Fantasy Football Tight End Breakouts For 2026 - Sneaky Candidates To Claim TE1 Status

April 9, 2026

Andy discusses tight end fantasy football breakouts, sleepers -- sneaky candidates to be a TE1 in 2026. Who will finish as a top-12 fantasy football TE?

The tight end position is often the most volatile for fantasy football. Managers who rostered Trey McBride during the 2025 campaign likely enjoyed a deep playoff run, while the managers who used an early pick on players like Mark Andrews, Travis Kelce, and Sam LaPorta were likely very disappointed based on their end-of-season production.

However, every season, tight ends on the wire emerge as must-roster players, as Harold Fannin Jr. or Hunter Henry did in 2025. In this piece, we will attempt to predict the "next" Fannin for 2026. What tight end sleepers will not only provide high-end value in 2026 but also finish as a top-12 option at the position?

Let's take a look at six "way-too-early" tight end sleepers who could emerge as weekly must-start TE1s in 2026. Be sure to also check out my sleeper running backs to finish as an "RB1"  and sleeper wide receivers to finish as a "WR1" in 2026!

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

After flashing some upside during the 2024 campaign operating in the No. 2 role behind Evan Engram, Strange emerged as a starring-caliber tight end in the NFL during the 2025 campaign.

Strange would finish the season with 46 catches (on 60 targets) for 540 yards and three touchdowns. In terms of total PPR fantasy points, Strange finishes as the No. 23 option at the position, but was a top-18 TE in terms of FPTS/G.

While this was a solid campaign in his first time as a starter, expect him to take another step forward in 2026.

Strange began the season in a limited role, averaging just 8.1 FPTS/G over his first five games. During this stretch, Strange totaled 40.8 yards per game but only saw 4.8 targets per game. However, following a hip injury that kept him on the shelf for more than a month, Strange quickly found his footing down the stretch.

Over the second half, Trevor Lawrence performed as an MVP candidate, and Strange (and most of the WR room) reaped the rewards. From Weeks 12 through 18, Strange would average a much higher 11.1 PPR points per game.

During this seven-game stretch, he would find the back of the end zone seven times while totaling 48.0 yards per game. His target share would improve as he would see 5.1 targets per game and become a force in the red zone, drawing 10 total targets with the 10-yard line.

During this stretch, Strange was the overall TE8 in terms of total PPR points and was No. 12 at the top in terms of PPR points per game.

Brenton Strange's touchdown give the Jags the lead before half! pic.twitter.com/uPjKtfafNP

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 21, 2025

While his target share may not be as steady, Brian Thomas Jr. could return to his rookie-level production and reclaim the top role in the wide receiver corps, which would take opportunities away from Strange.

Even if Thomas were to bounce back, if Lawrence continues the same trajectory he had concluded the season, this Jacksonville offense will be one of the top-scoring units in the sport.

With a weak No. 2 option behind him in Quintin Morris, Strange should be penciled in to see a massive role during the 2026 season and has a path to clear top-12 status.

Chig Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

One of the free-agency moves at the position was Chig Okonkwo. After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career in Tennessee, the Maryland product will return close to home and join forces with Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Okonkwo has flashed upside at times, but has never put together a true "TE1" season.

Over his four NFL seasons, he has only eclipsed the 500-yard mark twice and has only scored more than two touchdowns in a single season, which occurred during his 2022 debut campaign. In 2025, Okonkwo shared time with rookie Gunnar Helm, but he was still effective, drawing 79 targets, the most of his career, and catching 56 for 560 yards and two scores.

Overall, Okonkwo would finish as the overall TE21 in PPR points and the lower TE28 on a points-per-game measurement.

However, there is reason to trust Okonkwo in 2026, as he could easily surpass his previous career high in terms of volume. Throughout his career, Okonkwo has flashed his upside after the catch and could find great success in D.C. In 2025, Okonkwo posted an elite 6.2 average yards after catch while seeing 9.5% of the team's receiving yards, both of which were well above the average marks at his position.

He will now play with a quarterback who often targets his tight end, especially near the red zone. Currently, Okonkwo has a path to being the team's No. 2 target as the Commanders have a weak WR room outside of Terry McLaurin. During Daniels' debut season, veteran tight end Zach Ertz turned back the clock and was available at TE1 for the majority of the season.

In 2024, Ertz saw 91 targets and brought in 66 of them for 654 yards and seven scores, making him the TE7 in PPR points. If Okonkwo can become a reliable target for Daniels, especially near the red zone, he could have an even better campaign than Ertz did, given his greater athleticism. Okonkwo figures to be a prime "late-round TE" in 2026.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets

Our next tight end could reach "TE1" stats based on volume. Mason Taylor had a modest debut campaign on one of the worst offenses in the sport. With subpar QB play, Taylor caught 44 of his 65 targets for 369 yards and a touchdown. He only eclipsed the double-digit PPR point mark in four games and fell short of the 5.0 PPR point mark in five contests.

