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Joe Nicely dives into NFL tight end unit grades for RotoBaller. Analysis, review, and outlooks for every NFL team's TE depth charts ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
2025 NFL Tight End Report Card: Grades for Every Team's TE Group
The tight end position continues to evolve, as the new generation of athletic TEs are more involved as pass catcher than ever before – while the best in the NFL can both reel in targets and excel as blockers. As we move closer to NFL training camps, we’ll take a look at every team’s current tight end depth chart and offer grades ahead of the 2025 season.
Arizona Cardinals
Notable TEs on Roster: Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, Elijah Higgins
This Arizona unit revolves around rising superstar Trey McBride, a player that’s improved almost exponentially every year he’s been in the NFL. McBride’s 2024 was his best yet, as he finished the season ranked second among all tight ends in both receptions (111) & receiving yards (1,146). The 25-year-old has a clear runway to be one of the best TEs in the league for years to come.
Grade: A
Atlanta Falcons
Notable TEs on Roster: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner, Teagan Quitoriano
Everyone seems to agree that Kyle Pitts is a unique talent, however, the production simply hasn’t been there since he topped 1,000 receiving yards in his 2021 rookie campaign. As he heads into his fifth NFL season, there are as many questions as answers still surrounding the former fourth-overall pick. Behind Pitts – who is currently dealing with a foot injury – Atlanta’s depth chart is noticeably thin.
Grade: C
Baltimore Ravens
Notable TEs on Roster: Mark Andrew, Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar
The Ravens possess one of the most potent TE duos in the NFL in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. The split in snaps was almost even between the two last year. The 25-year-old Likely is clearly an ascending talent, while the almost-30 Andrews appears to be on the downswing of a sterling career – though he remains one of the league’s biggest TE threats when healthy. With both players entering the final year of their contracts in 2025, this could be the last season we see them together in Baltimore.
Grade: A
Buffalo Bills
Notable TEs on Roster: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes
Former first-round pick Dalton Kincaid’s production actually regressed in his second NFL season, as he missed multiple games due to injury. Even when in the lineup, Kincaid has yet to feel like the game-breaker Buffalo was hoping for when they selected him with the 25th overall pick of the draft two years ago. Knox serves as the team’s reliable veteran. A rock-solid blocker who is capable of making big plays in big moments, he’s a steady team leader.
Grade: B-
Carolina Panthers
Notable TEs on Roster: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans
Carolina’s overall production from the tight end position was near the bottom of the league in 2024. Ja’Tavion Sanders hauled in 33 catches for 342 yards in a rather quiet rookie campaign, and he’ll once again figure to share duties with Tommy Tremble. The Panthers selected tight end Mitchell Evans in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and the Notre Dame product will look to work his way into the mix for Carolina.
Grade: D+
Chicago Bears
Notable TEs on Roster: Cole Kmet, Colston Loveland, Durham Smythe
Incumbent starter Kmet had a great 2023, but regressed last year in Caleb Williams’ rookie season. Chicago selected Michigan TE Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick of this year’s draft, and he’ll likely cut into Kmet’s volume significantly with that sort of draft capital invested by the Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson. Still, Chicago now has two talented pass-catchers on their tight end depth chart.
Grade: B+
Cincinnati Bengals
Notable TEs on Roster: Mike Gesicki, Erick All, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson
Gesicki produced strong numbers in his first season in Cincy, totaling 665 yards and two scores on 65 receptions. The 29-year-old should continue to remain productive with Joe Burrow at the helm of one of the NFL’s most explosive passing attacks. The Bengals are high on 2024 fourth-round pick Erick All, a player whose rookie season was cut short due to injury.
Grade: C+
Cleveland Browns
Notable TEs on Roster: David Njoku, Harold Fannin Jr., Jordan Akins
After posting career-bests in receptions (81), receiving yards (882), and TDs (6) in 2023, Njoku’s production nosedived in 2024, as he dealt with injuries and a revolving door of QBs. Although his ’23 battery mate Joe Flacco is now back in the Browns QB fold, there are plenty of question marks under center for Cleveland ahead of 2025. Third-round rookie Harold Fannin Jr. is likely to be deployed alongside Njoku in two-TE sets, while Jordan Akins will also see some reps.
Grade: C+
Dallas Cowboys
Notable TEs on Roster: Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker
Injuries to himself and Dallas QB Dak Prescott derailed what was a promising start to the 2024 campaign for Ferguson. We should expect a bounce-back season in 2025, as Ferguson enters a contract year and continues to work his way up the NFL’s tight end pecking order. Former second-round pick Schoonmaker averaged 8.9 yards per reception in relief of Ferguson last year and has firmly established himself as the TE2 on the depth chart.
Grade: B-
Denver Broncos
Notable TEs on Roster: Evan Engram, Adam Troutman, Nate Adkins, Lucas Krull
Evan Engram certainly qualifies as a splash signing for the Broncos offense and young QB Bo Nix. The often-injured Engram missed multiple games last season, but put forth a brilliant 2023 campaign that included 114 receptions. If he can stay healthy, he could rack up big numbers in Sean Payton’s offense.
