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Dave Ventresca analyzes and ranks the 10 greatest NFL tight ends of all time. Where do the game's greats stack up against each other in league history?
When it comes to fantasy football, tight end is one of the most frustrating positions. There are few true difference-makers at tight end, and that means the majority of league members are left racking their brains to find a suitable starter.
While that might be the case for fantasy football players, the reality is that tight end is an extremely important position in the NFL. Over the years, we’ve been fortunate enough to watch several of the game’s best tight ends compete every week. But where do we even begin when comparing some of the greatest tight ends of all time? Today, we are going to try our best to do just that and will rank the top 10 tight ends to ever step on an NFL field.
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10.) Greg Olsen
Olsen’s 742 career receptions and 8,683 receiving yards both rank seventh all-time among tight ends. His 60 career touchdowns are also good enough for ninth all-time.
This touchdown catch from Greg Olsen >>>>>>>>>
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) November 4, 2018
He played 14 seasons in the NFL and was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears. However, Olsen is mostly known for his time with the Carolina Panthers. He would post three straight 1,000-yard seasons with Carolina from 2014-16. Olsen helped lead the Panthers to an NFC title in 2015, but the team would ultimately fall to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
9.) Zach Ertz
Ertz was selected 35th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2013 NFL Draft. He is not known for his blocking but rather for his fantastic work as a receiver. His 775 career receptions rank seventh all-time among tight ends and his 8,088 career receiving yards are good for ninth all-time.
Thank you Zach Ertz for everything you have contributed to our city and especially for scoring the Super Bowl game-winning touchdown!
A Philadelphia Eagle forever. pic.twitter.com/YgvrtHIEtG
— Barstool Philly (@BarstoolPhilly) October 15, 2021
He has bounced around the NFL a bit in recent seasons, but Ertz’s best years were during his time with the Philadelphia Eagles. Ertz won a Super Bowl title in 2017 and had his best statistical season in 2018 when he posted a 116-1,163-8 line on 156 targets. He is the most prolific tight end in Eagles history and deserves a spot on our list.
8.) Ozzie Newsome
Newsome’s NFL career spanned 13 seasons, all of which were played with the Cleveland Browns. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark twice in his career and his 662 career receptions rank ninth on the all-time list. When Newsome retired, he was the NFL’s all-time leader in tight-end receiving yards and receptions. He was a unique player and was truly ahead of his time.
The former Cleveland Brown was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He would later serve as the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens from 2002-18 and won a Lombardi Trophy when Baltimore defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII.
7.) Jimmy Graham
A former college basketball player turned tight end, Graham was selected in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He had his best seasons playing for Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints from 2010-14. During that time, he posted four straight seasons with at least 85 receptions, eclipsed 1,200 receiving yards twice, and scored 51 touchdowns.
Flashback to the time Jimmy Graham scores a Touchdown and then destroys a Field Goal Post 😤 pic.twitter.com/8PISrKjDNV
— Boot Krewe Media (@BootKreweMedia) July 25, 2023
He was a truly unique player. The only reason Graham is not ranked higher on this list is that his game did not age well compared to other elite tight ends. His prime was short, but man, was he a fun player to watch in his heyday.
6.) Shannon Sharpe
Sharpe won three Super Bowl rings during his 14 seasons with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens. He broke the 1,000-yard mark three times in his career and was known for his ability to create big plays.
Shannon Sharpe brings in a 65-Yard Touchdown
Broncos vs Falcons
September 28th, 1997@ShannonSharpe pic.twitter.com/VHLn9lWSLD— The Broncos Daily 🗞 (@TheBroncosDaily) November 14, 2024
The Hall of Famer was also famous for jawing at opponents and is one of the greatest trash talkers the league has seen. Sharpe currently ranks fifth in all-time tight-end receiving yards and receptions.
5.) Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski is best known for his playing days with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. During his nine seasons in New England, Gronkowski had four 1,000-yard seasons and was a touchdown machine.
