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Fantasy football rankings - updated tight end (TE) Week 5 rankings for 2025. Read the top-accuracy fantasy football TE PPR rankings.
If you don't have a must-start stud like Trey McBride, the tight end spot is often the trickiest to navigate each week. We're here to help you decide who to start with our Week 5 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2025. In the full table of TE rankings below, fantasy managers will see where TEs on the start-sit bubble, like Darren Waller, Hunter Henry, David Njoku, T.J. Hockenson, Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz, and more stand for the fifth week of the NFL season.
Our tight end fantasy football rankings for Week 5 are put together by Nick Mariano. Below the rankings, you will also find key fantasy football outlooks from our RotoBaller staff, as well as the "Who to Start?" tool. Also, be sure to check our fantasy football news for this week. There are always key injuries and developments to keep track of, so check back throughout the week for updates.
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Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.
Week 5 Tight End Rankings for Fantasy Football
Bookmark our PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, and standard (non-PPR) rankings
| TE Tier |
TE Rank |
Player Name |
Pos. | Overall Rank |
| 1 | 1 | Trey McBride | TE | 27 |
| 1 | 2 | Brock Bowers | TE | 41 |
| 2 | 3 | Tyler Warren | TE | 54 |
| 3 | 4 | Jake Ferguson | TE | 56 |
| 3 | 5 | Hunter Henry | TE | 57 |
| 3 | 6 | Sam LaPorta | TE | 66 |
| 3 | 7 | Dalton Kincaid | TE | 67 |
| 4 | 8 | Juwan Johnson | TE | 70 |
| 4 | 9 | Travis Kelce | TE | 77 |
| 5 | 10 | Brenton Strange | TE | 81 |
| 6 | 11 | T.J. Hockenson | TE | 82 |
| 6 | 12 | Zach Ertz | TE | 84 |
| 6 | 13 | Dallas Goedert | TE | 88 |
| 6 | 14 | Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | 93 |
| 7 | 15 | Dalton Schultz | TE | 94 |
| 7 | 16 | Darren Waller | TE | 96 |
| 7 | 17 | David Njoku | TE | 98 |
| 7 | 18 | Mason Taylor | TE | 100 |
| 8 | 19 | Mark Andrews | TE | 101 |
| 8 | 20 | Theo Johnson | TE | 105 |
| 8 | 21 | Jake Tonges | TE | 110 |
| 9 | 22 | Tommy Tremble | TE | 122 |
| 9 | 23 | Chig Okonkwo | TE | 125 |
| 9 | 24 | AJ Barner | TE | 129 |
| 10 | 25 | Evan Engram | TE | 130 |
| 10 | 26 | Oronde Gadsden II | TE | 131 |
| 10 | 27 | Elijah Arroyo | TE | 139 |
| 10 | 28 | Cade Otton | TE | 144 |
| 11 | 29 | Mike Gesicki | TE | 149 |
| 12 | 30 | Noah Fant | TE | 156 |
| 13 | 31 | Noah Gray | TE | 158 |
| 13 | 32 | Isaiah Likely | TE | 160 |
| 13 | 33 | Colby Parkinson | TE | 164 |
| 13 | 34 | Davis Allen | TE | 171 |
| 13 | 35 | Austin Hooper | TE | 177 |
| 13 | 36 | Tyler Conklin | TE | 179 |
| 13 | 37 | Luke Farrell | TE | 183 |
| 14 | 38 | Dawson Knox | TE | 185 |
| 14 | 39 | Hunter Long | TE | 189 |
| 14 | 40 | Gunnar Helm | TE | 192 |
| 14 | 41 | Jackson Hawes | TE | 200 |
| 14 | 42 | Brock Wright | TE | 202 |
| 14 | 43 | Mitchell Evans | TE | 208 |
| 14 | 44 | Adam Trautman | TE | 209 |
| 14 | 45 | Elijah Higgins | TE | 212 |
| 14 | 46 | Drew Sample | TE | 213 |
| 14 | 47 | Luke Schoonmaker | TE | 214 |
| 14 | 48 | Josh Oliver | TE | 215 |
| 15 | 49 | Mo Alie-Cox | TE | 216 |
| 15 | 50 | Tanner Conner | TE | 220 |
| 15 | 51 | Julian Hill | TE | 221 |
| 15 | 52 | Grant Calcaterra | TE | 226 |
| 15 | 53 | Jack Stoll | TE | 228 |
| 15 | 54 | Harrison Bryant | TE | 230 |
| 15 | 55 | Jeremy Ruckert | TE | 234 |
| 15 | 56 | Tip Reiman | TE | 235 |
| 15 | 57 | Ben Sinnott | TE | 236 |
| 15 | 58 | Charlie Kolar | TE | 237 |
| 15 | 59 | Reggie Gilliam | RB/TE | 263 |
Week 5 Tight End Rankings Outlooks
Darren Waller, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip, rest) projects to become a more prominent figure in the team's pass attack following the injury to wide receiver Tyreek Hill (knee). Waller made his season debut in Week 4's win over the New York Jets, hauling in two touchdowns on 3-of-4 receiving in his first appearance since Week 18 of 2023.
The veteran's volume should increase as the Fins continue ramping up his workload, but even more promising was his work in the red zone. Despite logging just 16 snaps on Monday, Waller's two targets inside the 20-yard line match him with two other players on the team behind Jaylen Waddle (five). Miami hasn't had a big, imposing target like the 33-year-old in recent history, making him an asset to monitor ahead of their outing with the hosting Carolina Panthers this weekend.
