NFL Post-Draft Tight End Power Rankings: Projecting All 32 Starters in 2026

May 18, 2026

Quincy's NFL TE power rankings for post-NFL Draft. He ranks all 32 starting NFL tight ends following the NFL Draft, from Trey McBride to Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Tight end value around the NFL is on the rise. With so much athleticism being injected into the position in recent years, the pass-catching ability of these guys is skyrocketing. So many tight ends are now split out wide like wide receivers, creating mismatches with smaller defensive backs or slower linebackers. It is a joy to watch.

Of course, tight ends would not be complete without the ability to block. However, the league is shifting away from do-it-all tight ends such as George Kittle or Tyler Warren. As such, those tight ends can stick around for a long time because of their ability to impact every facet of an offensive scheme. Plus, who doesn't like to watch a tight end absolutely pancake block a defensive back?

With the NFL Draft behind us and voluntary workouts underway, it is time to take a look at the starting tight ends for 2026. Who is on track to start, and where do they stand? Let's dive in and check it out.

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No. 32: Ja'Tavion Sanders - Carolina Panthers

Ja'Tavion Sanders has all the athleticism to be a quality pass-catching tight end in the NFL, but the Panthers hardly use their tight ends. Sanders has slowly taken over as the starter in Carolina from Tommy Tremble. However, as long as the scheme remains the same, Sanders' overall opportunities will be limited.

No. 31: Greg Dulcich - Miami Dolphins

Greg Dulcich stayed in Miami this offseason after the team had employed several players at the position over the last few years. Dulcich will look to stake a claim in the league after bouncing around himself. With few weapons available in Miami, Dulcich has a good chance to stand out.

No. 30: Gunnar Helm - Tennessee Titans

Gunnar Helm was beginning to emerge behind Chig Okonkwo as a rookie in 2025. He looks like the type of player who could take a massive Year 2 leap at a position where many players do not make any impact in Year 1. Overall, Tennessee's offense should be greatly improved in 2026. If quarterback Cameron Ward takes a step forward, there is no doubt that Helm will, too.

No. 29: Evan Engram - Denver Broncos

Evan Engram played a nice role for the Broncos in 2025. He is a total chain mover and a quarterback's best friend. Engram's role should remain constant in 2026. He does not need to be a star, just someone who is where quarterback Bo Nix wants him to be.

No. 28: Cade Otton - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton is back with the Buccaneers as a solid option for the team. He is not a highlight machine by any means, but Otton is a savvy veteran at this point. The Buccaneers offense runs through the wide receivers, limiting Otton's chance to shine. However, he is known to make a big play now and then.

No. 27: Kenyon Sadiq - New York Jets

Kenyon Sadiq lands with the Jets after being selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Sadiq is an athletic freak, but he does not have the college production to match his athleticism. Perhaps it will all click in the NFL. He is an intriguing prospect to watch develop because he has all the tools necessary to dominate.

No. 26: Chig Okonkwo - Washington Commanders

Chig Okonkwo is finally receiving a shot to potentially play a large role in an NFL offense. Tennessee never used Okonkwo as heavily as other tight ends around the league. However, Okonkwo has displayed serious athleticism that should help to boost the Commanders offense.

No. 25: Dalton Schultz - Houston Texans

Dalton Schultz is entering the "old reliable" phase of his career. He is by no means going to blow anyone away with his athleticism, but he will be in the right spot at the right time for the quarterback. Schultz should continue to operate within his niche in this offense.

No. 24: Brenton Strange - Jacksonville Jaguars

Brenton Strange has begun to emerge as a big-time target for the Jaguars. He possesses above-average athleticism, and he should continue to ascend as he enters Year 4. Injuries kept Strange from fully breaking out in 2025, but he could have a massive year in 2026 in Year 2 of the Liam Coen system.

With arms wiiiide open!

