If you’re not one of the fantasy players who plan to draft a top three to five name on the board at tight end in the early rounds, finding a good combination of draft value and on-field performance can be difficult.

We’ve looked into the best options at a feast or famine position among the players going later in drafts and provide some insight into why they might put their stamp on this season and potentially your roster in 2023.

Greg Dulcich, DEN (ADP 136, TE16)

Dulcich was a top-ten fantasy tight end for an 11-week stretch during the 2022 season in an offense that ranked dead last in points scored and 21st in total offense during a disappointing campaign.

He led all rookie tight ends with 41.1 receiving yards per game and ranked third in his class in targets and receptions despite playing just ten games.

The infusion of a Sean Payton scheme around Russell Wilson could bring out the best in the highly-paid signal caller, and Dulcich will be there to reap the benefits as one of the top pass catchers on the team from a season ago.

Irv Smith, CIN (ADP 156, TE18)

Smith assumes the lead tight end role in Cincinnati, with Hayden Hurst ending up in Carolina on a three-year free-agent deal. Smith is on a prove-it contract with the Bengals after missing 26 games in the last two seasons and is set up for success if he can stay on the field.

Hurst saw 5+ targets per game in 13 appearances for a team in the top eight in the NFL in scoring offense. Smith himself was on pace to double his career-high in targets as a Viking before an injury derailed him for the second straight year.

Cincinnati attempted the 7th-most passes in 2022, and while their dynamic receiving corps and Pro Bowl running back will demand a lot of touches, Smith should get chances to contribute that measure above his ADP.

Mike Gesicki, NE (ADP 171, TE22)

The one-time second-rounder was stuck in a system that deprioritized him well below his abilities as a pass-catcher in 2022 and cost him significant value in a contract year.

Gesicki signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with New England this offseason, a fit that could allow him to re-emerge as one of the more productive players at the position. In 32 games from 2020-21, Gesicki ranked fourth in targets, fifth in receiving yards, seventh in catches, and 16th in touchdowns among all tight ends.

A change of scenery could help the highly-touted player from Penn State to find his form in 2023.

Tyler Conklin, NYJ (ADP 208, TE26)

Where Gesicki upgraded his surroundings by switching teams, Conklin did so by remaining in New York. He and his teammates should see a significant upgrade at quarterback with the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, and Conklin is the lead tight end in the Jets’ offense who’s produced with QBs of lesser ability.

Over the last two seasons, Conklin is ninth in targets and 14th in receiving yards compared to his TE peers, and was TE16 last season in half-PPR scoring with Zach Wilson and Mike White, all due respect.

Conklin could make the leap from possible starter consideration week-to-week to top-12 player at the position in 2023 with Rodgers and is worth a look in the late rounds.