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Mike Fanelli provides his 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings, giving his top-15 tight ends heading into the upcoming season. Which tight ends made the cut?
There isn’t anything better to pass the time of the offseason than with NFL power rankings. They allow fan bases to debate topics, typically defending their favorite team.
Instead of doing a general NFL power rankings article, I did one regarding the tight-end position. While tight ends aren’t the flashiest position on the field, they play a significant role, especially for young quarterbacks.
Let’s look at the top-15 tight ends heading into the 2024 NFL season. Did your team’s favorite tight end make it into the top 15?
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Nos. 15-11
No. 15 – Dalton Schultz (HOU)
While Schultz barely saw the field his first two years in the NFL, the veteran tight end has been a solid pass-catcher for Dak Prescott and C.J. Stroud. He signed a three-year contract this offseason, keeping him in Houston for the foreseeable future. Schultz didn’t put up massive numbers last season but did have 59.3% of his receptions end in a first down.
No. 14 – Cole Kmet (CHI)
Chicago added multiple weapons this offseason, including Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze. While Kmet won’t be the second-most-targeted player for the Bears again in 2024, the veteran tight end will play a significant role for Caleb Williams. He had 73 receptions last season, beating his previous career high by nearly 18%. Kmet will be a go-to target for the rookie quarterback in the red zone.
No. 13 – Brock Bowers (LV)
Bowers was the clear-cut top tight end in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Furthermore, he was arguably the best tight-end prospect since Vernon Davis in 2006. While the former Georgia star won’t see a massive target share as a rookie with the Raiders, Bowers is too talented not to make an impact. Davante Adams gave Bowers the nickname "BM" for businessman because the rookie is all about football.
#Raiders WR Davante Adams gave rookie TE Brock Bowers the nickname "BM" for Business Man because he's all about ball pic.twitter.com/0KJGRBQsa7
— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) June 12, 2024
No. 12 – Pat Freiermuth (PIT)
Many had high hopes for Freiermuth after the former Penn State star had an impressive rookie season. Unfortunately, he has only four receiving touchdowns on 95 receptions over the past two years after totaling seven scores on 60 catches as a rookie. However, Freiermuth could have a career season in 2024. Arthur Smith’s offense has featured the tight-end position since his days with the Tennessee Titans.
No. 11 – David Njoku (CLE)
The 2023 season was a wild one for Njoku. He struggled with Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and P.J. Walker under center. However, the star tight end was outstanding in the five games with Joe Flacco. Njoku averaged seven receptions on 9.8 targets for 93.3 receiving yards and a touchdown per game over his final four regular-season contests. Hopefully, he can keep up his production this year.
Nos. 10-6
No. 10 – T.J. Hockenson (MIN)
Unfortunately, Hockenson’s status for the 2024 season is up in the air. The star tight end should play at some point this year but likely won’t be ready for Week 1 after tearing his ACL late last season. However, the former top-10 NFL Draft pick was a reliable target for every Minnesota quarterback in 2023. Hopefully, Hockenson will be 100% healthy sooner rather than later and can become a safety blanket for J.J. McCarthy.
Josh Dobbs to T. J. Hockenson for SIX 🙌
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/El6ZPOcPBs
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 12, 2023
No. 9 – Jake Ferguson (DAL)
Ferguson was a popular sophomore-year breakout candidate last season. The Cowboys had lost Dalton Schultz in free agency, opening the door for the former Wisconsin star to take over as the starter. He quickly turned into a reliable target for Dak Prescott, finishing second on the team in receptions (71), targets (102), and receiving yards (761). Ferguson’s role on offense should grow in 2024 after Dallas released Michael Gallup this offseason.
No. 8 – Evan Engram (JAC)
After struggling with injuries and drops during his time with the New York Giants, Engram has become one of the more reliable tight ends in the league. He set career highs in several receiving categories last season, including receptions (114), targets (143), receiving yards (963), and first-down catches (47). Furthermore, Engram was only three receptions short of breaking the NFL record by a tight end in a year.
No. 7 – George Kittle (SF)
The veteran tight end plays for arguably the top offense in the league. Despite splitting targets with three other talented pass- catchers, Kittle led all tight ends with 1,020 receiving yards in 2023. It was the first time since 2019 that the veteran had over 910 receiving yards. The 49ers added Ricky Pearsall during the NFL Draft, meaning Kittle will have to share targets with another talented receiver in 2024.
No. 6 – Kyle Pitts (ATL)
Everyone was excited to see what Pitts would become after an impressive rookie season. He joined Mike Ditka as the only two tight ends in NFL history with over 1,000 receiving yards in their rookie year. Unfortunately, injuries and poor quarterback production have hampered the former Florida star’s play. Thankfully, that won’t be the case in 2024 after the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins. Pitts could lead all tight ends in receiving yards this season if he is 100% healthy.
Nos. 5-1
No. 5 – Mark Andrews (BAL)
Andrews missed seven games last season because of a leg injury. Yet, he had six receiving touchdowns for the fourth time in the past five years. Furthermore, the veteran tight end had over 70 receptions and 110 targets in back-to-back seasons before getting hurt in 2023. While the Ravens are a run-first offense, Andrews should continue to put up elite tight-end numbers with Lamar Jackson under center.
No. 4 – Trey McBride (ARI)
Arizona didn’t have the 2023 season that it wanted. However, the team had a few bright spots, including McBride. The second-year tight end had a breakout season, leading the Cardinals in receptions (81), targets (106), and receiving yards (825) despite seeing limited playing time with Zach Ertz healthy. However, McBride was arguably a top-2 tight end once the veteran got hurt and was eventually released.
No. 3 – Dalton Kincaid (BUF)
The Bills surprised everyone when they traded up during the 2023 NFL Draft to select Kincaid. While he had only two receiving touchdowns as a rookie, the former Utah star is a popular sophomore-year breakout candidate. Buffalo lost its top-2 wide receivers this offseason, with Stefon Diggs joining the Houston Texans and Gabe Davis signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kincaid could rank in the top 10 in receptions this upcoming season.
Dalton Kincaid's first career TD puts the @BuffaloBills in the lead!#TBvsBUF on Prime Video
Also available on #NFLPlus https://t.co/E5pvHuys2o pic.twitter.com/fx9xatwl4H— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2023
No. 2 – Travis Kelce (KC)
While some thought the future Hall of Famer could retire this offseason, Kelce will return in 2024. More importantly, the superstar says he wants a full workload on his plate. Unfortunately, Kelce dealt with injuries last year and had a disappointing season by his standards. However, no one should bet on him having a repeat performance this year.
No. 1 – Sam LaPorta (DET)
LaPorta is the top tight end in our power rankings after having an all-time rookie season. The former Iowa star had 10 receiving touchdowns in 2023, the most among tight ends and the fourth most in the NFL. More importantly, he had double-digit touchdowns despite Amon-Ra St. Brown also scoring 10 times last year. The Lions should have a top-tier offense again in 2024 after retaining Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator.
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