Grade: B-
Detroit Lions
Notable TEs on Roster: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Following his star-making rookie campaign in 2023 was always going to be a tall order, and sure enough, Sam LaPorta’s stats regressed in 2024, as Detroit leaned on the running game and spread the ball around more in the air. Despite the statistical fall off, LaPorta can still easily be considered one of the NFL’s elite-tier tight ends. He’ll remain one of the positions most dangerous players in 2025, while Brock Wright is a steady, rock-solid back-up.
Grade: A
Green Bay Packers
Notable TEs on Roster: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Ben Sims
While Luke Musgrave was selected a round higher in the same 2023 draft, it’s been Tucker Kraft who has looked more like the potential superstar. The 2024 season was a true breakout campaign for Kraft, as his production shot up to 707 receiving yards and 7 TDs on 50 receptions. While Musgrave has consistently battled injuries across his two pro seasons, he remains a talented option. These two give Green Bay one of the best dynamic TE duos in the league.
Grade: A-
Houston Texans
Notable TEs on Roster: Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan, Cade Stover
C.J. Stroud and the Houston offense regressed as a whole in 2024, and that extended to the tight end position. While his numbers were slightly down, Schultz still topped 500 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive season, while remaining one of the most sure-handed options in the NFL. Physical freak Brevin Jordan suffered an ACL tear in Week 2, which opened the door for Ohio State rookie Cade Stover to appear in 15 games in his first pro season.
Grade: C+
Indianapolis Colts
Notable TEs on Roster: Tyler Warren, Andrew Ogletree, Mo-Allie Cox, Jelani Woods
The TE position has long been a low impact one for the Colts. However, we should see a serious spike in production with the addition of 2024 Mackey Award winner Tyler Warren via the 14th overall pick of the NFL Draft. Warren is a talented pass-catcher and should only be limited by Indy’s shortcomings at the QB position.
Grade: C+
Jacksonville Jaguars
Notable TEs on Roster: Brenton Strange, Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long
The new-look Jaguars elected to cut ties with Evan Engram in order to see what they have in 2023 second-round pick Brenton Strange. An impressive physical specimen, Strange averaged 10.3 yards per reception in his first extended NFL action in relief of the injured Engram last season.
Grade: D+
Kansas City Chiefs
Notable TEs on Roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jake Briningstool
While it’s obvious that Travis Kelce is a future HOFer and one of the greatest tight ends of all time, it’s also clear that age is catching up to him. The 35-year-old’s stats again regressed in 2024, and he’s now failed to top 1,000 receiving yards in either of the last two seasons after passing that milestone in the previous seven consecutive seasons. If there’s a silver lining for the Chiefs, it’s that Noah Gray recorded career highs in receptions, yards, and TDs in 2024.
Grade: A-
Las Vegas Raiders
Notable TEs on Roster: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas
You can make a pretty strong argument that Brock Bowers was the best tight end in the NFL last year as a rookie. Statistically, he lead the position in receptions and yards, all while being stuck with perhaps the worst QB room in the league. He’ll get an instant upgrade with Geno Smith under center. The Raiders tight end depth is the envy of many around the NFL, as former early second-round pick Michael Mayer sits behind Bowers.
Grade: A+
Los Angeles Chargers
Notable TEs on Roster: Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Oronde Gadsden II
Dissly proved to be a perfect fit for a Jim Harbaugh-coached team in his first season with the Bolts. He logged career highs in receptions and yards. More importantly for this power-based offensive scheme, he’s one of the NFL’s best run-blocking tight ends. The addition of Tyler Conklin is not an insignificant one, as he adds pass-catching depth at the position, and has topped 500 receiving yards in three of his last four campaigns.
Grade: C-
Los Angeles Rams
Notable TEs on Roster: Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Colby Parkinson, Davis Allen
The 32-year-old Higbee has been rock-solid when healthy, though he’s coming off a 2024 campaign in which he appeared in just 3 regular season game due to injury. The Rams selected his long-term replacement in the second round of the NFL Draft with Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson. Parkinson and Allen provide solid support at the back end of L.A.’s depth chart.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins
Notable TEs on Roster: Jonnu Smith, Julian Hill, Pharaoah Brown
Playing for his fourth NFL team in five seasons, Smith put forth a breakout 2024 season, posting career highs in receptions and yards while tying his career best with 8 TDs. There are some contract issues, but he should be suiting up in South Beach again next season. His outlook is tied directly to the health of Tua Tagovailoa. Unfortunately, the ‘Fins depth at the position is non-existent, as former UDFA’s Hill and Brown don’t inspire confidence.
