- Must-haves 1/5
- Boosters 2/4
Requirements — the must-haves
✓Year-3 (or later) breakout window4 vs >=32026TEs develop late: the year-3 leap is the classic TE breakout timing. · 7.8% break out with it vs 17.4% without
✗Age 26 or younger28 vs <=262025Still ascending; late-blooming but not aged out. · 13.2% break out with it vs 5.2% without
✗Target share ≥ 15%3.5 vs >=152025A 15%+ share is the usage floor for a startable TE1. · 26.7% break out with it vs 7.3% without
✗Route participation ≥ 55%26.2 vs >=552025A TE who runs routes instead of blocking is the prerequisite. Almost no tight end reaches a WR-level 75%, so 55% of dropbacks is the line where the breakout rate jumps. · 25.9% break out with it vs 4.7% without
✗Depth chart: the real TE1 entering the season0 vs >=12026Same signal as the RB depth rule: a TE2 entering the season is a blocker/situational piece until an injury or a real camp battle changes that, which last season's stats alone can't show. · 9.2% break out with it vs 7.1% without
Boosters — what raises the ceiling
✗Red-zone target share ≥ 18%1.9 vs >=182025TEs live on touchdowns; red-zone looks drive TE1 seasons. · 27.1% break out with it vs 8% without
✓Day 1–2 draft capital (pick ≤ 100)58 vs <=1002025Pedigree predicts the coaching investment a TE breakout needs. · 17.7% break out with it vs 6.1% without
✗Flex/seam role: aDOT ≥ 87.2 vs >=82025A move TE used down the seam beats an in-line blocker for fantasy. · 15.6% break out with it vs 7.5% without
✓Pass protection: line top-109 vs <=102025A tight end who stays in to block does not run routes. Lines that hold up let him release, and give the quarterback time for the intermediate throws he lives on. · 12.6% break out with it vs 7.9% without
