NFL

Tight end has become a loaded marquee position in the NFL. Going into 2026, the league has a special intersection between venerable future Hall of Fame greats and recent first-round draft picks turned rising stars.

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The changing of the guard has happened, as the two most productive receiving tight ends have displaced some familiar aging big names. Three of the tight ends on Sporting News’ latest rankings are going into only their second seasons.

Going beyond special receiving skills and also looking at how important blocking is to the position, here’s a look at the very best going into the regular season:

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NFL tight end rankings 2026

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1. Brock Bowers, Raiders (age: 23)

Bowers (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) has had two big seasons as Las Vegas’ go-to guy, getting the job done with constant quarterback changes. He steps into the ideal offense under Klint Kubiak to have his biggest impact yet as an all-around target for both Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza.

2. Trey McBride, Cardinals (age: 26)

McBride (6-foot-4, 246 pounds) exploded with his 126-catch, 1,239-yard fourth season while also scoring 11 times, a big change given he had only 6 TDs total in his first three years. That cemented him as a short-to-intermediate un-coverable force through the red zone.

3. George Kittle, 49ers (age: 32)

Kittle (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) continues to prove he’s an all-time special athlete at the position with his amazing fast recovery from tearing his Achilles in the playoffs. He remains a premier field-stretcher, taking advantage of great downfield chemistry with Brock Purdy. Kittle also has been a ferocious blocker in the running game.

4. Colston Loveland, Bears (age: 22)

Loveland (6-foot-6, 241 pounds) flexed his big-play receiving ability through the red zone to be the next elite tight end in the second half of last season. He’s in the ideal tight-end passing offense with Ben Johnson and is locked into Caleb Williams with his unique route-running.

5. Sam LaPorta, Lions (age: 25)

LaPorta (6-3, 245 pounds) gets to operate in the offense of new Detroit coordinator Drew Petzing, who called the plays that led to McBride’s massive production over the past two seasons in Arizona. When healthy, he’s a well-rounded tight end with good hands and the potential to dominate shorter routes.

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6. Tucker Kraft, Packers (age: 25)

Kraft (6-foot-5, 259 pounds) is an outstanding field-stretcher with great hands and after-the-catch quickness. He’s recovering well from his November torn ACL to be a significant part of a busier passing game with Jordan Love playing off Christian Watson.

7. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (age: 26)

Kincaid (6-foot-3, 246 pounds) is another special first-round athlete at the position and has improved as a blocker. There are plans for Kincaid to have a more expanded role for Joe Brady to play off having a new deep receiver, D.J. Moore.

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8. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (age: 36)

Kelce (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) is back as a notably married man for what might be his final season. His athleticism and blocking skills have dropped off with age and wear, but he still is a smart route-runner with great hands to get the most of what he has left.

9. Mark Andrews, Ravens (age: 30)

Andrews (6-foot-5, 250 pounds) should rebound from a down receiving year back as the clear No. 1 option at the position in a tight end-friendly offense under Declan Doyle that will rekindle his uncanny connection with Lamar Jackson.

10. Tyler Warren, Colts (age: 24)

Loveland (6-foot-6, 256 pounds) jumped ahead of Warren in terms of star trajectory in the second half of last season, timed with Daniel Jones going down in Indy. Warren will be used all over the field again for Shane Steichen and should see an expanded role no Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce still on the mend at wide receiver.

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11. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons (age: 25)

Pitts (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) has upped his touchdown production to one as a rookie to five in his fifth season. Pitts is coming off his best overall season with 88 catches for 928 yards. Now the question is whether he can stay consistent under Kevin Stefanski in a questionable QB environement.

12. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (age: 22)

Fannin (6-foot-4, 241 pounds) was integral to some of Shedeur Sanders’ best passing in the rookie season for both. The athletic Bowling Green product was great in the short area right away with 72 catches for 731 yards but can be tapped more downfield in the new Todd Monken offense.

13. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (age: 25)

Strange (6-foot-4, 253 pounds) enjoyed a mini breakout as a receiver last season and didn’t get enough credit for his stout blocking. He’s blossoming as a can’t-do-without option for Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville’s rushing attack.

14. Isaiah Likely, Giants (age: 26)

Likely (6-foot-4, 241 pounds) still delivered as a blocker during his last season in Baltimore but disappointed given his athleticism for the passing game. He should perform better benefiting from the Matt Nagy offense working with young Jaxson Dart as a No. 1.

15. A.J. Barner, Seahawks (age: 24)

Barner (6-foot-6, 251 pounds) was essential to Seattle’s Super Bowl 60-winning offensive run with his strong natural blocking for his frame and also came through as a receiver when needed through the red zone. He merits an expanded role in Year 3.

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