TE Rankings
Tier 1: The Cerberus Tier
The three-headed beast of elite tight ends
1. George Kittle (TE, SF) – Considering the considerable losses for the 49ers’ defense, the departure of Deebo Samuel, and the health of Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, Kittle is positioned for an abundance of targets from Brock Purdy. He’s being drafted at his floor in the fourth round and offers that positional advantage without having to pass on elite fantasy options at other positions.
2. Trey McBride (TE, ARI) – How did Trey McBride follow up his breakout 2023 campaign? By blowing past his TE7 finish to end up the TE2 behind Brock Bowers. His 111 receptions were the fourth-most of any player in the league and just one behind Bowers. Had it not been for some terrible touchdown luck, McBride could have easily finished as the top TE in 2024. Similar to the top quarterback options, McBride, Bowers, and George Kittle are virtually interchangeable from a fantasy points perspective. But with an ADP of 26 overall, I’ll probably forgo drafting McBride this season. I can’t pass up the likes of Ladd McConkey, Chase Brown, and Bucky Irving to draft a tight end.
3. Brock Bowers (TE, LV) – Rarely do we see an uberly hyped tight end prospect meet, let alone exceed, the expectations placed on him. Brock Bowers did that rather bigly. The Raiders fed him early and often, with Bowers racking up 111 receptions, 1,194 receiving yards, and five touchdowns on 153 targets. There is some concern that Bowers will have a hard time matching his rookie production, considering all the offseason changes in Las Vegas. New (but old) head coach Pete Carroll has not traditionally targeted tight ends heavily in his offense, and with the addition of Ashton Jeanty, he could shift more towards the run game compared to last season. Bowers is truly an elite talent and should easily remain one of the top fantasy tight ends for the foreseeable future. But like McBride, I won’t be drafting him this season. An ADP around 18 overall is far too rich for my blood.
Tier 2: The High Council Tier
They aren’t all-powerful, but they’re respected.
4. Evan Engram (TE, DEN) – I’m eager to see what Evan Engram can do in Denver as Sean Payton’s “Swiss Army Knife”. He’s a dark horse to finish as TE1 overall.
5. T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN) – Nearly two years after tearing his ACL and MCL in Week 16 of the 2023 season, T.J. Hockenson is right around the ADP I’m generally starting to consider drafting a tight end. Not considering last year’s mid-season return and working his way back to form, Hockenson was a top-five fantasy tight end in three of the previous four seasons. Jordan Addison is set to miss the first three games of the season, giving Hockenson an early-season advantage in potential targets and chemistry building with new quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Hockenson is a phenomenal option at tight end due to his reasonable cost and relatively high floor and ceiling. He’ll remind people how talented he is.
6. Sam LaPorta (TE, DET) – I kinda think Sam LaPorta is being slept on. LaPorta was solid last season. His yards per route run were very comparable year-over-year (1.95 to 1.8), his yards per target and yards per reception went up, and he had two additional red zone targets. The problem was that his acquisition cost was way too high. He was TE2 off the board and the 33rd player overall, around or before guys like Malik Nabers, James Conner, Mike Evans, and James Cook. The emergence of Jameson Williams also led to 2 fewer targets per game and a total of 37 fewer on the season (he played in one less game, too). Sometimes, it’s just not enough volume. I don’t have an issue with LaPorta being the fourth tight end drafted. I do have an issue with where you have to draft him. A current overall ADP of 50 would require you to take him over the likes of TreVeyon Henderson, RJ Harvey, Tetairoa McMillian, and even teammate Jameson Williams. Not a chance I’d take him over a single one of the guys in that range.
7. Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) – Mark Andrews struggled most of last season, but finished strong. Over the second half of 2024, Andrews had 25 catches on 33 targets for 316 yards and SIX touchdowns. His tuddy total was the second most in the league over that span, and his 9.6 yards per target and 12.6 yards per reception were both top 10 at the position. I’m still a big fan of Isaiah Likely, but he recently had surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot. He’s not sure to be ready by the start of the season, although it’s not considered a long-term issue. All things considered, I’m beginning to like Mark Andrews more and more at his ADP.
Tier 3: The Pokémon Tier
Gotta draft ’em all!
