Top 35 TEs for Fantasy Football in 2026

Tier 1: The Mega Powers Tier

If you want an elite TE, draft one of these guys, brother!

1. Brock Bowers, TE, LV

Despite playing in just 12 games, Brock Bowers finished as TE11 in total points and tied Tucker Kraft and George Kittle for TE2 behind Trey McBride in points per game. With Fernando Mendoza (or Kirko Chainz) at quarterback and Las Vegas not adding any significant pass catchers, Bowers is right in the TE1 conversation. With Head Coach Klint Kubiak calling plays, Bowers gets the slight bump past Trey McBride (who lost OC Drew Petzing to Detroit).

2. Trey McBride, TE, ARI

Trey McBride blew away the competition to finish as TE1 and averaged 18.6 points per game, 11th among non-quarterbacks. His targets increased by two per game with Jacoby Brissett, and the bigger difference was in the end zone: McBride had two end-zone targets in Kyler Murray’s five starts and 16 from Week 6 on with Brissett. With Brissett back in Arizona, McBride may actually be worth the risk, even if I don’t think I’ll draft him where he’ll be going. It’s highly unlikely, but if Brissett’s holdout drips into the regular season, McBride could slip a few spots.

3. Sam LaPorta, TE, DET

Sam LaPorta finished the season as TE7 in points per game before a herniated disc ended his season in Week 10. New offensive coordinator Drew Petzing comes to Detroit from Arizona, where his offense produced one of the greatest fantasy tight end seasons of all time with Trey McBride. We back up with LaPorta, bab-bay!

4. Tyler Warren, TE, IND

Will the real Tyler Warren please stand up? The stud rookie averaged 13.6 points per game over the first 10 weeks before dropping to 7.5 from Week 11 on. His struggles began before Daniel Jones’ season-ending injury, but Jones is back in Indy, and Michael Pittman isn’t. Arrow up for Tyler Warren.

5. Colston Loveland, TE, CHI

Although Colston Loveland didn’t have his first double-digit game until Week 9, he finished as a TE1 thanks to seven double-digit games over the final 10. Cole Kmet was much more involved early, but Loveland had the typical rookie second-half surge. With DJ Moore shipped out of town, more targets are available, and Loveland should easily finish as a TE1 in 2026, though I still fear he gets overdrafted.

Tier 3: The “Skip Intro” Tier

You know the plot, just start them.

6. Tucker Kraft, TE, GB

Tucker Kraft was enjoying a career year before being blindsided by a torn ACL, totaling nearly 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just eight games. Kraft tied Brock Bowers and George Kittle for TE2 on a points-per-game basis. Still just 25 years old, even if he starts training camp on the PUP List, he’s fully expected to be ready to roll Week 1. With fewer mouths to feed thanks to the exits of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks, Kraft should pick up right where he left off.

Tier 4: The Toy Story Tier

If they jump a tier, the buzz will last lightyears.

7. Isaiah Likely, TE, NYG

Isaiah Likely followed John Harbaugh to New York this offseason, and has a golden opportunity to live up to the hype of years past. His athleticism and explosiveness give him mouthwatering upside, and I LOVE his potential as a top target for Jaxson Dart. In 11 starts, Dart targeted the tight end position on 44% of red zone targets and 35% of end-zone targets, with tight ends accounting for seven of Dart’s 11 touchdown passes. With Malik Nabers’ timetable uncertain and Wan’Dale Robinson gone, Likely is set up for success. We FINALLY got the Kyle Pitts breakout. Can we get Isaiah Likely next?

8. Kyle Pitts Sr., TE, ATL

Good things happen when you get Kyle Pitts the ball, and it finally seems like the Falcons have figured that out. It’s a little too late for Raheem Morris, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski wasn’t afraid to feature the tight end in Cleveland, a promising sign for Pitts’ future. Pitts finished in the top five in yards per route run and yards after contact per reception, setting career highs across the board and earning his first top-five fantasy finish. #KylePittsSZN was finally real, and it was spectacular.

Tier 5: The GigaPet Tier

Vintage studs and hungry pups who need just a little hourly care.

9. Mark Andrews, TE, BAL

Isaiah Likely’s departure could help offset the decline in Mark Andrews’ skills with an increase in targets. The hefty jump for MANdrews from my “way too early” ranks reflects worsening situations for the tight ends around him, including Kenyon Sadiq landing with the Jets, Oronde Gadsden playing under Mike McDaniel, and Harold Fannin Jr. gaining competition from two rookie receivers. I also love the hire of Declan Doyle as Ravens offensive coordinator; he considers tight ends a vital part of the offense.

