Ranking Overview
The preseason fantasy football rankings for tight ends have been released, offering a snapshot of expected production for the 2026 season. Analysts evaluated past performance, team offensive schemes, and roster changes to project target share and upside for each player.
Brock Bowers sits at the top of the list, entering his third year with the Las Vegas Raiders, whose offense is expected to improve after recent upgrades. His trajectory suggests he could rival historic tight end totals.
Trey McBride follows in second place, having posted a league‑high 27.3% target rate and a franchise‑record 126 receptions with 11 touchdowns in 2025 for the Arizona Cardinals. His consistent volume makes him a cornerstone in most drafts.
Tyler Warren ranks third, benefiting from Shane Steichen’s RPO‑heavy scheme that has already yielded 76 catches for 817 yards and four scores. His role in a balanced attack positions him as a reliable mid‑tier option.
Colston Loveland gains additional targets after the Chicago Bears traded away DJ Moore, while Tucker Kraft, whose 2024 breakout put him on pace for over 1,000 yards before a season‑ending ACL injury, remains a promising prospect.
Veteran George Kittle, despite missing five games, remains sixth thanks to a stellar PFF grade of 90.8 and a projected return for Week 1, while Isaiah Likely joins the New York Giants with a safer floor than injured peers.
Sam LaPorta, despite a back injury that ended his 2025 campaign, retains high upside as he enters his fourth season, and Travis Kelce continues to provide a stable floor with 15‑game durability across twelve straight seasons.
Kyle Pitts delivered career‑high numbers in 2025, posting 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns while facing Tua Tagovailoa, and Harold Fannin Jr. has established himself as the No. 6 PPR scorer in 2025 within Todd Monken’s system.
Dalton Kincaid emerges as a post‑hype sleeper in Josh Allen’s offense, with his target participation poised to rise, and Juwan Johnson offers a solid weekly option in New Orleans amid limited competition.
Dallas Goedert, now the primary beneficiary of Jalen Hurts’ trust after A.J. Brown’s departure, posted a career‑high 11 touchdowns in 2025, while Jake Ferguson serves as the third option in Dallas, providing a dependable floor with Dak Prescott healthy.
Mark Andrews looks to rebound with reduced competition after Isaiah Likely’s departure from Baltimore, and T.J. Hockenson enters a contract year in Minnesota with Kyler Murray, potentially boosting his fantasy stock.
Chig Okonkwo, a free‑agent addition in Tennessee, is expected to capitalize on Zach Ertz’s exit and new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, while veteran Hunter Henry finds a safe floor in New England thanks to improved red‑zone opportunities with Romeo Doubs and A.J. Brown.
Pat Freiermuth, after a dip in 2025 due to Aaron Rodgers’ presence, could bounce back under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and Oronde Gadsden shows flashes of top‑10 upside in a crowded Chargers offense under Mike McDaniel.
Brenton Strange may break out in Jacksonville despite competition from Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers, while Dalton Schultz’s value fluctuates with Houston’s volume‑centric approach.
Terrance Ferguson, a second‑round pick in a deep Rams TE room, could thrive under Sean McVay with Matthew Stafford’s passing, and Greg Dulcich returns to Miami with a chance for increased target share given the team’s receiver scarcity.
Gunnar Helm, slated as the Titans’ TE1 alongside Cam Ward, is positioned for a breakout after Okonkwo’s departure, and AJ Barner could hold off Elijah Arroyo in Seattle’s red‑zone‑focused attack.
Mike Gesicki, a red‑zone weapon for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, may still deliver occasional boom weeks despite his prime years waning.