The Ultimate TE Rankings for 2026 Fantasy Football

Amon-Ra St. Brown is acknowledged as the primary target in the Lions' offense, though the source notes that Sam LaPorta should not be overlooked despite St. Brown's high volume.

Austin Hooper is used as a historical reference for how Drew Petzing's offensive scheme can elevate a tight end to a top-two target on the team, even when not traditionally viewed as a primary receiver.

The source has lowered Bijan Robinson to fourth overall in their rankings to justify a more aggressive stance on Kyle Pitts.

Breece Hall is cited as a preferred draft selection over Trey McBride in the middle of the fourth round in the source's Yahoo Expert League.

The source ranks Brock Bowers as their TE1, citing his All-Pro level talent and record-setting 65 receiving yards per game through his first two seasons despite playing on one leg last year. He is projected to benefit from Clint Kubiak's explosive offensive scheme and a potentially mediocre Raiders defense that will likely force high-volume passing in the fourth quarter. Bowers is considered a tier-maker positioned after top running backs and before high-end wide receivers like AJ Brown, Nico Collins, and George Pickens. He is ranked ahead of Trey McBride due to McBride's higher target competition, and he benefits from Trey Tucker's role as a non-high-volume WR1.

George Kittle has received a team-high 33% of endzone targets when sharing the field with Brock Purdy, reinforcing the value of the 49ers' passing attack for Kittle's fantasy production.

Christian Watson serves as a deep-threat receiver for the Packers, whose role in pushing defenses downfield creates space for tight ends like Tucker Kraft to operate in the flats.

The source identifies Colson Loveland as a high-upside breakout candidate who could lead the Bears in receiving categories following the departure of DJ Moore. Loveland demonstrated elite efficiency in 13 personnel last year with 4.66 yards per route run and a 53% receiving yard market share; he is viewed as a mismatch weapon who could eventually become the league's top-scoring tight end. Colson Loveland is mentioned as a preferred tight end option alongside Sam LaPorta, serving as a fallback or target if those players are available.

Ranked as the TE13, Dallas Goedert is projected to regress due to his heavy reliance on the 'tush push' for goal-line production, which the team is expected to adjust away from. The source also notes signs of decline at age 31, projecting a finish in the TE9-TE11 range rather than repeating his previous TE5 performance.

Dalton Kincaid is ranked as the TE10. While he led all tight ends in yards per route run, he failed to exceed 55% of snaps in any game last season. His current ADP reflects his historical usage, but there is potential upside if his snap share increases due to scheme changes or improved health. He is considered a superior talent to Isaiah Likely.

Daniel Jones's health is highlighted as a performance indicator for Tyler Warren, who averaged 54 yards per game and operated as the TE6 during the 13 games Jones was healthy last season.

David Montgomery's presence in the Lions' backfield last season is cited as a factor that previously limited the target distribution for pass catchers like Sam LaPorta.

David Njoku is a historical example of a tight end who benefited from the offensive scheme of the Kevin Stefanski and Drew Petzing coaching tree. He split time with Harrison Bryant last year, finishing as the TE10, and is expected to maintain similar usage levels despite new target competition.

Dawson Knox remains a factor in the Bills' tight end rotation, which has historically limited Dalton Kincaid's snap share.

Dontayvion Wicks is identified as a Packers receiver who helps push the ball downfield, which assists in opening up underneath routes for tight ends.

The source notes a negative correlation between Drake London and Kyle Pitts, observing that Pitts' fantasy production was significantly higher in games where London was absent or limited.

Garrett Wilson is a preferred draft selection over both Trey McBride and Tyler Warren. The source indicates that while Warren is a target, he does not rank above Wilson in their personal draft hierarchy.

The source ranks George Kittle as the TE7, higher than the consensus TE9, and prefers him over the Browns' tight end situation due to his role in a perennial top-10 offense; Kittle was the TE3 in receiving yards per game when on the field last season and commands a team-high 33% of endzone targets when sharing the field with Brock Purdy. He also has a favorable early-season schedule against the Bills, Jets, Panthers, and Cardinals.

Gerald Everett is compared to Kyle Pitts as a tight end option, though the source questions if Everett has the same top-three tight end upside given his team situation.