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz has continued to be productive in his age-34 season, catching 14 of 20 targets for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Currently, the TE11 in total points scored, Ertz will benefit from having star quarterback Jayden Daniels (knee) return to the lineup, as they have built a strong rapport in their two years together.
He's been less productive with veteran Marcus Mariota starting the past two games, catching five of seven targets for 59 yards. The veteran will look to get back on the right track in Week 5 against a difficult Chargers defense that has allowed the sixth fewest receptions to tight ends this season. Ertz can be trusted as a low-end TE1 for Week 5.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) was not on the Friday injury report and seems ready to play on Sunday. Goedert has three scores over his last two games since returning from injury, hauling in two in the first half last week against the Buccaneers.
Goedert has been one of the most consistent and reliable players at his position so far this season and is the only player on Philly's roster with multiple receiving touchdowns. He matches up against one of the league's best defenses in Week 5 as the Broncos visit Philly. Denver allows the sixth-least amount of fantasy points to TEs through four games this year, but Goedert has proven himself as one of Jalen Hurts' favorite targets. He's a solid TE1 this week.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has had an underwhelming season so far in terms of fantasy production, recording 16 catches for 177 yards without finding the end zone through his first four games. After earning nine targets in Week 1, LaPorta has been targeted exactly four times by Lions quarterback Jared Goff in each of the last three weeks.
LaPorta has a favorable matchup on paper in Week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed the third-most passing yards (1,089) and fifth-most passing touchdowns (eight) in the league through four games. The Bengals are also allowing an average of 10 targets per game to tight ends, which is the highest mark in the league. Despite the frustrating production he has provided to this point, LaPorta remains a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 5.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. Johnson began the week with a DNP on Wednesday, but was able to practice in limited capacity on Thursday and Friday, which gives him a shot to play in Week 5. The Saints also designated tight end Taysom Hill (knee) to return from the PUP list, giving him a suit up for the first time in Week 5. Johnson has operated as the full-time tight end for New Orleans over the first month of the season, and he has been quite productive with his opportunity, hauling in 22 of 31 targets for a team-leading 204 yards and a touchdown. He'll rank as a firm TE1 in Week 5 if he can go.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson is a mid-range TE2 heading into his team's Week 5 meeting against the strong defense of the Cleveland Browns. The veteran tight end has picked up the pace during the past two weeks, going for 11 targets, nine catches, 88 yards, and a touchdown with backup quarterback Carson Wentz under center, but Minnesota has bigger issues on Sunday.
The Vikings have ruled out three of five starters on the offensive line, hampering an offense that was already without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and running back Aaron Jones (hamstring). Against a Browns defense with one of the top defensive lines in the game, the Vikings are facing a tall task that could limit the number of opportunities for offensive players like Hockenson.
Oronde Gasden, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden experienced a significant drop in his target volume against the New York Giants, catching only two passes on three targets for 16 yards after his seven-target debut. This low output was primarily due to the Chargers' offense struggling to sustain drives.
Facing Week 5 against the vulnerable Washington Commanders, Gadsden aims to regain the momentum he showed in his debut two weeks ago. The potential return of Will Dissly (knee), who missed the last game and carries a questionable status entering this match, adds some uncertainty, but Gadsden's youth and size suggest he will still see playing time. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as TE24. He remains a promising stash because of his size and the trust Justin Herbert has in him, but fantasy owners should consider other options at the position for now.
Who Should I Start Tool
Not sure who to start? Check out the Who Should I Start tool:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to start...
Who Should I Start? Who Should I Sit? Some common Week 5 fantasy football lineup decisions are regarding tight end options like Darren Waller, Hunter Henry, David Njoku, T.J. Hockenson, Juwan Johnson, Dalton Schultz. But not to worry, we are here to help make these decisions and build winning lineups in Week 5.
Week 5 Player Decisions. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season. Our free Who Should I Start? tool will help make your fantasy football lineup decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to start... all free! Get your winning lineups set, and make the right decisions.
Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player's name. In the second box, search for the second player's name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Start? button to see who the recommended starts are based on weekly fantasy football matchups.
Improvements For Who Should I Start? You may have noticed, we've added lots of great features for you to give you as much information as possible to win your fantasy football matchups each week. You'll see NFL player tiles with headshots and bye weeks, enhanced search results with data to compare, and a slick new interface. We hope you enjoy!
How It Works. Each week, our RotoBaller staff puts together their weekly fantasy football rankings and projections based on their research. That information is the core data that is powering the decision-making in this tool. When you search for player names, you will only see those players who are ranked. If someone is out for the week, they will not appear in the search results.
Scoring Formats. Fantasy football managers play in various types of leagues, and this tool allows you to choose whether it's PPR scoring, Half-PPR scoring, or Standard (Non-PPR) scoring. The second thing you want to do is to select the scoring format. There are three small radio buttons (small circles), so click on the scoring format you prefer. The results may vary based on the scoring format you select.
Popular Week 5 Searches. Curious to see some tough lineup decisions for Week 5 (2025)? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Start? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at this week. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Week 5 Searches - Start/Sit Player Comparisons
Below are some popular Week 5 searches and comparisons from our 'Who To Start' tool:
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