Despite his inconsistent season, fantasy managers should consider targeting Taylor late in their 2026 drafts, as he will likely be very underpriced given his offensive isolation and underwhelming debut season.

Like Okonkwo, Taylor projects to see high volume in his second NFL season as the Jets lack any proven option outside of Garrett Wilson. While Adonai Mitchell showed flashes at times, Taylor can emerge as the No. 2 option in the passing offense.

In free agency, the Jets brought in Geno Smith, who will likely operate as the team's starting QB in 2026. While he does not have much of a ceiling, he should provide stable play under center that allows Taylor to see consistent targets every week, which he could not see with Justin Fields as quarterback in 2025.

Additionally, head coach Aaron Glenn has cited Taylor as a player he believes will take a step forward in Year 2. His projected volume could allow him to turn in a Dalton Schultz-esque season, who was the overall TE10 in 2025 while scoring only three touchdowns but catching a high 82 passes.

Does Mason Taylor Have Breakout Potential in 2026? https://t.co/dm4rlslgmy

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) March 17, 2026

Isaiah Likely, New York Giants

The other major offseason shift at the position was Isaiah Likely reuniting with his head coach, John Harbaugh, in the Big Apple. Likely has often played in Mark Andrews' shadow for most of his career, but has shone when given the opportunities.

In 2025, in the two games in which Likely saw at least six targets, he averaged 13.5 PPR points per game with 60.0 yards per game. In 2024, Likely would average an elite 15.3 PPR points per game in the five games when he saw five or more targets. His best outing would come in Week 1 of that season when he would total 26.1 PPR points against the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, for most of the season, Likely would be a low-end TE2, as he often fell short of the 5.0-PPR mark in most games, operating as the No. 2 option on his depth chart.

While his track record of being a reliable fantasy asset is short, he now has the path to become the team's No. 1 TE. The Giants inked him to a three-year contract, indicating they view him as the long-term solution at the position. While he may compete with Theo Johnson for opportunities early on, his talent should push him to the top spot very quickly.

With Malik Nabers (knee) potentially limited as he works his way back and Wan'Dale Robinson now in Tennessee, Likely has a path to become Jaxson Dart's "1B" in this New York passing offense.

Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers

Gadsden began the season in a depth role but quickly climbed to the top of the depth chart, even as a Day 3 rookie. The former fifth-round pick would have 5.2 PPR points per game in his first three NFL games, but completely flipped the script in Week 6.

From Week 6 through 9, Gadsden would emerge as a potential waiver-wire wonder as he totaled 18.4 PPR points per game, including a monstrous 164-yard effort against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. However, his surge was short-lived as he would total just 5.5 PPR points per game over his last eight games (Weeks 10 through 18).

rook gets his first nfl td

📺 | @nfloncbs pic.twitter.com/XMA5gdtDdI

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 19, 2025

Despite the disappointing finish, managers should trust the young talent and bet on a more consistent showing in Year 2. The main reason is their scheming upgrade.

In the offseason, the Chargers brought in former Miami Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel. While McDaniel's Dolphins had two rough showings in 2024 and 2025, they were top-5 offenses in 2022 and 2023. Given the talent on this roster, McDaniel's scheme could return to form in California.

Don't forget, McDaniel was a major reason Jonnu Smith finished as the TE4 in the 2024 campaign, catching 88 passes for 884 yards and five touchdowns. While Gadsden may not see the same number of receptions as he would if he shared an offense with Ladd McConkey, Omarion Hampton, and Quentin Johnston, he could become a force in the red zone.

Given his lackluster conclusion, Gadsden should carry a very affordable price tag in 2026 drafts.

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams

Rounding out our list will be Colby Parkinson of the Los Angeles Rams. Parkinson finished just outside of the top 12 in 2025, ending the campaign as the TE17 in total PPR points. However, given his very slow start to the season, Parkinson has an easy path to achieving "TE1" stats if he can maintain sustained consistency.

Over his first six games (Weeks 1 through 9), Parkinson would total a low 2.6 PPR points per game and was likely on the waiver wire in all formats, even dynasty leagues. However, from Weeks 10 through 18, Parkinson would become a dominant force in the red zone.

Over these final nine games, Parkinson would find the back of the end zone eight times and averaged a strong 12.9 PPR points per game. During this defined stretch, Parkinson was the overall TE4 in total points, and his touchdown count led the entire position.

Even though the Rams opted to re-sign Tyler Higbee this winter and will also have young Terrance Ferguson entering his second NFL season, Parkinson should remain a force in the red zone.

While Higbee was sidelined for much of Parkinson's dominant stretch, Parkinson's performance should give him the edge for the lead role in camp, as Higbee has never come close to an eight-TD campaign throughout his lengthy NFL career.

Parkinson is a name to watch closely in camp. If he can fight off Higbee and Ferguson for the No. 1 job, he has top-10 upside in his range of outcomes.

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

CLICK HERE, ENTER ROTOBALLER.COM, THEN CHECK THE BOX

More Fantasy Football Analysis