8. Tucker Kraft (TE, GB) – Tucker Kraft could be the most disrespected tight end in fantasy. Kraft quietly caught seven touchdowns last season, and it wouldn’t be a shock for him to repeat (or improve) on that number. He’s a low-risk, moderately high-reward selection with an ADP outside the top 100 players.
9. Kyle Pitts Sr. (TE, ATL) – A few fun facts about Kyle Pitts Sr.:
-He’s never had a yards per reception under 12.
-He’s finished outside of the Top 15 tight ends just once, in his sophomore season, when he played just 10 games.
-Last season, he ranked 13th at the position in receiving yardage (602) and touchdowns (4).
-He was tied for the 5th most targets over 20+ yards among tight ends.
There have also been trade rumors swirling around Pitts this offseason, but on the bright side, a trade to the right situation could increase his value. All in all, there is a wide range of outcomes for Kyle Pitts this season, but in that range is a top-five finish. With the state of the tight end position, he won’t have to do much to finish as a TE1. Being drafted among backup running backs and 3rd string wide receivers, Pitts is easily worth the dart throw at his next-to-nothing cost.
10. Tyler Warren (TE, IND) – Despite the stench of the putrid quarterback play he’ll likely deal with in his rookie season, Tyler Warren is a favorite tight end target for me this season. Warren should slot right into an every-down role on a team that has a plethora of above-average pass catchers, but lacks an alpha. With an ADP around 100 overall, there’s not much risk but plenty of reward in taking Warren as your starting tight end for fantasy.
11. Brenton Strange (TE, JAC) – Brenton Strange put up solid numbers when given the opportunity last season. In the games he played at least 60% of snaps, Strange averaged five targets, 3.4 receptions, 7.8 yards per reception, and caught two touchdowns. In the games without Engram, Strange leveled up, adding five fantasy points per game. Engram is gone. Christian Kirk is gone. You’re getting a guy with a clear path to the top 12 for the price of a late-round bench warmer. He doesn’t have to be a world-beater to smash that value.
12. David Njoku (TE, CLE) – Can you believe this will be David Njoku‘s ninth season in the league? After just one in his first five seasons, Njoku has had three straight seasons with a TE1 finish. His upside is capped with the monstristy that is the Cleveland quarterback room, but he’s a set it and forget it starter for fantasy.
13. Travis Kelce (TE, KC) – One of the most dominant tight ends in fantasy football history was still productive in 2024, but he wasn’t really the same Travis Kelce. He had under 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season after surpassing the total in the seven seasons prior. He’ll remain one of Mahomes’ most trusted targets, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Kansas City. He’ll stay firmly in the TE1 conversation and flirt with top 5 status. But at age 35, his days of complete dominance are a thing of the past. Remembering him comes in flashbacks and echoes. Tell myself it’s time now, gotta let go.
14. Colston Loveland (TE, CHI) – Colston Loveland wasn’t supposed to be the first tight end drafted, but the Bears shocked us all in taking him 10th overall before presumed top option Tyler Warren. He has the talent to become a perennial top-five tight end in fantasy football, but I have a few concerns with him getting there in his first year. Chicago has a collection of promising pass catchers, and while I’m extremely high on Caleb Williams this season, he can’t feed them all a ton of targets.
15. Dallas Goedert (TE, PHI) – Dallas Goedert had the worst fantasy finish of his career in 2024, but there aren’t any noteworthy or surprising statistics that point to a production cliff. Goedert played in only 10 games, the fewest of his career. However, compared to the prior five seasons, Goedert’s stats either exceeded or remained virtually unchanged in 2024. His targets per game went down a whopping — checks notes — half a target. His yards per route run last season ranked 17th. Not at the tight end position, among all players. Among tight ends? Goedert’s YPRR ranked 2nd to George Kittle (2.5 to 2.4). It’s pretty straightforward if you examine the numbers and apply common sense. Goedert is virtually being drafted at his floor.
16. Jake Ferguson (TE, DAL) – Jake Ferguson is the fantasy football equivalent of a slice of bread and a glass of water. He has his role. He’ll get the job done. But you’re not excited about starting him.
17. Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) – One of my flag plants this season, a fractured foot and subsequent surgery have put the kabosh on Isaiah Likely‘s early-season potential. He’s not expected to miss a ton of time, but he’ll have to work back to game speed before producing on the field. If you have the room, he’s worth a draft-and-stash, but don’t let him float on waivers too long. Likely hasn’t lost his ceiling.
