The State of the Tight End Position in 2025

The tight end position continues to evolve in the modern NFL, with a growing divide between elite playmakers and role players. Our 2025 rankings reflect this stratification while accounting for offseason moves, scheme changes, and emerging talents. These rankings exclude rookies due to landing spot uncertainty.

Elite Tier: The Cream of the Crop

1. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Coming off a historic rookie campaign (262.7 fantasy points), Bowers rewrote the record books with 112 receptions - most ever by a rookie TE. Despite limited red zone work (5 TDs), his route participation (91%) and target share (23%) confirm elite status. With Geno Smith now at QB, expect even greater production.

2. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Since becoming the starter in Week 8 2023, McBride commands a staggering 28.4% target share. His 2024 production (15.4 PPG) was hampered by TD variance - his TE-high 7.9 expected TDs suggest positive regression is coming. The clear focal point of Arizona's passing attack.

3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
The model of consistency with six straight top-6 finishes in fantasy PPG. Kittle led all TEs in efficiency metrics (YPRR, YPT) again in 2024. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk injured, his target upside has never been higher entering his ninth season.

The Established Veterans

4. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
After a sophomore slump (8th in TE points), LaPorta showed late-season resurgence (13.6 PPG final 11 games). In Detroit's elite offense, expect a bounce-back to rookie-year production levels (86-889-10).

5. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Though declining (career-lows in YPT and RAC), Kelce remains productive thanks to Patrick Mahomes. More mid-TE1 than elite now, but still safe weekly starter in Andy Reid's system.

Rising Stars and Bounce-Back Candidates

6-10:

• David Njoku (CLE): Elite usage when healthy (top-5 in end zone targets)
• T.J. Hockenson (MIN): Primed for rebound from ACL recovery with McCarthy at QB
• Mark Andrews (BAL): TD-dependent but remains Lamar Jackson's security blanket
• Evan Engram (DEN): Upside in Sean Payton's TE-friendly system
• Jonnu Smith (MIA): Riding late-season breakout (18.6 PPG Weeks 11-18)

The Wild Cards

11. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
High draft capital and Josh Allen's arm suggests untapped potential despite disappointing 2024. His 5.8 targets/game provide floor, but needs efficiency jump.

12. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Led all TEs in YPRR again (2.23). More volume could catapult him into weekly starter territory.

13. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Trade candidate who's been top-12 PPG for six straight years when healthy. Landing spot will determine 2025 value.

The Middle Class

14-20:

• Jake Ferguson (DAL): Prescott's return should help after TD-less 2024
• Hunter Henry (NE): Solid TE2 but crowded WR room lowers ceiling
• Mike Gesicki (CIN): Flashed late with Burrow; intriguing upside
• Cade Otton (TB): Volume-dependent but showed TE1 upside when Evans was out
• Kyle Pitts (ATL): Former top-5 pick still has breakout potential at just 24
• Chig Okonkwo (TEN): Late-season surge (28 targets Weeks 15-17) shows promise
• Pat Freiermuth (PIT): Solid but unspectacular; TD regression looming

Deep League Considerations

21-30:

• Brenton Strange (JAX): Will get first crack at Engram's vacated targets
• Cole Kmet (CHI): Needs Williams to rediscover 2023 form
• Zach Ertz (WAS): Veteran savvy but age a concern
• Dalton Schultz (HOU): Stuck in committee situation
• Juwan Johnson (NO): Career year in 2024 but capped upside
• Noah Fant (SEA): Athleticism hasn't translated to production
• Tyler Higbee (LAR): Past his prime in crowded offense
• Theo Johnson (NYG): Late-season usage spike bears monitoring
• Ja'Tavion Sanders (CAR): Second-year jump possible
• Isaiah Likely (BAL): Stuck behind Andrews in pecking order

Fantasy Draft Strategy

The tight end position remains top-heavy in 2025. Elite options like Bowers, McBride and Kittle warrant early-round selections, while the middle tier presents several high-upside targets in rounds 6-10. Waiters can find viable streaming options late, though consistency will be scarce.

For dynasty managers, young talents like Bowers (22), McBride (25), and LaPorta (23) should be prioritized, while veterans like Kelce (35) and Kittle (31) are better suited for win-now rosters.