Fantasy football rankings: Top 45 TEs for 2026

The 2026 fantasy football season promises to be a challenging one for top-end tight ends. George Kittle, Tucker Kraft, and Brock Bowers all struggled with injury issues last year, leaving Tre McBride to fill in and set the NFL record for receptions in a season with 126 catches. It appears that all three of those injured stars may be available for Week 1, making for an intriguing start.

Last season saw the emergence of three rookie tight ends, Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and Harold Fannin Jr., who all performed well and are likely to continue their strong rookie campaigns. In a twelve-team league starting one tight end, these rookies could be among the top choices, adding depth to a somewhat shallow pool of fantasy-worthy tight ends.

With so many potential starter options, there's no need to waste early draft picks on proven studs. Instead, teams can wait to draft a TE starter until a compelling candidate emerges. This allows more flexibility in the draft and reduces the risk of making a high-impact mistake.

While injuries to stars like Kittle, Kraft, and Bowers make the tight end position uncertain, there are still some intriguing late-round options to consider. The Rams' Terrance Ferguson is one such possibility. Although the Rams have multiple tight ends, Ferguson's ability to stretch the field could make him a valuable weapon if given a chance.

However, with the Rams fielding a deep receiving corps, it's unclear if he will receive consistent opportunities. For fantasy managers willing to take a chance, Ferguson could be worth a late-round pick or a trade-up to secure his services.