After covering my QB, RB, and WR fantasy rankings for the last three weeks, putting the league’s TE position into tiers feels anti-climactic. Let’s face it, there are a lot of talented TEs in the league. But we have a lot of, well, dumb offensive coordinators who don’t feature them the way they should.
Because of this league-wide epidemic, fantasy football managers are left hoping and wishing the tight ends they like will actually see enough targets to fill out their fantasy football roster.
Thankfully, there are a few smart head coaches who see the value in a talented TE. And those TEs will be properly ranked in 2025.
With that, below are my TE tiers heading into the 2025 fantasy football season. A reminder that these tiers aren’t based on talent and skill, but rather production, scheme, and where they rank after doing my projections. So let’s see how the dominoes fall.
Don’t miss the rest of my Rankings Tier Articles: QBs here! | RBs here! | WRs here!
TE Tiers – 2025 Fantasy TE Rankings
Tier 1
The young bucks that earn elite target shares. Just imagine if these guys could score TDs on a regular basis.
Bowers lit the league on fire in his rookie season. He led all TEs in targets (6th in the league), receptions (3rd in the league), and receiving yards. He set records. And now he gets an upgrade at QB, one who is 3rd in the NFL in completion percentage over the last three seasons.
For all the great that Brock Bowers did in 2024, Trey McBride was right behind him, finishing as the TE2. He was runner-up to Bowers in targets, receptions, and yards. Even with an expected jump in production for last year’s first-round pick, WR Marvin Harrison Jr, there’s little reason to think McBride will face any kind of setbacks.
These are the only two TEs worthy of a pick within the first two rounds of your fantasy football drafts. The only reason to take a TE early is due to positional advantage, and these two have separated themselves from the pack.
Tier 2
It’s the old guard that isn’t quite dead yet. And I know many of you might be surprised to see Travis Kelce this high, given how inconsistent he was in 2024.
Kelce still had over 90 catches, 800 yards, and finished as the TE5. So is it really that surprising he’s in my top 4? The return of Rashee Rice and the emergence of Xavier Worthy are only going to make Kelce’s job easier. An uptick in TDs should give him a bit more consistency.
I swear, I feel like I always under-project George Kittle. He’s had only two seasons over 100 targets, not once in the last five seasons. He’s not a “focal point” in the 49ers’ passing attack, which typically centers around the top two WRs and the RB. But he’s topped 1,000 yards the last two seasons and has always been highly efficient. But with uncertainty at WR and Christian McCaffrey coming off injury, don’t be surprised if Kittle becomes that focal point, especially after signing a new extension.
These would be the only other TEs I would take before the 6th round. And closer to Round 6 versus Round 3. There’s still a gap between the top 2, but a decent gap ahead of the next tier.
Tier 3
The players in this next tier are all heavily featured in their respective offenses. If you told me any of them jumped up into the top 4, I wouldn’t be surprised. If any of them ended the season outside the top 10, I also wouldn’t be surprised.
Sam LaPorta has proven to be a great TE, but is largely reliant on touchdown production. I expect the Lions offense to take a step back in 2025, so LaPorta is a risky investment, especially when he’s likely the 4th target in the offense.
Tucker Kraft proved last year he’s the best weapon in the Packers’ passing attack. But Matt LaFleur is allergic to featuring one pass catcher too frequently. If Matthew Golden becomes the WR1 the team hopes, Kraft is an excellent 2nd option, which keeps his floor high.
Mark Andrews just keeps doing it. He scored 11 TDs last year, but people will only remember the dropped 2-point conversion in the playoffs. Isaiah Likely is behind him, and this isn’t a high-volume passing offense. Without touchdowns, Andrews isn’t likely a top 8 option.
David Njoku has been a target beacon the last few seasons. And even with Cleveland’s shift back to a more run-heavy focus, Njoku’s target share should be safe. That should keep him elevated in many people’s rankings despite what’s expected to be some of the worst QB play in the league.
Then there’s Jonnu Smith. Last year was his first with over 100 targets. Now, there are trade rumors because he wants a new contract. Will he be as featured in the Dolphins offense if Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle recapture their swagger? He can maintain his TD upside even if he loses targets, and that should be enough to keep him in the top 10. If he’s traded, though…
This is the proverbial “TE dead zone” where you’re almost better off just waiting for the later round guy and/or streaming the position all season. They’re likely to go between Rounds 6-9. Sure, they’ll probably be fine, but you won’t love their production based on where you drafted them. Godspeed, folks.
Tier 4
- Pat Freiermuth
- Kyle Pitts
- T.J. Hockenson
- Colston Loveland
- Evan Engram
- Zach Ertz
These are the fringe top 15 guys. Any of them can finish in the top 8, any of them could flame out and underdeliver.
Freiermuth, Hockenson, and Ertz are all volume guys. None are overly spectacular, but they’re safe options that could spike if volume turns elite. The ultimate “set it and forget it” TEs.
Is this finally the year Kyle Pitts reminds us his rookie year wasn’t a fluke? The Falcons decided to target Ray-Ray McCloud more than Pitts last year – gross – so it’s doubtful. There’s been talk that Pitts could be traded before the season, and he’s heading into a contract year. So all bets are off on what he ultimately provides in 2025.