10. Harold Fannin Jr., TE, CLE

Harold Fannin Jr. was the only reliable pass catcher for the Browns for about 99% of the season, which propelled the uber-talented rookie to TE8 in points per game. He caught 72 passes and six touchdowns and ran in another score. I’m still quite in on Fannin, but the additions of KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston knock him down a few pegs.

11. Travis Kelce, TE, KC

“Say you’ll remember Kelce
facing a defense in press,
ready, hut, set, baby
Red jersey and Jordan cleats
Say you’ll draft Kelce again
even if it’s not on your fantasy teams, ah-ah, ha”

If you can draft Kelce after the first eight or so tight ends, do it.

12. Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF

Dalton Kincaid led the Bills and all tight ends in yards per route run, led Buffalo in yards per reception, and ranked fourth in that category among tight ends. Although he struggled to stay healthy, Kincaid is a borderline TE1 when he is on the field. The addition of DJ Moore caps his upside, but he should remain in the back-end TE1 range.

13. George Kittle, TE, SF

George Kittle is just one of those guys. Even if you hate the 49ers, it’s impossible to hate him. That’s why it was so tough to see him carted off the field in the first round of the playoffs against the Eagles, ending this season and probably affecting next year as well. The recovery timeline is about 9 to 12 months, but Kittle is about to turn 33. I can speak from experience as I approach my 40th birthday that getting older doesn’t help speed up the recovery process. But I am far from an NFL athlete like Kittle. Word is that he’ll be extremely close to ready come Week 1, but the 49ers’ season opener is in Australia. Yes, Australia. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the team take the overly cautious approach, but at this point it’s all a guessing game. Even if Kittle isn’t back Week 1, it sounds like he’s on track to hit the field early in the season. If he can be had at a discount—say, outside the top 10 TEs—he’s worth the risk.

Tier 6: The “Area 51” Tier

There’s definitely something there, but will it stay hidden from the public?

14. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, NYJ

Kenyon Sadiq is a superior athlete who broke Vernon Davis’ nearly 20-year-old combine speed record for tight ends with a 4.37-second 40. Although he wasn’t used much as a downfield pass catcher at Oregon and remains a raw blocker, he has the athleticism to become a vertical threat. He remains the top fantasy tight end in this class, but the Jets’ quarterback situation and competition for targets make his redraft stock less appealing.

15. Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL

Jake Ferguson had a nice little stretch as the TE1 overall from Weeks 2 to 5, but that ended quickly as soon as CeeDee Lamb returned. He finished as the TE11 in points per game and a solid TE1, just not a dark-horse TE1 overall.

16. Chig Okonkwo, TE, WAS

Chig Okonkwo is one of my favorite sleeper tight ends for 2026. He signed with Washington after putting up career highs last season with 56 catches and 560 receiving yards. The Commanders needed a new top tight end this offseason, and Okonkwo could be in line for a significant role, especially since it seems unlikely that Brandon Aiyuk will join the team.

17. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, LAC

Oronde Gadsden scored at least 12 fantasy points in four straight games in the middle of his rookie season, including 29.4 against the Colts and 18.7 against the Vikings. I’ve done a complete 180 on him this offseason: Mike McDaniel values blocking from his tight ends, and the Chargers added stronger blockers Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Gadsden should still be involved, but his floor and ceiling are much shakier.

18. Juwan Johnson, TE, NO

Juwan Johnson tied Tyler Warren for TE10 with 11.1 fantasy points per game and set career highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. Taysom Hill’s departure leaves room for involvement, but the additions of Jordyn Tyson, Noah Fant, and Oscar Delp preserve Johnson’s upside while removing his target floor.

19. Brenton Strange, TE, JAC

Strange things are happening in Jacksonville, and that’s a good thing. Brenton Strange scored double-digit fantasy points in 50% of his games and is a solid backup option if you fade tight end early in drafts.

20. T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN

Not quite sure what happened to T.J. Hockenson, but with three top-five fantasy finishes in his first five seasons, he’s worth drafting late and seeing if he can get his mojo back. Potential starting QB Kyler Murray has frustrated us before with his lack of targets to the tight end position, but the upgrade in skill level from “Nine” who shall not be named is enough to give hope.

Tier 7: The “Is This a Pigeon?” Tier

You aren’t sure if they’re a superstar or role player, but you’re starting them.