18. Mason Taylor (TE, NYJ) – The competition for targets behind Garrett Wilson is a washed Allen Lazard and a couple of J.A.G.s. Mason Taylor‘s path to targets is a wide-open, freshly paved four-lane highway. Warren is the only tight end at LSU to ever hit 100 catches and 1,000 yards. The pass-catching chops are not a question. His only concern is his blocking; if that doesn’t keep him off the field, Taylor has the skill and opportunity to be this year’s breakout.
19. Dalton Kincaid (TE, BUF) – Still holds some upside strictly due to his age and athletic profile, but Dalton Kincaid is part of the tight end glob of mediocrity.
Tier 4: The Blob
Slimy, yet satisfying.
20. Dalton Schultz (TE, HOU) – See: Ferguson, Jake.
21. Hunter Henry (TE, NE) – Another esteemed member of the tight end glob of mediocrity.
22. Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT) – If you wait on tight end like I tend to do, pair Pat Freiermuth with an upside play along the lines of Kyle Pitts (I still believe), Isaiah Likely, or Mason Taylor. If they fall flat, you’ll have a firm foundation to fall back on.
23. Mike Gesicki (TE, CIN) – Gesicki’s borderline starter status took a tumble with the Bengals’ addition of Noah Fant. He’ll have some solid games, catch a few touchdowns, and dazzle us with some horrendous dance moves, but he should live on the waiver wire in most leagues.
24. Cade Otton (TE, TB) – Had a solid six-game stretch for the Bucs, but Cade Otton is yet another esteemed member of the tight end glob of mediocrity.
25. Darren Waller (TE, MIA) – From retirement straight to the PUP list. Waller could catch a few touchdowns, but he’s not fantasy relevant.
26. Terrance Ferguson (TE, LAR) – Not someone I’m drafting, but I do like the potential for Terrance Ferguson to become one of those “lightning in a bottle” tight ends if he can carve out a role in the offense. A name to remember.
27. Elijah Arroyo (TE, SEA) – A tad more intriguing with the Seahawks’ release of Noah Fant, but he has to beat out AJ Barner first.
28. Theo Johnson (TE, NYG) – A sneaky tight end sleeper if he can earn a somewhat meaningful target share.
29. Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, CLE) – Currently behind David Njoku on the pecking order, but Harold Fannin Jr. has the talent to emerge as his heir apparent. A solid Dynasty stash, but not an add in redraft leagues unless Njoku gets hurt.
30. Chig Okonkwo (TE, TEN) – The once uber hyped fantasy darling finished the 2024 season strong. There’s a chance he could still become a thing, but keep an eye on rookie Gunnar Helm.
31. Cole Kmet (TE, CHI) – As a former member of the Cole Kmet Club, it hurts to say that the dream is dead. He’ll have some solid games, but it wouldn’t be a shock to see him traded.
32. Jonnu Smith (TE, PIT) – The fact that Jonnu Smith is being drafted as the TE11 before upside plays like Colston Loveland, Tucker Kraft, and even former teammate Kyle Pitts is absurd. Yes, Jonnu set previous career highs with Arthur Smith in Atlanta the season prior, but nowhere near his breakout 2024 numbers. 50 catches, 582 yards, three touchdowns, and a TE17 finish. How did he finish while they were together in Tennessee from 2017 to 2020? TE 49, TE 35, and TE20.
33. Noah Fant (TE, CIN) – Limited ceiling considering his target competition. But worth watching, considering the tight end position.
34. Taysom Hill (TE, NO) – A true enigma of the fantasy football world, the TE/QB/RB/WR’s timetable to return is unclear after a season-ending knee injury last season. If/when he returns this season, he’s the definition of a lottery ticket. It remains to be seen how he’ll be used in a Kellen Moore offense.
35. Luke Musgrave (TE, GB) – Another esteemed member of the tight end glob of mediocrity. This time with less upside!
36. Michael Mayer (TE, LV) – The rare tight end handcuff. Would hold value if Brock Bowers missed time.
37. AJ Barner (TE, SEA) – Lower upside than Arroyo, but holds the inside lane on the Seahawks’ starting TE spot.
38. Tyler Higbee (TE, LAR) – #NeverHigbee.