Grade: C
Minnesota Vikings
Notable TEs on Roster: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew
After missing the first eight games of the 2024 season, Hockenson re-established himself as one of the best in the business, averaging a massive 11.1 yards per catch. With Sam Darnold in Seattle and J.J. McCarthy expected to be under center for the Vikes, Hockenson will be forced to build a rapport with yet another new QB. Oliver’s value can easily go overlooked if only reviewing receiving stats, but he’s one of the best run-blocking TEs in the NFL.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots
Notable TEs on Roster: Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, Jaheim Bell
Despite playing on one of the worst offenses in the NFL, Henry logged career-highs with 66 receptions and 674 receiving yards last season. He’ll look to build on his growing rapport with Drake Maye as the Patriots supporting cast has been upgraded this offseason. A steadying, veteran presence, Hooper posted 10.6 yards per reception in 2024.
Grade: B-
New Orleans Saints
Notable TEs on Roster: Taysom Hill, Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau
I guess we’re still calling Taysom Hill a tight end? Hill is football’s version of a Swiss-army-knife, though he’ll look to rebound from an ACL injury that limited him to just eight games in 2024. Johnson racked up career highs in catches and yards last season, though he’ll likely be held back by New Orleans’ limitations at the QB position.
Grade: C
New York Giants
Notable TEs on Roster: Theo Johnson, Daniel Bellinger, Chris Manhertz, Greg Dulcich
Still reeling at the TE position following their huge Darren Waller failure, the Giants will look for a big uptick in improvement from second-year tight end Theo Johnson in 2025. The Penn State product averaged 11.4 yards per reception while battling a foot injury in his rookie campaign. Bellinger has shown brief flashes here and there, but has failed to top 268 receiving yards in any of his three NFL season. He figures to settle behind Johnson on the depth chart.
Grade: F
New York Jets
Notable TEs on Roster: Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt
Lots of new faces for the Jets in 2025 and that extends to the TE room. New York tabbed LSU’s Mason Taylor with the 10th pick of the second round to be the franchise’s tight end of the future. We’ll see how that works out with Justin Fields under center. With Tyler Conklin now in L.A., the lack of overall talent and experience behind Taylor is somewhat jarring.
Grade: D-
Philadelphia Eagles
Notable TEs on Roster: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson, Harrison Bryant
Goedert dealt with injuries, as well as target competition with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in 2024. However, he remains a legitimate difference maker when healthy, and should still be considered one of the NFL’s upper-tier players at the position. Calcaterra didn’t do much in Goedert’s absence last season – averaging 19.9 receiving yards per game – but he’s a reliable backup that the defending Super Bowl champs have confidence in.
Grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers
Notable TEs on Roster: Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, J.J. Galbreath, Donald Parham (IR)
“Muth” had a nice bounce-back season after missing large chunks of time in 2023 with concussion issues. He set a career high with 65 receptions and tied his career best with 7 TDs. Freiermuth’s outlook certainly improves with the recent signing of Aaron Rodgers. While Washington is a bulldozer of a human, he’s yet to find a real role in the Steelers passing game across his first two NFL seasons.
Grade: C
San Francisco 49ers
Notable TEs on Roster: George Kittle, Luke Farrell, Ross Dwelley
With the Niners’ WR corps largely banged up, George Kittle topped 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season in 2024. With his elite combination of blocking prowess and game-breaking receiving skills, Kittle is arguably the best overall tight end in the NFL at the moment.
Grade: A+
Seattle Seahawks
Notable TEs on Roster: Noah Fant, Elijah Arroyo, A.J. Barner
Former first-round pick Fant has been a solid, if unspectacular, producer since landing with the Seahawks as part of the Russell Wilson trade. However, he can expect some serious competition in 2025 from Seattle’s recent second-round pick, Elijah Arroyo. Both Seahawk tight ends will attempt to build a rapport with newly-acquired QB Sam Darnold.
Grade: C-
Tampa Bay Bucs
Notable TEs on Roster: Cade Otton, Payne Durham, Ko Kieft, Devin Culp
With Bucs’ WR Chris Godwin sidelined for much of 2024, Otton logged career highs in receptions, yards, and TDs last season. He’s developed a nice chemistry with Baker Mayfield, though he’s recorded the most drops in the NFL at the TE position across the last two seasons. If Otton can clean up the mistakes, he has the potential to be one of the league’s premier tight ends.
Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
Notable TEs on Roster: Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Gunnar Helm
Many have long believed that Okonkwo has all the tools to be an elite tight end, yet drops have been an issue, and the production has yet to match those expectations. In all fairness, the QB play has been putrid in Tennessee as of late, and Okonkwo will look to develop chemistry with rookie signal caller Cam Ward. Speaking of rookies, the Titans nabbed Texas tight end Gunnar Helm in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft. He could steal some targets from Okonkwo in 2025.
Grade: D+
Washington Commanders
Notable TEs on Roster: Zach Ertz, Ben Sinnott, John Bates
The 34-year-old Ertz delivered a throwback campaign in 2024. Perhaps rejuvenated by the presence of superstar rookie Jayden Daniels under center, Ertz logged his most receiving yards since 2021 and most TD catches since 2018. Many expected athletic second-round rookie Ben Sinnott to overtake Ertz last year, but that was far from the case, as Sinnott logged just 5 catches in his underwhelming rookie season.
Grade: C-
