Talking Tight Ends
Here's a visual breakdown of what we discussed on today's podcast. For the most up-to-date ADP data, try the new Football Guys ADP page. It's excellent.
These rankings are designed for the most typical league format. 12 teams with .5 PPR scoring and deep rosters. I get a bit deeper into my thought process on the podcast so be sure, so check that out.
Here's how I am targeting tight ends in 2026. There is plenty of tight end depth, so you can certainly opt for a patient approach, just don't be too patient, and keep a watchful eye on supply as you move through your drafts.
Tier One
Ideally, one of these options drops to a place where I can draft them. I'm willing to target both Brock Bowers and Trey McBride late in the second—when things don't go my way with the backs and receivers. I'm even more willing when one of them makes it around the 2/3 turn. Despite the aggressive ranking, I prefer to wait a bit more on Colston Loveland, and try to get him a little bit before his ADP—that would be in the area of the 3/4 turn. If he gets to me later than that, I'm really loving life. I pivot hard to Ty Warren if I get shut out of the top 3. As with Loveland, I'll go a bit early to get Warren. While I am looking to get one of these top tier options, and I'm generally aggressive, you can certainly push the envelope and try to get one to fall to you at a big value, especially if you know your league tends to fade the position.
Tier Two
Call this the compelling ceiling tier. Tucker Kraft would be above this group—perhaps in his own tier, if he wasn't coming off an ACL injury. All signs seem positive so far, but a slow start has to at least be considered in his range of outcomes. I love his fit and chemistry with Jordan Love. Kyle Pitts would be higher if I trusted his QB situation more. He looked a lot more like his true self last year, and he's healthy as we speak. He also looks like the 2nd option on his own team, which is nice. Harold Fannin is a young highly explosive talent, and he has some ceiling to him. My concern and the reason I want him to fall to me, is the Browns and all the badness that situation entails. Making matters worse, he'll now have to fight harder for manufactured touches due to KC Concepcion. I love Fannin, but I'm not willing to lean in aggressively to get him in redraft. Sam LaPorta is another long time Rotobahn favorite. As with Fannin, I see some concerns (back surgery), but I love the talent, Detroit's offense and his schedule. If Sam was coming off of a healthy season, he'd be ranked higher.
Tier Three
If I'm still looking for a tight end later on in a draft, this is the tier I want to attack. I'm willing if not excited to start most of these guys and I definitely like them in this order. George Kittle is faded a bit because he's coming off of a major injury at 32 years old, and he's always risky health-wise. Still, he's a potential stud, so I'll assume some risk if he falls to me. As we've discussed on the pod, Travis Kelce feels undervalued to me based on last year's film. I feel like he could have a hot start. Kenneth Walker's presence will help him get some better looks, and that includes red zone looks. Dalton Kincaid would be a big target for me if I trusted his knee situation. His per snap production was excellent. Can he play more snaps? I'm honestly not sure. If he does, he'll probably be a top six guy. Isaiah Likely feels safe in terms of floor but he'll really need to be awesome to breakout bigly. He's likely to be in a big slot role which can limit snaps. That said, he might be their top weapon in the red zone, so your ranking of Likely should fall somewhat in line with how much you like the Giants offense overall. Juwan Johnson is a riser in my rankings due to Jordyn Tyson's injury. He should be a steady source of points for at least half the season. He fits well with an upside pick later on, like a Kenyon Sadiq or Terrance Ferguson.
Tier Four
A tier of two Fergusons, and neither one of them is Turd Ferguson. Terrance Ferguson is a pure swing at ceiling. He looks like the Rams 3rd receiver right now, but the ultra deep collection of Rams tight ends is of some concern. Still, this is an offense we want access to, and Terrance is an inexpensive way to do just that. Chig Okonkwo is also a ceiling swing. His game fits well with Jayden Daniels but I have pulled him down a smidge with the arrival of Stef Diggs. Jake Ferguson is solid but the emergence of all the receivers in Dallas limits him a bit, particularly in terms of his depth of target. He'd be more valuable if a top 3 Dallas wide receiver went down. Still, he is playable on a weekly basis. Mark Andrews is fine and it's hard for me to rank him any lower than this. I have some mild concerns that rookie Matthew Hibner eats into his role and or that Andrews hits the age cliff. Hunter Henry isn't going to expand his game at this point in his career, but he's got Drake Maye's trust and should maintain what he did in 2025. I'm interested in TJ Hockenson because he is good at football and his route tree may fit well with what Kyler throws best. Brenton Strange is healthy again and should be the lead man for the Jaguars. They really like him in Jacksonville, and Trevor Lawrence looks for him.
Tier Five
The final frontier of the start-able tight end tiers. Actually, I prefer not taking a starter this late in my ranks. Kenyon Sadiq is best when paired with a safer option who lacks ceiling. The Jets are saying that he'll be worked in early on. Dallas Goedert is 31 now and there are a lot of solid receivers in Philly. Targets could be less consolidated. That said, he's still the lead tight end and I doubt Eli Stowers will eat into his role at all. AJ Barner has impressed me and Darnold seems to like him. Not a bad toe hold if you need one. Dalton Schultz is back on the radar with the injury to Jayden Higgins. Another toe hold type if you need one. Hopefully you don't!
