The 2026 fantasy football season is already generating buzz as analysts zero in on a handful of tight ends whose statistical trajectories suggest a leap forward.
Rising Stars at the Tight End Position
Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers is perhaps the most compelling story. After a mid‑season ACL tear in 2025 that limited him to eight games, the 27‑year‑old finished with 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. Medical reports indicate a full recovery, and the Packers’ coaching staff has said he will be ready for the upcoming campaign.
Mark Andrews, now a Baltimore Raven after a trade, posted a career‑low 422 receiving yards on 48 catches last year, but his role is set to expand. With Isaiah Likely heading to the New York Giants, Andrews is expected to see a higher target share, especially in the red‑zone.
Gunnar Helm, the Tennessee Titans’ newly minted TE1, entered the league as a rookie with 44 catches for 357 yards and two scores. The departure of Chig Okonkwo to the Washington Commanders clears the path for Helm to become the primary pass‑catching option at his position.
Brenton Strange of the Jacksonville Jaguars closed the 2025 campaign strong, amassing 46 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns across 12 games. His PPR ranking of TE23 reflects a late‑season surge, and improved chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence should push his numbers even higher.
For fantasy managers, the common thread among these players is a combination of health, increased usage and favorable offensive contexts. Monitoring training camp reports and preseason snap counts will be essential to lock in the right pieces before the draft.