In the evolving world of fantasy football, the tight end position remains a minefield of upside and uncertainty, especially as leagues increasingly favor versatile pass‑catchers.
Among the names that analysts are warning against drafting in 2026, three stand out for distinct red flags: Dalton Kincaid of the Buffalo Bills, Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens, and Kenyon Sadiq of the New York Jets.
The Tight End Landscape
Kincaid entered the 2025 season with a career‑high five receiving touchdowns, yet his production was undercut by a limited target share and a five‑game absence that marked a personal high for missed contests.
The Bills' acquisition of veteran receiver DJ Moore reshaped the offensive hierarchy, siphoning targets away from Kincaid and further compressing his already modest 4.1 average targets per game.
Mark Andrews' Sliding Production
Andrews posted a career‑low 7.7 PPR average in 2025, a dip that aligns with a three‑year downward trend in both yardage per target and touchdown conversion rate.
The Ravens responded by drafting two size‑dominant wide receivers, a move that threatens to carve into Andrews' red‑zone opportunities and could exacerbate his efficiency decline.
Kenyon Sadiq's Competition
Sadiq faces a crowded target pool that includes established weapons such as Garrett Wilson, Adonai Mitchell and Omar Cooper Jr., while also navigating an uncertain quarterback situation involving Geno Smith, Cade Klubnik or Brady Cook.
The confluence of injury history, shrinking target share, and roster moves suggests that these three tight ends carry a higher probability of underperforming relative to their draft positions.
For managers seeking value, the lesson is clear: scrutinize not only past production but also the structural shifts within each team's offense before committing a mid‑round pick to a tight end.