JUST IN :After the Stefon Diggs trade, there may be changes in Dalton Kincaid’s fantasy football outlook. With Diggs no longer on the team, Kincaid could see an increase in opportunities and potentially become a more prominent factor in the offense.

The Buffalo Bills’ trade of Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans could pave the way for Dalton Kincaid to emerge as an elite fantasy football weapon.

After years of discontent with the organization, the Buffalo Bills have finally traded wide receiver Stefon Diggs. From a fantasy football perspective, this move opens up opportunities for players like Dalton Kincaid, Curtis Samuel, and Khalil Shakir. While Samuel and Shakir are expected to receive their fair share of targets, Kincaid stands out as a player with significant potential.

Drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Kincaid was selected by the Bills to become the focal point of their passing attack. Reliable tight ends are often valuable assets in fantasy football, and there is speculation that Kincaid could become one of the most sought-after players in the game in 2024

Fantasy Football: Assessment of Dalton Kincaid Post Stefon Diggs Trade
Dalton Kincaid’s Role in the Team

Opportunity is futile without inherent talent, prompting us to assess Dalton Kincaid’s potential relevance in fantasy football. As previously noted, Kincaid stood out as the sole tight end chosen in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, indicating his promising prospects. Moreover, despite Sam LaPorta receiving the lion’s share of attention last season, Kincaid managed to deliver a commendable performance during his rookie year.

Playing in all 16 games, the Utah alum concluded the season with impressive stats: 73 receptions for 673 yards and three touchdowns on 91 targets, positioning him as the TE11 in PPR formats. These numbers are notably robust, particularly for a tight end. Historically, transitioning from college to professional football presents challenges, especially for tight ends. Therefore, Dalton Kincaid’s ability to contribute is an optimistic indicator for his future.

Examining advanced metrics reinforces this narrative. Kincaid’s 17.7% target share ranked 14th in the NFL, while his 11.4% air yard share ranked 19th. In terms of efficiency, Kincaid’s 1.48 yards per route run placed him 16th in the NFL, consistent with the workload he received. This translated to a respectable 68.8 PFF grade, marking the 20th best out of 72 tight ends. Once again, these statistics are commendable for a rookie and hint at Dalton Kincaid’s potential to become a valuable asset in fantasy football come 2024.

Considering the current team setup, notable pass-catchers aside from Kincaid include Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Dawson Knox. Kincaid has already surpassed Knox on the depth chart, alleviating concerns about his fantasy football impact. While Samuel is a reliable player, he’s not exceptionally outstanding at this stage of his career, and Shakir is better suited for a depth role. The Bills understand that Day 3 receivers with impressive efficiency don’t always excel in larger roles.

With the Bills poised to make early picks in the upcoming draft, it’s probable that one will be used on a wide receiver. However, it’s unlikely that this receiver will match Diggs’ caliber. Consequently, Dalton Kincaid is positioned to be a primary or secondary option in a Josh Allen-led offense, which bodes well for fantasy football enthusiasts.

In terms of dynasty perspective, Kincaid might not currently belong to the elite tier inhabited by players like Sam LaPorta, Trey McBride, and Mark Andrews, although he could ascend there within the next year. Nonetheless, among tight ends, he holds a favorable position relative to others like T.J. Hockenson, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle, boasting the advantage of a superior quarterback in Josh Allen. While prospects like Brock Bowers could potentially surpass him with the right landing spot, such determinations are yet to unfold. Redraft rankings are unlikely to differ significantly, though Kelce might occupy the top tier in that format.