's why scouts rave about him- his receiving prowess. And he has one of the best QBs in the league throwing him the rock- Josh Allen.

There's a whole lot of fantasy lovin' about what Dalton "don't call him Reuben from The Partridge Family" Kincaid is bringing. Come on get happy! You think my jokes are bad, wait until you guys hear me sing haha! I'm going to be singing "I Think I Love You" & "Come on Get Happy" all year long haha! Come on Get Happy! Come on get Happyeee! Draft some Mr. Kincaid in 2023! -Ringo Partridge

Brock Bowers (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 11)
Bowers is one of the most talented TE prospects to come in years. He’s more heralded than Sam LaPorta was. He’s known for his receiving chops and YAC (yards after catch) ability. My main concern is the Raiders’ limitations on offense (QB and the offensive line) which most likely caps his fantasy potential. That said, there are worse dart throws to gamble on when it comes to TE. Bowers seems fairly valued at his current consensus rankings at TE 11.

So, listen to Mr. Ringo Miyagi. When it comes to your draft: stand, Bow. Make block. Left, right. Up, down. Sideline to sideline. Breathe in, breathe out. And no scare fish (other drafters who don’t follow Ringo’s sleepers and busts haha!)

Taysom Hill (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 20 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 9) Longshot Pick
Taysom Hill is the Rodney Dangerfield of TEs. He gets “No Respect” from the fantasy analysts in the Expert Consensus Rankings at Fantasy Pros. Well, except for Mark Ringo. But he’s not an expert. Idiot- yes. Expert-no, haha! Hill is still a major weapon in the red zone. Note, the Saints have a new offensive coordinator, Clint Kubiak. Clint is the son of former Texans head coach, Gary Kubiak. Gary used to play for Mike Shanahan in Denver, Kyle’s dad. And that’s where Clint just came from, San Francisco, coaching under Kyle Shanahan, who used Deebo Samuel in some creative ways. After my long winded paragraph, here’s the point….it would not shock me if Clint used Taysom like Deebo Samuel was used in San Francisco. And he could use Hill more often than the Saints used Hill last year.

With a current consensus ranking of TE 20, Hill is a cheap lottery ticket to grab. Remember, when you get into the late rounds of your draft, don’t try for a single. Instead, take a home run swing because if you connect, it’s a game changer. When you consider Hill's potential usage as a wildcat QB in the coveted red zone, few TEs at his current price tag offer the ceiling that The Hill has. I guess what I'm saying is this is a fantasy Hill I'm willing to die on haha!

Who dat rank The Hill so high and tell these bad jokes?

Mark Ringo dat who. Haha!! Sleeper (start video below at 2:00)

Pat Freiermuth (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 13)
UPDATE (8/23) The Steelers line has struggled in the preseason. In addition, starting center, Nate Herbig, is out with a shoulder injury for an extended length of time. Rookie backup, Zach Frazier, will take over. Frazier was a highly regarded prospect coming out of West Virginia, but it’s still never ideal when the veteran starter goes down. I’m going to bump Freiermuth down a few spots.

The current consensus ranking for Freiermuth is TE 13. He seems fairly priced in 2024. The Steelers upgraded their QB room. Kenny Pickett is gone. And now it’s Russell Wilson and Justin Fields throwing passes in the Steel City. My biggest concern is the addition of new offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith. Smith is known for emphasizing the running game. For that reason, I’m tempering some of my optimism.

Freiermuth, from now on, your Delta Chi name is Moth Ball. Despite Smith, Freiermuth aka “Moth Ball” is more of a WR than a TE. He is a mismatch weapon who defenders have difficulty covering. And he’s healthy this year. Hopefully, Arthur Smith will “Let Russ Cook” using the “Air Freier”. Just think of the jokes I could have at Heinz Field if Roethlisberger comes out of retirement haha! Some of you might think Moth Ball’s score with Smith calling the plays will be a zero. I myself was so obnoxious that my readers used to beat me up after my bad advice and terrible jokes every season. So this guy might make you a fantasy loser. Well, let me tell you the story of another loser……haha!)

Tyler Conklin (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 18/ Ringo’s Ranking TE 15)
Let’s try this again. Last year I wrote, Aaron Rodgers upgrades the entire Jets offense. Yeah, that went well.

Every week Tyler gave the rules that he and I decided. Gentlemen (and ladies), welcome to Sleepers and Busts Fight Club. The first rule of Sleepers and Busts Fight Club is, You do not talk about Ringo’s misses from Sleepers and Busts Fight Club! The second rule of Sleepers and Busts Fight Club is, You do not talk about Ringo’s misses from Sleepers and Busts Fight Club!!! (Actually, I don’t care as long as you’re respectful. This is just a bit, haha!) And finally, if this is your first time at Sleepers and Busts Fight Club…you have to fight (for a fantasy football title)! (see video below)

If Rodgers can stay healthy- easier said than done with this line, Conklin seems like a good bet to outperform his draft position. The only concern, which I already mentioned, is the Jets’ offensive line. It’s still shaky. That could mean Conklin has to stay in to help protect the Jets' star QB. Hopefully Rodgers doesn’t get killed. Last year was a land rush to whoever was playing QB for the Jets. However, at this reasonable price, (current ECR TE 18) Conklin is worth a shot. Hmnn….I’m predicting a TE on the Jets to do well. What could possibly go wrong? Let’s see how the Jets’ fans feel about my call (see second video below). Haha! Sleeper

Noah Fant (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 22 / Ringo’s Ranking TE 19)

UPDATE (8/07) Fant was injured in practice. I’m not sure how bad it is. Monitor this situation over the coming days.

I now know what Captain Ahab feels like. Noah Fant is my white whale when it comes to picking a sleeper TE. It seems like every year, Fant is on my sleeper list and every year he disappoints and makes me look foolish. (Yeah yeah I know…..well, make that more foolish than usual, haha). I’ve liked Fant ever since he came out of college, University of Iowa, otherwise known as TE University by Andy Behrens. Honestly, I thought Fant would make a bigger fantasy impact than his former teammate, T.J. Hockenson, but so far that hasn’t been the case. Anyway, Pete Carroll is gone and it’s Mike Macdonald and new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, who will be calling the shot. Seattle just signed Fant to a new contract while letting Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson leave in free agency. Fant should see more playing time since he’s now atop the depth chart. I guess what Mark Ringo is saying is that Noah might be a good FANTasy sleeper, haha. Look at the bright side, even if my picks suck you guys will always have Ringo’s catch of the day, his terrible puns/jokes haha!

Austin Hooper (Fantasy Pros Expert Consensus Ranking TE 58 Ringo’s Ranking 43) Even though I’m higher than the consensus on Austin Hooper, he is NOT one of my sleepers. This is just for entertainment purposes. But sometimes you just get the perfect storm when it comes to Ringo’s corny jokes/lines. Of all the teams for Hooper (aka Hoopah) to play for, it’s New England, haha! And when it comes to Ringo’s terrible jokes, you’re going to need a bigger bottle of alcohol, haha! Stop playing with yourself, Hoopah! Slow ahead, if you please.