Rookie Uprising: Another Unexpected TE Rising Up the Rankings for Week 7

Fantasy football rankings - tight ends (TE) Week 7 rankings early edition for 2025. Read the top-accuracy fantasy football TE rankings.

As always, the tight end pecking order looks a lot different as we approach the midway point of the 2025 campaign compared to how it looked to start the year. We're here to guide your tough start-sit calls with our Week 7 fantasy football tight end rankings for 2025. Below, find out where Dallas Goedert, Darren Waller, Hunter Henry, Cade Otton, Harold Fannin Jr., Michael Mayer, and more stand for the seventh slate of NFL action.

Our tight end fantasy football rankings for Week 7 are put together by Nick Mariano. Below the rankings, you will also find a summary of the important TE 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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Week 7 Tight End Rankings for Fantasy Football

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Week 7 Tight End Rankings Outlooks

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has already been through the waiver wire cycle this season, but the rookie is heating back up and could be even more productive in the coming weeks. Fannin led the Browns with seven catches and 81 receiving yards in Week 6 against the Steelers. He was second on the team with 10 targets behind only Jerry Jeudy. He seems to have formed a strong connection with rookie QB Dillon Gabriel, and the Browns seem ready to let Gabriel air it out, as evidenced by his massive 52 pass attempts on Sunday in Pittsburgh.

Fannin played 80% of snaps in Week 6 and could be in for even more snaps and targets depending on the status of David Njoku (knee), who left the game and returned twice before ultimately being ruled out in the fourth quarter. If Njoku misses time, there will be even more work for Fannin, although his target share is already impressive enough to make him a strong waiver wire pickup and potential play this week in a very favorable matchup against the Dolphins.

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer returned from his concussion and stepped right into a key role for the Raiders in their Week 6 win over the Titans. He filled in for the injured Brock Bowers (knee) and played 92% of the team's offensive snaps, catching five of his team-high seven targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. If Bowers is out again in Week 7, which seems likely to be the case, Mayer will be an outstanding tight end option for the Raiders' divisional matchup with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have been very good against tight ends overall this year, but Sam LaPorta did have a good showing against them on Sunday Night Football, which could indicate a good game is coming for Mayer if he stays so involved in Week 7. Mayer should be owned in all leagues and can be a TE1 if Bowers is ruled out.

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that he expects tight end George Kittle (hamstring) to return to practice this week ahead of the Week 7 game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It means that the Niners should be designating Kittle to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday so that he can rejoin the team at practice. It's good news that the Pro Bowl tight end is close to returning to the practice field, but it's not a guarantee that he'll officially be activated from IR to play in Week 7.

The 32-year-old has been out since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. It's unclear if Kittle will have restrictions on his snap count when he's officially back, but his return will be a massive boost to San Fran's banged-up receiving corps. When Kittle is back, he'll be a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy that should be peppered with targets from either quarterback Mac Jones or Brock Purdy (toe).

Oronde Gadsden, Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden had a breakout game in Week 6, catching seven of eight targets for 68 yards in the team's 29-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. He was second on the team in targets and ran more routes than Keenan Allen (32 vs. 29). Gadsden clearly benefited from wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) being out and continues to separate himself from veteran tight ends Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin.

In Week 7, he will face an Indianapolis Colts team that has allowed touchdowns to tight ends in back-to-back weeks, giving Gadsden a great opportunity to keep building momentum. We recommended stashing Gadsden in deeper leagues these past few weeks, but fantasy managers in all leagues should take note. The rookie is trending up fast and could serve as a high-floor TE2 moving forward.

AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner saw his production dip slightly in Sunday's 20-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, but was still effective even on minimal work. Barner caught a career-high seven passes in Week 5, but drew only three targets against Jacksonville (3/71). Despite the downtick, the 23-year-old placed second in yards, receptions, and looks to target hog teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and remains an intriguing fantasy play.

While the touchdowns can't be counted on every week, Barner is far and away the snap leader at his position, and the clear third target on the team behind Smith-Njigba and veteran Cooper Kupp. Fantasy managers can't expect weekly consistency quite yet with diminished target totals, but the Michigan alum is an excellent streaming option and is slowly rising up the dynasty ranks.

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren caught six of his nine targets for 63 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals. The rookie has been quite impactful during his first pro season, ranking as the overall TE2 through six weeks. He has at least 14 fantasy points (PPR) in each of his last three games, which is one reason for his surge into the No. 2 spot.

He fits nicely in the Colts' offense as a physical threat in the passing game, and we've also seen him run the football from time to time. Fantasy managers should have no hesitation about starting him as a mid-range TE1 in Week 7 against the Chargers.

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