21. Darnell Washington, TE, PIT

Darnell Washington (aka Mount Washington, best nickname in the NFL) didn’t have a lot of production in 2025, but Pittsburgh released Jonnu Smith, leaving Pat Freiermuth as the only obstacle to him doing more of this:

22. Dalton Schultz, TE, HOU

You know that Japanese takeout place your wife always suggests when you’re trying to figure out where to eat, and every time you complain, “Ugggghhhh. I don’t want that.” But when you inevitably agree and get the food, you realize it’s actually pretty good and have to apologize to your wife for doing it again? That’s Dalton Schultz. Since the 2020 season, he’s finished outside the top 18 just once and has finished as a TE1 four of the six seasons. I’m counting this year because he tied with Hunter Henry and Dalton Kincaid for TE13 in points per game, just .01 behind Juwan Johnson. Close enough for me. Schultz isn’t a guy you’re excited to draft, but if you fade the position, he’ll be a decent option more often than not.

23. Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI

Dallas Goedert bounced back bigly in 2025. He finished as TE6 in points per game, but was heavily reliant on a career-high 11 touchdown catches. Goedert has the potential to finish as a borderline TE1, but his days of pushing for the top five are over.

Tier 8: The “Oops!… I Did It Again” Tier

You lose all your senses and can’t stop drafting these guys.

24. Gunnar Helm, TE, TEN

Gunnar Helm set a Titans franchise record for a rookie tight end with 44 receptions, adding 357 yards and two touchdowns. Chig Okonkwo’s move to Washington leaves Helm with a clearer path to production, but the former Giants who followed new OC Brian Daboll to town—Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger—muddy it up a bit.

25. Eli Stowers, TE, PHI

Eli Stowers is to Kenyon Sadiq as Colston Loveland was to Tyler Warren in last year’s draft. Stowers is not too shabby of an athlete himself, running a 4.51 40-yard dash and breaking the all-time NFL Combine record for tight ends with a 45.5″ vertical jump. He, too, is a bit undersized and struggles against man coverage, but his athleticism and hands give the Mackey Award winner beaucoup upside. Another pick that doesn’t get me overly excited for fantasy, but it makes sense based on team makeup. He still possesses immense potential, but there are a lot of mouths to feed on a team that doesn’t pass enough to keep them all happy.

26. AJ Barner, TE, SEA

AJ Barner started all 17 games in 2025, averaging 10 yards per reception on 52 catches, and came down with six touchdowns. He’s not a bad late-round dart throw.

27. Terrance Ferguson, TE, LAR

The Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie did OK. He started slow but had 10 catches for 210 yards and three touchdowns over the final 10 games. The Rams have Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Ron Burgundy, Brian Fantana, Champ Kind, Brick Tamland, and 2026 second-round pick Max Klare on the roster. Even if the Rams continue using two- and three-tight-end sets at the league’s highest rate, as they did in the second half of last season, it’s a bit crowded to realistically expect a Fergie breakout.

28. Hunter Henry, TE, NE

Hunter Henry caught 60 passes for 768 yards and seven touchdowns while serving as one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets. The additions of Romeo Doubs and AJ Brown make Hunter “Meh”-nry even more “Meh”-nry, if that’s possible.

29. David Njoku, TE, LAC

David Njoku signed with the Chargers after nine seasons in Cleveland, joining a tight end room that also includes Oronde Gadsden II and Charlie Kolar. He’ll likely have a few spike games, but don’t expect a consistent target share.

30. Cade Otton, TE, TB

Cade Otton re-signed with Tampa Bay and is a fine “I have nobody else, guess I start this guy” option at TE.

31. Theo Johnson, TE, NYG

Theo Johnson and free-agent addition Isaiah Likely enter camp as the Giants’ top two tight ends. Their presence gives New York multiple talented receiving options at the position for Jaxson Dart, but toss a wet blanket on Johnson’s upside.

32. Mason Taylor, TE, NYJ

The Mason Taylor dream died the second the Jets drafted Kenyon Sadiq.

33. Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT

Will the ‘Muth ever get ‘Luth? Pat Freiermuth remains alongside Darnell Washington in the Steelers’ tight end room but is the tight end equivalent of a peanut butter sandwich. It’ll get the job done, but you’re not really excited to eat it.

34. Mike Gesicki, TE, CIN

Mike Gesicki is never going to happen. But please, just give me a few more horrendous griddys on touchdown scores this year, and I’ll be happy.

35. Evan Engram, TE, DEN

Maybe the real joker is the friends we made along the way?