Top 24 Tight End Rankings & Tiers - 2026 Fantasy Football

If David Njoku signs with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dykes would be 'absolutely nuked' in terms of target share and opportunity. His current role as the Chargers' primary tight end is contingent on Njoku remaining elsewhere, making him a high-risk fade if the Njoku signing materializes.

Barner is grouped with other tight ends in this range that the analyst would not draft in regular redraft leagues, recommending they be left on the waiver wire.

A.J. Barner and other tight ends in this tier should not be drafted in regular redraft leagues; they are waiver wire options better suited for Underdog Best Ball formats where roster depth forces late-round tight end selections.

Despite a disappointing 2025 season marked by early-season injury (weeks 2–4 under 10 PPG, missed weeks 5–7) and poor offensive context with Geno Smith and an incompetent Raiders coaching staff, Bowers still averaged 14.5 PPG and finished as TE2. For 2026, Geno Smith ranks him TE1 due to significant improvements: upgraded from Geno Smith to Fernando Mendoza at QB, only 23 years old, minimal target competition (Jalen Nailor is the only offensive addition), and projected 27–28% team target share at tight end. The efficiency gains from better QB play and offensive context should substantially improve on his respectable 2025 PPG.

In games where CeeDee Lamb played, Ferguson averaged 9.6 fantasy points per game and finished as tight end 18; when Lamb was absent, Ferguson averaged 17.7 points per game and was tight end two. This demonstrates Ferguson's fantasy value is heavily dependent on Lamb's health status.

Chigoziem Okonkwo showed upside at the end of last year and benefits from being on a Commanders team with limited weaponry and good quarterback play, creating opportunity for target volume.

Loveland was a top-10 pick who produced nothing through most of his rookie season, taking zeros in lineups through week 5. However, he erupted in the final four games of 2025 with 10, 13, 15, and 10 targets (averaging 12–13 targets per game), posting 21 PPG in week 17, 25 PPG in week 18, then 15 targets and 137 yards vs. Green Bay and 10 targets vs. Los Angeles in playoffs. With DJ Moore's departure, target share should expand further. At only 21 years old, Geno Smith compares him to 21-year-old Rob Gronkowski, 21-year-old Aaron Hernandez, and 21-year-old Cole Kmet, suggesting elite ceiling. Geno Smith says Loveland is 'set up to absolutely smash.'

Loveland emerged dramatically in final four games of rookie season with 10, 13, 15, and 10 targets, averaging 12–13 targets per game; posted 21 and 25 fantasy points in weeks 17–18, then 15 targets and 137 yards vs. Green Bay and 10 targets vs. Los Angeles in playoffs. With DJ Moore's departure, target share should expand further. Age-21 comps to Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Cole Kmet suggest elite ceiling. Geno Smith says Loveland is 'set up to absolutely smash.'

Goedert had a career year as tight end six in PPG last season, but the production was driven entirely by touchdown regression. From 2019–2024, his receptions averaged 4.9–5.1 per game and targets averaged 3.7–4.6 per game; over the past three seasons, receiving yards per game actually declined. His career-high touchdowns before 2025 was five (in 2019), but he scored 11 last season. With targets and receptions flat and yards declining, regression is inevitable. Philadelphia also drafted an athletic tight end in round two of the 2025 NFL Draft, which will further limit Goedert's opportunities.

Kincaid is extremely difficult to rank due to snap count limitations and injury concerns. He played only 38% of snaps per game with Buffalo last year and ran just 16 routes per game. Early offseason reports indicate his injury will continue limiting him in 2027, and he apparently didn't undergo corrective surgery. Despite strong efficiency metrics—over 3 yards per route and over 11 yards per target—his limited field time makes it hard to trust him for consistent production.

Schultz was tight end 15 in PPG last season but is entering his age 30 season with a declining production trend. He hasn't averaged more than 11 fantasy points per game since 2021 when he was a Dallas Cowboy, signaling sustained decline.

There is a very real chance Njoku signs with the Los Angeles Chargers, which would significantly impact the tight end landscape. If this happens, Arron Dykes would be 'absolutely nuked' in terms of target share, while additional targets would open up for the Chargers offense. This pending move creates uncertainty for Njoku's own role and for downstream tight end values.

Kittle tore his Achilles on January 11th; the average recovery timeline for torn Achilles is longer than 9 months, creating a very real chance he won't return to fantasy football until after Thanksgiving. In standard leagues without IR, he is effectively undraftable and should be targeted off waivers. In leagues with IR (ESPN, Yahoo), he can be drafted and stashed for playoff upside. Before injury, he was tight end three in fantasy points per game at 14.68 PPG. Draft value is highly dependent on league settings; in Underdog drafts where all money is up for grabs in weeks 15–17, he may be worth targeting due to playoff upside.