Isaiah Likely is ranked as the TE11. The source highlights his potential to be a primary target on his team, but notes he has a firm ceiling and is viewed as a less talented version of Dalton Kincaid in a less efficient offense, though he could still finish as a fringe TE1.

Ranked as the TE16, Jake Ferguson has shown top-seven tight end production during specific stretches, but his fantasy relevance is highly dependent on the absence of primary targets like CeeDee Lamb, as his target share is significantly capped when those players are active.

Jameson Williams is expected to see increased target volume alongside Sam LaPorta, as the Lions' defense and backfield changes suggest a more pass-heavy environment for the team.

Jared Goff is projected to potentially lead the NFL in passing yards, serving as a key driver for the Lions' offensive success and the fantasy value of his pass catchers like Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams.

The source ranks Juwan Johnson as the TE12, citing his high snap share (72-90%) and consistent route participation as primary value drivers. He is considered a viable starter for the first half of the season, supported by his performance splits following the Rashid Shaheed trade, where he operated as a top-10 tight end in both receptions and yards per game.

Kyle Pitts is a high-upside target with generational potential at a low price point. He is 25, fully healthy, and showed improved route running in the preseason. He led Falcons tight ends in snap counts last year and has a range of outcomes that includes a top-three finish, especially if Drake London or Bijan Robinson miss time, which would trigger a massive usage spike.

The source ranks Mark Andrews as the TE15, expressing skepticism regarding his current form due to health concerns and training camp reports. Despite these risks, he remains a viable rebound candidate as the primary secondary target in the Lamar Jackson-led offense.

Michael Pittman Jr. was the primary target competitor for Tyler Warren last season, and his departure is cited as a key factor for Warren's increased target share potential in the Colts' offense.

Mike Evans is dealing with various health concerns including quad and groin issues, and faces target competition, making it unlikely he sees an increase in target volume this season.

The source explicitly prefers drafting Parker Washington over Tyler Warren, placing him in a tier of players they would select ahead of the tight end.

The source suggests a potential usage conflict between Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce, noting that Kelce's target share historically drops from 23% to 19% when Rice is active on the field.

The source categorizes Rome Odunze as a player to draft ahead of Tyler Warren in current draft scenarios.

Sam LaPorta is a high-priority target and TE5, expected to benefit from a high-scoring Lions offense, a weak secondary, and positive touchdown regression. The source is drafting him heavily, citing his health and his role as a primary or secondary read in a scheme that prioritizes tight ends, including his versatility in 12 personnel. He is considered a benchmark for elite tight end production.

Travis Kelce is considered a strong value at his current TE12 ADP, with the source noting he was a top-four TE in points per game when Patrick Mahomes was healthy last year and could lead the Chiefs in receiving. While his touchdown projection is lower this year (6 vs 12), he remains a viable target in the 16th overall range in full PPR redraft leagues, with his 2020 season (17.4 PPG) serving as the historical benchmark for elite tight end production.

Trey Tucker has seemingly secured the wide receiver one role for the Raiders, though he is not expected to be a high-volume target earner. This role helps clear the path for Brock Bowers to serve as the primary pass-catching option in the offense.

The source expects regression for Trey McBride following his 2023 breakout season, citing increased target competition from a healthy Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson, a likely decrease in neutral pass rate, and a more balanced backfield. Consequently, the source is avoiding him at his current third-round ADP, though he remains a late round three or early round four value depending on league format. He is ranked behind Brock Bowers and is considered a less preferred option than Garrett Wilson or Breece Hall in middle-round draft scenarios.

Tucker Kraft is a high-upside tight end who averaged a league-high 15.5 yards per catch and led the position in yards after the catch last year. However, he is recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to be on a snap count for the first month or two of the season. His high YAC efficiency is expected to regress, though his athleticism and the Packers' downfield passing scheme remain positive factors.

Tyler Warren is a frequent draft target projected to lead the Colts in receiving. Following Michael Pittman Jr.'s departure, Warren is expected to capitalize on his rookie-year target volume; he recorded the 11th most red zone targets among WRs/TEs as a rookie. Shane Steichen's scheme frequently manufactures touches for him via screens and play-action on early downs.