2026 Fantasy Football Tight End Tiers: Colston Loveland Moves Up to Tier 2

Updated ranks: QB | RB | WR | DEF | K | Top 200 | Rookies | Mock draft

Fantasy football player rankings are useful tools for drafting a championship-caliber team. The next level of player evaluation, however, is what’s called “tiers.” This groups players with similar value to help fantasy managers make round-by-round draft decisions easier.

For example, if you’re looking to get one of the elite tight ends, Tier 1 will tell you who is in the upper echelon and whether your draft position will even allow you to draft one. Tiers also let you know when a level of player value might run out in the next round. Maybe you want a Tier 2 tight end, and it’s your turn to pick in Round 4. If all but one of those players in that tier are already gone, well, you might want to jump on that tier’s final member or risk losing out in an upcoming round.

With that said, here’s a look at my tight end tiers for 2026. I’ll be updating these tiers daily, as needed, to reflect my TE rankings, so keep checking back until Draft Day!

Note: ADP data is from FootballGuys.

2026 Fantasy Football TE Tiers

Tier 1

1. Trey McBride, Cardinals (ADP - 21)
2. Brock Bowers, Raiders (ADP - 19)

Notes: There is no question McBride and Bowers are the two best tight ends in fantasy football. The former is coming off a massive statistical season, so there could be some level of regression, but McBride should still be in the mix as the TE1 once again. Bowers was a bit of a disappointment in Year 2, but he’ll bounce back under new head coach/offensive mind Klint Kubiak. Whoever you decide to draft between the two, you’ll have a big advantage at tight end.

Tier 2

3. Colston Loveland, Bears (ADP - 41)
4. Tyler Warren, Colts (ADP - 59)
5. Tucker Kraft, Packers (ADP - 80)

Notes: Loveland is arguably the biggest breakout candidate in 2026 fantasy football leagues. He was a stud for the Bears down the stretch of his rookie year, and I’m expecting more of the same in 2026.

Meanwhile, Warren was a top-five tight end as a rookie, and he could be even better this season if Daniel Jones is healthy coming off a torn Achilles. Kraft was on pace to be a top-five tight end in 2025, but a knee injury halted his rise to stardom. Still, he easily has Tier 2 value.

Tier 3

6. Harold Fannin Jr, Browns (ADP - 75)
7. George Kittle, 49ers (ADP - 105)
8. Kyle Pitts Sr., Falcons (ADP - 86)
9. Sam LaPorta, Lions (ADP - 87)
10. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (ADP - 107)

Notes: It can be argued that Fannin belongs in Tier 2, but I have him just outside the top five and the leader of Tier 3. Kittle has made a fast return from a torn Achilles and is rising in the rankings. Pitts is coming off the best fantasy season of his career. While I do expect some level of regression, he’s still a cinch top-10 tight end. LaPorta is coming off an injury but will be fine for the start of the season, and Kelce, even at age 36, remains a very startable asset at a thin position.

Kyle Pitts had the most productive season of his five-year career in 2025. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tier 4

11. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (ADP - 114)
12. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (ADP - 118)
13. Isaiah Likely, Giants (ADP - 115)
14. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (ADP - 120)
15. Mark Andrews, Ravens (ADP - 125)

Notes: All five players in this tier will be fantasy starters at some level. With Likely gone, Andrews will be one of Lamar Jackson’s top-two options in the pass attack. Speaking of Likely, he’ll finally have a chance to be a true No. 1 tight end in New York (and in fantasy), as he’s reunited with head coach John Harbaugh. Kincaid has top-10 upside, but injuries have been a concern.

Tier 5

16. Juwan Johnson, Saints (ADP - 143)
16. Chig Okonkwo, Commanders (ADP - 151)
18. Hunter Henry, Patriots (ADP - 148)
19. Dalton Schultz, Texans (ADP - 179)
20. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (ADP - 149)
21. Terrance Ferguson, Rams (ADP - 156)

Notes: This tier is loaded with potential starters in fantasy leagues. Johnson is coming off a top-10 season, making him a viable draft bargain. Okonkwo and Strange are both sleepers, and Schultz was a top-10 performer last season in the Texans' pass attack.

Tier 6

22. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets (ADP - 144)
23. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (ADP - 158)
24. AJ Barner, Seahawks (ADP - 182)
25. Greg Dulcich, Dolphins (ADP - 223)
26. Darren Waller, Panthers (ADP - 249)
27. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (ADP - 184)

Notes: Sadiq's value has slipped as he continues to recover from hernia surgery. Hockenson’s stock has fallen the past two years, but getting Kyler Murray at quarterback could help him rebound. He could become a bargain. Helm and Dulcich have deep sleeper appeal, while Freiermuth, like Hockenson, is a dart throw-worthy veteran in the late rounds.

Tier 7

28. Gunnar Helm, Titans (ADP - 205)
29. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (ADP - 218)
30. Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks (ADP - 322)
31. Evan Engram, Broncos (ADP - 230)
32. Colby Parkinson, Rams (ADP - 242)
33. Charlie Koler, Chargers (ADP - 256)
34. Mason Taylor, Jets (ADP - 299)

Notes: This tier is mostly backups and starters with limited fantasy ceilings. Ferguson is a talented player but is in a crowded Rams tight end room. Stowers has long-term upside but could struggle to make a Year 1 impact behind Goedert. Otton, Engram and Gesicki will be late-rounders at best.

Tier 8

35. Mike Gesicki, Bengals (ADP - 245)
36. Michael Mayer, Raiders (ADP - 306)
37. Oronde Gadsden, Chargers (ADP - 140)
38. Jake Tonges, 49ers (ADP - 230)
39. David Njoku, Chargers (ADP - 186)
40. Theo Johnson, Giants (ADP - 334)

Notes: Most of the tight ends in this tier either won’t be drafted or will go very late, especially in those fantasy football leagues that offer a tight end premium scoring system.

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