Fannin improved from 10.7 PPG (first half) to 12.6 PPG (second half), reaching TE6 in second half. In four games without David Njoku, he posted 26% team target share and ranked TE4 in target share despite being only 21 years old. Age-21 comps to Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and David Njoku suggest elite historical precedent. However, his 2026 situation deteriorated significantly: coaching staff changed (uncertain impact), Deshaun Watson is the worst quarterback in the NFL and has torn his Achilles twice since last season, and the Browns drafted two wide receivers (Casey Conceição in round one, Denzel Boston in round two) adding target competition. Despite strong underlying metrics, the quarterback and receiver additions create substantial headwinds.

Henry has been a top 16 tight end in PPG for three straight seasons, but expectations are that the Eagles have A.J. Brown and drafted a tight end in round three, creating competition for targets and threatening his role.

Likely signed with the New York Giants at age 26 but has never finished higher than tight end 20 in PPG despite waiver wire hype following the opening night Chiefs-Ravens game. He now steps into a decent situation with Malik Nabers and limited competition, but his market value exceeds his actual fantasy production potential given his ceiling-limited history.

Ferguson's production is heavily dependent on CeeDee Lamb's availability. In games without Lamb, Ferguson averaged 17.7 fantasy points per game and was TE2 in fantasy. In games with Lamb, he averaged 9.6 PPG and was TE18. This means you are essentially drafting Ferguson as a contingency play for potential injuries to Lamb or Dak Prescott, not for his standalone value.

Johnson had his first season in his NFL career with over 10 fantasy points per game, but now faces additional competition with Jordan Akins coming in, threatening his role and target share.

Pitts was TE5 in PPG last year at 12.4 PPG with a 22.7% team target share—his highest since 2022. He is clearly the third name in the Falcons offense behind Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Despite uncertain quarterback play (Michael Penix's NFL efficiency is concerning; Tua would be preferable), Pitts is only 25 years old and will be playing for his contract, creating upside. His week 15 explosion (45 points) demonstrates ceiling potential. Geno Smith is excited about the overall upside for a player still only 25 years old.

Andrews finished tight end 24 in PPG last season with 7.7 fantasy points per game, 1.3 yards per route, and 6 yards per target—all career lows by a significant margin. His efficiency metrics have collapsed, signaling a sustained decline in production.

LaPorta, 25 years old, has been a top-10 tight end in fantasy for three straight seasons (TE3 in rookie year, TE9 last season, TE7 in 2025). His target share has been capped at only 18.6% last year and 17% the year before (21% in rookie season), suggesting contingent upside if a wide receiver like Amon-Ra St. Brown gets injured. He remains a consistent, safe option in a good offense despite not being flooded with targets.

Hockenson looks "straight-up washed" after averaging just 1.14 yards per route and 15% team target share last season, indicating he wasn't even able to draw targets despite potential quarterback play excuses.

T.J. Hockenson looks straight-up washed; he averaged 1.14 yards per route and 15% team target share last season, indicating he wasn't even able to draw targets despite poor quarterback play, forcing early-season drops in redraft leagues.

Kelce is extremely difficult to rank and may be too low in current rankings. With Patrick Mahomes healthy, Kelce was tight end seven in PPG last season at 1.85 yards per route run—higher than his 2024 rate. While age discount is warranted (he'll be 37), historical data shows only Antonio Gates and Mercedes Lewis produced anything at age 36 in the past 20 years, and neither finished with 5+ PPG at age 37. However, the case can be made that age doesn't matter given his GOAT-tier status, and he should be prioritized over Ferguson, Gaston, and Kittle if Mahomes stays healthy.

McBride is ranked TE2 with back-to-back seasons averaging over 9 targets per game. He posted a massive leap from 2024 to 2025, jumping from 15.5 PPG to 18.5 PPG, primarily driven by finally scoring touchdowns once Jacoby Brissett took over as Cardinals QB. However, Geno Smith notes his 2026 situation has gotten 'sneaky worse' with Marvin Harrison and Michael Wilson representing serious target competition, and passing volume is expected to decline as the Cardinals rebuild their running back room (they abandoned the run in 2025 due to RB injuries, forcing 50+ pass attempts weekly). The speaker sees downside risk from reduced volume and potential QB efficiency regression from Brissett.

Kraft was TE4 in PPG (14.5 PPG) before tearing his ACL in week 9, posting 33 fantasy points the week prior. With Romeo Dobbs and Donteavian Wicks departed, target competition decreased. However, ACL recovery timeline of nine months brings him right to season start, creating uncertainty for week 1 availability. Geno Smith likes Kraft's ceiling for tournament play (weeks 15–17) but cautions against relying on him for week 1 in regular leagues due to recovery timeline risk.

Warren fell from TE6 in PPG (first 13 weeks with Daniel Jones) to TE24 in PPG (final four weeks without Jones), showing massive Jones-dependency but also upside when healthy. With Michael Pittman Jr. departed and minimal target competition (only Josh Downs and Alec Pierce remain), Warren has ceiling upside and a potential TE10 floor as a rookie. Geno Smith argues the floor is higher than ceiling comparisons suggest, and the offense should improve with Pittman's departure opening targets.