This guide highlights the top 12 fantasy tight ends entering the new season, focusing on their potential week-by-week value and their roles within their respective offenses. Note that Brock Bowers is not included this week due to an early-season absence. The rankings are based on anticipated target shares, efficiency, and the offensive systems surrounding each player.
12. Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
Entering his sixth NFL season, Pitts turned in a career year last season with 88 receptions and five touchdowns, both career highs. With a veteran quarterback in place and a fast, short-passing attack, Pitts is poised to benefit from quick reads and high-target opportunities. The Falcons open on the road against Pittsburgh, a matchup that should showcase Pitts’s role as a reliable option in quick-pass concepts. Expect him to be actively involved and to run a variety of routes that suit his yards-after-catch upside.
11. Jake Ferguson – Dallas Cowboys
Ferguson posted a season with a high-volume reception total, delivering 82 catches and eight touchdowns despite some variability in per-catch yardage. As a reliable safety valve for quarterback Dak Prescott, Ferguson’s role figures to remain steady, especially in matchups where the Cowboys lean on the short-to-intermediate game. In Week 1, Dallas travels to face the Giants in a divisional tilt, where Ferguson’s dependable targets could yield consistent catches and a solid yardage floor.
10. Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
With A.J. Brown likely to command a larger share of targets, Goedert can benefit from a higher volume of passes in a more diversified aerial attack. The veteran tight end has shown a knack for securing receptions and red-zone production. The Eagles kick off at home against the Commanders, and Goedert should be a focal point in a potential shootout, particularly in the middle of the field where his reliability and hands can help sustain drives.
9. Harold Fannin – Cleveland Browns
Fannin had a productive rookie campaign, recording 72 receptions on 107 targets with six receiving touchdowns. While questions may linger about quarterback continuity, the tight end position often remains a steady target for a passing game that needs dependable options. In Week 1 against Jacksonville, Fannin will look to leverage volume and yards after the catch to provide a respectable fantasy line.
8. George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
Kittle remains a dynamic and high-usage weapon when healthy. The 49ers open with a marquee matchup against the Rams in an international game that is expected to be high-scoring. After missing significant time last season, Kittle is anticipated to be eased back into the offense, but his target share and ability to produce chunk plays should keep him among the top options at the position. Expect a multi-catch, 50-yard floor with the potential for a big play or two.
7. Dalton Schultz – Houston Texans
This season marks a pivotal opportunity for Schultz and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Schould’s involvement has grown in the past year, with a career-high in targets and receptions. In a ball-control offense, he can serve as a reliable outlet in both the flats and seam routes. Week 1 features a home game against the Bills, a matchup that could feature Houston moving the ball consistently and giving Schultz frequent touches in scoring positions.
6. Trey McBride – Arizona Cardinals
McBride has shown steady improvement and produced back-to-back seasons with substantial receiving yards, including a 1,000-yard campaign and double-digit touchdowns last year. He serves as a primary target in a rebuilding offense and has established a habit of drawing near-10 targets per game. Against the Chargers in Week 1, McBride should continue to see ample opportunities, making him a strong week-to-week option.
5. Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Andrews remains the go-to option for quarterback Lamar Jackson, especially with the offense’s emphasis on efficient, high-percentage targets in the passing game. With Isaiah Likely no longer on the roster, Andrews’s target share is likely to increase. The Week 1 matchup at Indianapolis provides a favorable environment for consistent catches and red-zone opportunities, making Andrews a reliable weekly contributor.
4. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Kelce is the premier playmaker at the position, pairing elite receiving ability with a high-volume target share in the Chiefs’ prolific offense. Returning to full health and with a strong quarterback signaling, Kelce’s involvement in the Week 1 game at home against the Broncos is expected to be substantial. His combination of consistency and scoring upside places him among the top fantasy options at any position.
3. Tyler Warren – Indianapolis Colts
Warren is coming off a breakout rookie season, featuring a substantial receiving workload and a reliable target rate. With a healthy target footprint and a quarterback who can spread the ball effectively, Warren is expected to be a central part of Indy’s aerial attack. Week 1 against the Ravens could showcase Warren’s speed and playmaking ability, making him a high-floor, high-ceiling option.
2. Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions
LaPorta anchors a potent Lions offense and provided a strong season in recent play. After overcoming injury concerns, he enters 2026 healthy and ready to build on last season’s outing, which included a high target volume. Week 1 against the Saints presents a dynamic offensive environment with plenty of scoring opportunities, and LaPorta is positioned to be a primary driver of drives, offering a robust fantasy floor with upside.
1. Colston Loveland – Chicago Bears
Loveland projects to be an integral target for the Bears, especially if wide receiver depth is uncertain in Week 1. With an emphasis on sustaining long drives and increasing offensive efficiency, Loveland is expected to see a significant increase in targets, potentially surpassing 120 for the season and reaching around 80 receptions. In Week 1 against the Panthers, Loveland could deliver a breakout start, leveraging a favorable matchup and his growing chemistry with the offense.
Notes and considerations for the season
– The tight end position tends to be steadier than some skill positions, but injuries and quarterback changes can shift value quickly.
– Week 1 matchups emphasize fast, short passes and red-zone opportunities; tight ends who are reliable targets in the middle of the field often see immediate dividends.
– Monitor team depth charts and offensive schemes throughout the preseason to adjust expectations for late-round picks and sleepers.
– Consider matchup-specific plays, but prioritize players with clear roles and high target floors when building a weekly lineup.
This overview aims to provide a solid starting point for drafting and weekly planning, focusing on talent, opportunity, and the offense surrounding each tight end.