12 years ago today, Rob Gronkowski caught his very first NFL touchdown 👏pic.twitter.com/xVnUwW7do3
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) September 12, 2022
He would briefly retire following the 2018 season but would return for a two-year stint with Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronkowski has the sixth-most receiving yards for a tight end and his 92 career touchdowns rank third all-time among tight ends. Four Super Bowl rings cement his status as one of the game's best tight ends.
4.) Jason Witten
Witten is one of only 15 players with 1,000 career receptions and is one of only two tight ends with 1,200+ receptions. His 1,228 receptions are the fourth most in the history of the NFL.
#TBT to 2007 when Jason Witten kept running despite getting his helmet ripped off vs the #Eagles. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/UpiLpAeJzk
— Dem Boyz Nation (@DemBoyzNation) October 27, 2016
He is most known for his time with the Dallas Cowboys. Witten played 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with Dallas. He posted four 1,000-yard seasons and eclipsed 70+ receptions nine times. Witten’s 13,046 receiving yards are currently the second most for a tight end. He was an all-around player and enjoyed many fine seasons playing for America’s team.
3.) Antonio Gates
The Chargers franchise leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns checks in at No. 3 on our list. Gates enjoyed a fantastic career with the San Diego Chargers that lasted 16 years. His story is even more incredible when you consider he went undrafted in the 2003 NFL Draft.
With this touchdown, Antonio Gates now has the most TDs for a tight end in NFL history! 1️⃣1️⃣2️⃣ #MIAvsLAC pic.twitter.com/xSVJMbr9m6
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 17, 2017
Gates currently ranks fourth in all-time tight-end receiving yards, fourth in tight-end receptions, and scored a whopping 116 career touchdowns, which ranks first among tight ends. He was a generational athlete, and his career is even more impressive when you consider the fact he never played football at the collegiate level.
2.) Travis Kelce
Kelce’s run of strong seasons continued in 2024. He did have a career-low 8.5 yards per reception but eclipsed 90 receptions for the seventh straight year.
Travis Kelce breaks Tony Gonzalez's Chiefs franchise touchdown record and pays tribute with a dunk celebration!
77 career TDs for Kelce as a member of #ChiefsKingdom 🤯https://t.co/5Rg8hC7gLDpic.twitter.com/ucWClJOyU8
— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) December 25, 2024
The 12-year veteran did post his lowest receiving yards total since 2014. It looks like Father Time has finally caught up to Kelce. He briefly flirted with retirement but ultimately decided to return for the 2025 season.
While Kelce may be in decline, he remains one of the game’s best tight ends. Kelce ranks third all-time in tight-end receptions and receiving yards. He has also eclipsed Jerry Rice for the most postseason receptions of all time. Kelce has been fortunate enough to play in five total Super Bowls and win three Super Bowl rings.
This is quite the list of accomplishments for the longtime Kansas City tight end. It cements his place as one of the game's best tight ends.
1.) Tony Gonzalez
It’s a close call with Travis Kelce, but we have to give the edge to Tony Gonzalez. Yes, Kelce has the obvious edge in Super Bowl rings. Short of that, though, it’s hard to argue against Gonzalez.
He has the most tight-end receptions and receiving yards of all time and is second to Gates in touchdowns. Gonzalez also has the third-most receptions in NFL history, which is no small feat for a tight end. He was first-team All-Pro six times and made an incredible 14 Pro Bowls. Gonzalez was elected as the first first-ballot Hall of Fame tight end in 2019. That just about perfectly sums up his career.
The date was October 5, 1997 and we were playing the Miami Dolphins. I caught a 21 yard touchdown pass from Elvis Grbac. It took until week 6 for me to get my first @NFL touchdown. Got a nice hug from my teammate, Andre Rison. It was the first of many HA! #fbf @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/5r6ag6ggBm
— Tony Gonzalez (@TonyGonzalez88) March 11, 2022
However you choose to rank Gonzalez and Kelce, one thing is clear. The Chiefs have been lucky enough to draft two of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.
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