With training camps getting underway, I'm going through the four cornerstones of fantasy football -- quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end -- and providing tiered rankings for each position heading into the 2025 NFL season. It's an easy and efficient way to organize draft thoughts. Savvy? Let's take a look at today's subject matter: TEs.
Tier 1
- Brock Bowers will be the Raiders' leading pass catcher once again. In his transcendent rookie campaign, Bowers finished in the top 10 among tight ends in fantasy points in 11 different weeks.
- Despite hauling in the fourth-most catches in the entire league last season with 111, Trey McBride notched just two receiving touchdowns. He is poised to regress to the mean in the TD department.
- Some appear to be a little hesitant about George Kittle, but I don't know why. With all the injuries and uncertainty among 49ers pass catchers, George could end up being the TE1 this season.
Tier 2
- The Broncos scored when they got Evan Engram this offseason. He's going to be huge in Sean Payton's offense.
- Sam LaPorta should still be targeted heavily in Detroit's offense, despite the defections from the Lions' coaching staff.
- Travis Kelce is no longer an elite-level player, but he's still a top-10 fantasy TE.
- Everyone is sleeping on David Njoku this year. He averaged 13.5 fantasy points per game last season.
Tier 3
- Tucker Kraft and Dalton Kincaid are two guys that you are hoping will reach their full potential. Especially Kincaid, whom I am drafting all over the place.
- Tyler Warren has the quickest pathway to points of the rookie tight ends.
- Jonnu Smith enjoyed a great season in 2024 -- and this ranking feels like potential point chasing. That said, I do have hope that he can create something with Aaron Rodgers.
Tier 4
- I really do hope that pushing Kyle Pitts down to Tier 4 will keep him off my roster ... but I know better than that. It's habitual at this point. I can't stop because the potential is so great. As I talked about in the WR tiers, though, Michael Penix Jr. appears to have the most chemistry with Drake London.
- The Bears' tight ends have too much competition for targets. Colston Loveland feels like a great pick in dynasty leagues, but I'm probably not going in during redrafts.