Colston Loveland was the first rookie TE drafted and landed in a system that turned then-rookie Sam LaPorta into the overall TE1. Loveland is currently recovering from a shoulder injury that could limit how hot of a start he gets off to, not to mention all the competition for targets at Caleb Williams’ disposal.
Then there’s Evan Engram. After being released by the Jaguars as a cap casualty, the Broncos quickly swooped in and signed him to a 2-year deal. Engram is athletic enough to play the “joker” role in Sean Payton’s offense, but said athleticism has been vastly underutilized of late. If he can get back above 10 yards per reception and average over six targets per game, Engram will be a massive value come draft day.
These are my Rounds 9-11 guys. The last group I’d feel moderately okay with if I went into the season with them as my starter. I’m also likely to add a guy super late that I think could break out if they prove to be mid.
Tier 5
- Jake Ferguson
- Tyler Warren
- Dallas Goedert
- Dalton Schultz
These four guys fall victim to their offenses, as any could finish in the top 12 if their respective teams were to feature them more heavily in their offenses.
In terms of talent, one could argue Dallas Goedert and rookie Tyler Warren are top 10 TEs. And if they were the top two targets on their respective teams, they’d be higher on this list. But both are likely the third target and play on teams that are in the bottom third of the league in pass attempts. Injuries to the WRs ahead of them will be what elevates their production.
Jake Ferguson once replaced Dalton Schultz in Dallas, and the Cowboys didn’t skip a beat. They’re similar players and offer the same kind of production. Most expect both the Texans and Cowboys to throw more this year, meaning they should more heavily involve both Ferguson and Schultz. But their best chance at relevancy lies as a streaming option.
Much like Tier 6, this is the group I’m drafting from if I punted the position and plan to stream all season. These are after Round 10 guys for me. And for what it’s worth, Schultz plays the Rams in Week 1, who allowed the 2nd most PPG to TEs last season.
Tier 6
This tier is full of upside based on personnel use. Fant, Henry, and Likely play for teams that will feature heavy 12-personnel systems. That’s good for their potential. Henry is the only one who potentially finishes as a top-two target on his team. He represents the best value in this tier.
Kincaid and Gesicki are in higher pass volume offenses, which increases their streaming potential. Gesicki just needs a Tee Higgins injury to be relevant, while Kincaid just needs to learn how to catch and separate.
Okonkwo, like Henry, has the potential to finish as a top-two target on his team. And with a rookie QB throwing his way, the upside for more consistent volume makes Okonkwo one of my favorite late-round targets in 2025.
These are your rounds 10-13 TEs if you completely punt the position. And you’re likely grabbing two or just going with whoever has the best Week 1 matchup. (For the record, that’s Hunter Henry against the Raiders.)
Tier 7
- Theo Johnson
- Juwan Johnson
- Will Dissly
- Brenton Strange
- Ja’Tavion Sanders
- Mason Taylor
These are all matchup-dependent streaming options. Juwan Johnson and Will Dissly are the veterans in this tier. They’ve told us who they are over the years; it’s up to us to stop trying to hype them up and just accept it.
Brenton Strange is the hot name that people are seemingly propping up because of how he played when Evan Engram was out. Does anyone remember when Ian Thomas went on a nice run for the injured Greg Olsen back in 2018? Those were the days. A new scheme is in town, one that won’t target the TE much unless it’s necessary. (See 2024 Cade Otton when both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were out of the lineup.)
Theo Johnson and Ja’Tavion Sanders both flashed as rookies in 2024. And both suffered injuries that put the kibosh on their seasons. While Johnson sees a QB upgrade to give him a better chance at success, Sanders will have increased competition for targets. Neither is likely to be a top 2 target on their team, and neither offense is likely to hit 600 pass attempts. But both have the talent to give you hope that they can break through and prove worthy, given their cheap price tags.
Mason Taylor is one of the only rookies TEs I’m interested in drafting in 2025. When you look at the state of the Jets’ pass catchers, it’s wide open as to who will be the second target for newly-acquired Justin Fields. If Taylor can grab the starting TE spot, He will easily see 60+ targets and challenge for more. Think 2023 Cole Kmet.
This is the last tier of TEs I would even consider drafting. And by drafting, I mean spending a 14th-round pick on them in hopes they shine and don’t end up on waivers by Week 4.
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Next to kickers, TEs are my least favorite position to deal with. It’s why I love targeting the top guys early so I never have to worry about the position throughout the season. But if you want to maximize your lineups, make sure you’re following along with Ryan Weisse and his Streams of the Week and live the streaming life together this season. (He built the TE2 last year by streaming, so I promise you, you’re in good hands.)
Do you disagree with my 2025 fantasy TE rankings? Feel free to @ me on X/Twitter, Instagram, or Blue Sky and let’s discuss! You can also find more great content from Club Fantasy here!
We just dropped our 2025 Draft Rankings on the site. We will be updating these all summer, so check back often.
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