Power Ranking the Tight End Rooms in the NFC West
Which teams in the NFC West have the best group of tight ends? We ranked them from best to worst.
The NFC West's tight end rooms have become a topic of interest as the preseason kicks off. The Rams have a robust group of pass-catchers in George Kittle, Trey McBride, Alex Klemmer, A.J. Higbee, and Steve Parkinson, but none stand out as the clear best. Parkinson leads the group with 43 catches, 408 yards, and eight touchdowns last year, expected to be relied upon heavily in 2026.
Backup options Higbee and Allen also show promise. Rookie Klare, who had 43 receptions, 448 yards, and two touchdowns at Ohio State, could be a surprise wildcard.
San Francisco's tight end room features a solid TE2 in Brian Tonges, who put up impressive numbers last year despite being Kittle's replacement. If Kittle misses time next year, Tonges offers a dependable option. Kyle Palmer, ranked as the top tight end in the NFL, boasts two consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 1,100 yards last year and 11 touchdowns. Depending on Jacoby Brissett's passing, he shouldn't see a significant drop in production.
Arizona Cardinals' tight end room features two standout players: Cooper Kupp, the 6-foot-6 Barner, and Brandon Arroyo. Kupp has consistently been a top-tier receiver in the league. Barner had a breakout rookie season in 2024, accumulating 52 catches, 519 yards, and six touchdowns. Arroyo's first-year production was solid as a second-round pick, with 15 catches, 179 yards, and a touchdown. Moving forward, Arroyo can expect a larger share of targets from Sam Darnold.
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