College Football Fantasy Five: 2021 TE Sleepers

This article is part of our College Football Fantasy Five series.

Even though there are no official college football games being played, it doesn't mean that we can't start preparing for the 2021 fantasy college football season. We're getting closer to the summer portion in the off-season, so I'm going to reveal my top five sleepers at the tight end position for 2021.

Over the last couple of months, I've already touched on the QB, RB & WR positions:

2021 QB Newcomers
2021 RB Sleepers
2021 WR Sleepers
Top 2022 NFL Draft Prospects

My top five tight ends in no particular order are Iowa State's Charlie Kolar, Utah's Brant Kuithe, Nevada's Cole Turner, Oklahoma's Austin Stogner and Texas A&M's Jalen Wydermyer. I mention these guys because this position isn't typically picked until the later rounds anyways. If you can't get one of these aforementioned elite options, here are my five sleepers who can all be had near the very end of fantasy drafts. I also don't mind stacking a couple of these guys to prevent other teams from having a legitimate TE because the position has been historically so shallow.

5.) Sean Dykes, Memphis

Dykes has the upside to be the top performer at the tight end position nationally because he will be one of the most experienced as a graduate senior and because he's playing in a dynamic Memphis offense. The Tigers shouldn't lose a beat with QB Grant Gunnell and Dykes should be a nice complimentary piece to WR Calvin Austin, just as he was last year with 47 catches for 581 yards and seven touchdowns on 67 targets. That production ranked 15th in the nation at 9.1 fantasy points per game.

4.) Greg Dulcich, UCLA

There's a chance Dulcich receives enough buzz before the season starts to be off the board among my top five guys, but just in case he's not, he's worth targeting. In just seven games in 2020, he had 26 catches for 517 yards for a ridiculous 19.9 yards per catch. He also had five touchdowns, which shows the type of explosiveness that this Bruin has. He also has the benefit of Dorian Thompson-Robinson returning at QB which is always a plus at the TE position.

3.) Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Mayer has the potential to be a superstar for the Fighting Irish. Despite limited reps to start his freshman season, his 61 targets over 12 games ranked seventh in the nation. He was particularly impactful down the stretch with at least five catches and six targets in each of Notre Dame's final three games. One of his best games was against Alabama in the Playoff with seven catches for 62 yards on nine targets. If he can continue that run of consistency, he'll be an elite option in 2021.

2.) Peyton Hendershot, Indiana

After a breakout 2019 season with 52 catches for 622 yards and four touchdowns on 67 targets, Hendershot had an underwhelming season with just 23 catches for 151 yards in eight games in 2020. I'm not too worried about the dip in production though as he still had four touchdowns and 42 targets which actually equates to 5.25 targets per game which was an improvement from the 5.15 targets per game from his breakout year. QB Michael Penix suffered an injury in the middle of the season and the late start for Big Ten football really skewed what could have been in 2020.

1.) Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

It's not a coincidence that my top three sleepers at the TE position are for Midwest teams who have a knack for running the ball and playing in cold weather towards the end of the season. I think this type of football lines up perfectly for the TE position which gives them an edge based on overall production even though there are some more talented players out there. Ferguson is not lacking talent as he is an NFL prospect and, realistically, the Badgers' top receiving option for 2021. Being the grandson of the former Athletic Director has some perks as Ferguson has at least 30 catches and 43 targets in each of the last three years. His decision to come back for one final year with the Badgers should result in a record year in the production department.