RT to #ProBowlVote for Brenton Strange & Trevor Lawrence#JAXvsTEN on CBSpic.twitter.com/UrZbJ4hDwY

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) November 30, 2025

No. 23: Juwan Johnson - New Orleans Saints

Juwan Johnson suddenly finds himself as a lesser option in a Saints offense that made a lot of personnel improvements this offseason. However, Johnson is an athletic tight end who knows where to be. His overall production may drop, but his impact on this offense and the development of quarterback Tyler Shough should remain high.

No. 22: Oronde Gadsden II - Los Angeles Chargers

Oronde Gadsden II will enter this season as the top tight end on the depth chart. However, Los Angeles also signed David Njoku to create a serious tight end tandem. Gadsden flashed excellent ability as a rookie, but Njoku is a savvy veteran who has played at a high level for quite some time. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

No. 21: Mike Gesicki - Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Gesicki is back in Cincinnati with the tight end room more or less to himself. Gesicki has also been a solid producer as one of the better athletes at the position. With Joe Burrow slinging the rock, Gesicki could have a great season with less competition for targets.

We love @mikegesicki 😂#ProBowlVote + Mike Gesicki#CINvsTEN on FOX pic.twitter.com/YjMLzXwQgY

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 15, 2024

No. 20: T.J. Hockenson - Minnesota Vikings

T.J. Hockenson is not the same player he was before tearing his ACL a couple of years ago. But he is still a solid target for the Vikings. The Vikings have yet to name a starting quarterback for next season, but whoever it is will hope that Hockenson can be a nice safety blanket on shorter throws.

No. 19: Isaiah Likely - New York Giants

Step aside, Theo Johnson, for Isaiah Likely has entered the chat. The Giants spent legitimate money to lure Likely to New York. A favorite of new head coach John Harbaugh, Likely will likely be deployed all over the field in 2026. It will be Likely's first time entering the season as the unquestioned starter. He will be an absolute weapon for this team.

No. 18: Hunter Henry - New England Patriots

Hunter Henry keeps getting it done as a serious touchdown scorer at the position. He is going to continue to be Drake Maye's best friend on the field as a guy who can go up and make huge catches in the red zone. He should continue to be a steady producer in this offense as New England looks to go on another Super Bowl run.

No. 17: Colby Parkinson - Los Angeles Rams

Colby Parkinson came on in a big way in 2026. However, Los Angeles added yet another tight end to an already crowded tight end room during the draft. Still, Parkinson's production was likely no fluke. Sean McVay seems poised to continue dialing up touchdown opportunities for this physical tight end.

No.16: Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid is entering a pivotal fourth season in the NFL. He has been unable to stay healthy throughout his career, which has mightily stunted his development. Every time he seems to get things going, an injury gets in his way. Perhaps this will be the year he finally puts everything together.

No. 15: Pat Freiermuth - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pat Freiermuth is back in the driver's seat in the tight end room after the Steelers got rid of Jonnu Smith this offseason. Freiermuth has been a steady player throughout his career. He will be a reliable target for Aaron Rodgers this coming season, should Rodgers officially decide to play.

No. 14: AJ Barner - Seattle Seahawks

AJ Barner was a nice surprise for Seattle in 2025. Barner completely broke out in Year 2 as he racked up 519 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Barner's size and physicality were key components to Seattle's Super Bowl run. Despite 2025 second-round pick Elijah Arroyo being in the fold, Barner seems to have secured this starting gig until further notice.

No. 13: Harold Fannin Jr. - Cleveland Browns

The departure of David Njoku has paved the way for Harold Fannin Jr. to become the next great tight end in this league. Fannin was a revelation as a rookie in 2025, posting 731 receiving yards and six touchdowns. His arrow is only pointing up, especially with practically no depth behind him.

No. 12: Jake Ferguson - Dallas Cowboys

Jake Ferguson is one of Dak Prescott's favorite targets. It seems like the Cowboys always manage to have a quality pass-catching tight end, and Ferguson stands to continue filling that role for several years. Ferguson fits perfectly in an offense that has quality wide receivers.

No. 11: Colston Loveland - Chicago Bears

Colston Loveland is entering Year 2 in the NFL after breaking out over the latter half of his rookie campaign. Loveland is incredibly athletic and may very well be the Bears' No. 1 target in 2026. He can run routes at all levels of the field and should become a bona fide stud in the NFL.

No. 10: Tucker Kraft - Green Bay Packers

Tucker Kraft is coming off a torn ACL suffered in 2025. However, before the injury, Kraft looked like he was ascending as one of the best tight ends in the league. He was already coming off a pseudo-breakout in 2024. If Kraft can return to full strength, the rest of the league should watch out for this YAC monster.

A starfish and then a spike... must have been a Tucker Kraft TD!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/UFxzn63IY4

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 19, 2025

No. 9: Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles

Dallas Goedert had a career year in 2025, but he was almost not back with the team for the 2026 campaign. The Eagles have gone ahead and drafted Goedert's replacement in rookie Eli Stowers. While Goedert should stave off Stowers for at least part of this season, there is a world where Stowers takes over Goedert's starting job indefinitely.

No. 8: Mark Andrews - Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews has the tight end room to himself once again. For the last four years, we have all been wondering when the Ravens would turn the tight end reins over to Likely. An extension in 2025 for Andrews put that talk to bed. Andrews is nowhere near the same player he once was, but he has carved an excellent role for himself as a touchdown machine in this offense.

No. 7: Sam LaPorta - Detroit Lions

Sam LaPorta has been a bit lost in the shuffle in this Lions offense over the last couple of seasons. His statistics have regressed every year since he was drafted in 2023. Additionally, injuries limited LaPorta to just nine games in 2025. However, he is poised for a bounce back as he had racked up 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns in just nine games.

No. 6: George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle is easily the best all-around tight end in the league. Unfortunately, a torn Achilles suffered late last season has put Kittle's future in doubt. Achilles tears are not the career-enders that they used to be, but Kittle is advancing in his thirties, and his playing style relies on a lot of explosion. His injury is the only thing keeping him from cracking the top five on this list.

No. 5: Kyle Pitts Sr. - Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts Sr. and the Falcons failed to agree to a long-term deal this offseason, but Pitts will play out Year 6 on the franchise tag. In 2025, Pitts finally delivered on the promise he displayed as a rookie in 2021. Atlanta will need this version of Pitts moving forward if it is to jump back into the playoff mix. New head coach Kevin Stefanski should have plenty of plays up his sleeve for Pitts.

The Kyle Pitts Sr. Gamehttps://t.co/4yVnQQsWkZ pic.twitter.com/SvlDqSMWxj

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 17, 2025

No. 4: Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren experienced a solid rookie season in 2026. If Daniel Jones had not been injured late last season, Warren very well may have cracked 1,000 receiving yards. He looks like a true star in the making, and his versatility as a tight end and fullback is fun to watch.

No. 3: Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce is coming back for at least one more season. While he has lost a lot of his athleticism, his knowledge of the game has kept him among the league's best at the position despite his advanced age. Expect another solid season from the veteran as he and the Chiefs chase another title.

No. 2: Brock Bowers - Las Vegas Raiders

After a massive rookie breakout campaign, Brock Bowers followed that up with a sophomore slump riddled by injuries. Still, Bowers' talent is undeniable. In a new system and with a more competent offense overall in 2026, Bowers should return to his rookie form. At minimum, the quarterback play will be better.

No. 1: Trey McBride - Arizona Cardinals

Trey McBride looks unstoppable. He is an excellent receiving tight end who looks like he is well on his way to breaking plenty of records during his career. He has proved to be quarterback-proof as well. The best way to describe McBride is as a true stud.

10 catches
74 yards
2 TDs

only 1 Trey McBride 💪 pic.twitter.com/VhxMDmrULW

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) October 20, 2025

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