NFL Tight End Power Rankings: All 32 Starters For 2025 (Post-NFL Draft)

NFL Tight End Power Rankings: All 32 Starters (Post-NFL Draft)

The importance of the tight end position continues to grow with each passing year, as these athletically gifted players have evolved into an integral part of NFL passing attacks. Read ahead for our rankings of 2025’s projected starting tight ends for every NFL team…

32. Tommy Tremble - Carolina Panthers

Tommy Tremble is only 24-years-old, but he is already entering Year 4. He has never cleared 194 receiving yards in a season despite his role as a potential pass-catching tight end. The Panthers’ offense simply does not run through the position despite Tremble’s solid athletic profile.

31. Theo Johnson - New York Giants

Theo Johnson is a solid player but he has not yet demonstrated much upside. Granted, he has been playing in a Giants offense that does not provide a lot of opportunities to shine. As he enters Year 2 in the league, perhaps he will take a step forward.

30. Brenton Strange - Jacksonville Jaguars

Brenton Strange has a real chance to break out in his upcoming third NFL season. He has been stuck behind Evan Engram for the past two years, but Engram joined the Denver Broncos in the offseason. Strange has a chance to climb this list throughout the season if he can prove reliable.

29. Will Dissly - Los Angeles Chargers

Will Dissly is an old reliable tight end. Dating back to his days in Seattle, Dissly has been a solid blocker and pass catcher. He has never put up gaudy numbers, but he is a great player to have on the roster because he always does the right thing.

28. Chig Okonkwo - Tennessee Titans

Chig Okonkwo is an athletic freak with a chance to shine in a Titans offense that should take a step forward this season. Okonkwo was finally peppered with targets down the stretch of the 2024 season and displayed the ability that everyone knew was already there.

27. Mason Taylor - New York Jets

Mason Taylor was drafted by the Jets in April’s draft and should become an immediate go-to target for new Jets quarterback Justin Fields. Taylor does not blow you away with talent, but he projects to be a solid producer in an offense that has been devoid of consistent solid play for many years.

26. Noah Fant - Seattle Seahawks

Noah Fant is an athletic tight end who never quite lived up to his first-round draft capital. He had a couple of solid seasons in Denver to start his career, but his production has declined in each of his seasons in Seattle. His job is certainly at risk of being stolen by rookie Elijah Arroyo this season.

25. Juwan Johnson - New Orleans Saints

Juwan Johnson is a solid, yet inconsistent tight end. He is quite athletic which aids in his receiving ability, but he has never produced high-end numbers for an extended period of time. Perhaps new Saints head coach Kellen Moore can get the most out of Johnson after having success with tight ends in Philadelphia and Dallas.

24. Hunter Henry - New England Patriots

Hunter Henry continues to be a quarterbacks best friend. At 6-foot-5 and 249 lbs, Henry is a massive target who can come down with a lot of passes in the end zone. The Patriots should count their blessings that they have a target like Henry for young quarterback Drake Maye.

23. Dalton Schultz - Houston Texans

Dalton Schultz has played well in a Texans’ offense that needs a reliable pass catcher in the short area of the field. He is a great red zone target and seems to have a solid rapport with quarterback C.J. Stroud.

22. Colston Loveland - Chicago Bears

Colston Loveland was recently drafted by the Bears in the first-round of the NFL Draft. Loveland is highly talented and would likely be ranked higher on this list if there weren’t four other solid receiving options in this offense. However, Loveland could emerge as a star among them based on his talent alone.

21. Cade Otton - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton had a career year in 2024. He was on pace for a massive season until he was phased out of the offense halfway through the season. There is still no good indication as to why that happened. With so many other mouths to feed in the Bucs’ offense, Otton may continue to be left behind.

20. Tyler Higbee - Los Angeles Rams

Tyler Higbee has been a solid tight end for many years but that run may come to an end soon. The Rams drafted Terrance Ferguson in Round 2 of April’s draft and he could threaten Higbee’s job almost immediately. Still, head coach Sean McVay and quarterback Matthew Stafford love Higbee so perhaps he still has another year or two of high-end relevance.

19. Dalton Kincaid - Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid was a first-round pick two seasons ago and was touted as a major offensive weapon for quarterback Josh Allen. Unfortunately, he has not quite unlocked his potential and has been stuck in mediocrity. A knee injury derailed his second season so perhaps he can get back on track in Year 3.

18. Tucker Kraft - Green Bay Packers

Tucker Kraft turned in a solid sophomore season in 2024. He was a touchdown machine on his way to seven scores and he displayed decent big-play potential. He should continue his exploits in Year 3 having earned the trust of quarterback Jordan Love.

17. Tyler Warren - Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren was the No. 1 ranked tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft but he was selected as the No. 2. Now that he has landed with the Colts, he has a chance to be a major contributor this season. The Colts do not have an established tight end or an elite wide receiver, leaving a path open for Warren to succeed.

16. Kyle Pitts - Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts was considered a generational talent when he entered the league four years ago. However, after a 1,000-yard rookie season, injuries and poor quarterback play have held him back. He seemed to be getting back on track in 2024 and he may have a chance to take a leap forward with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. this season.

15. Jake Ferguson - Dallas Cowboys

Jake Ferguson has been Mr. Reliable for quarterback Dak Prescott over the last couple of seasons. The Cowboys have a history of deploying solid tight ends and Ferguson has been no less than such as a starter.

14. Mike Gesicki - Cincinnati Bengals

As the king of the cringey griddy, Mike Gesicki has become a fun player to watch score touchdowns. He meshed very well in the Bengals’ offense in 2024 due to his athleticism and great hands. That should continue in 2025.

13. Zach Ertz - Washington Commanders

After joining the Washington Commanders as a veteran in 2024, Zach Ertz reignited his career for the third time. He seems to thrive when everyone counts him out and he became a go-to target for quarterback Jayden Daniels. That should continue into 2025 despite Ertz entering his age-35 season.

12. Pat Freiermuth - Pittsburgh Steelers

Pat Freiermuth is a fan favorite of the Steelers as a true do-it-all tight end. He is tough in taking hits across the middle and is always in the right spot. “The Muth” may not record massive statistics, but he is a player that many teams would love to have on their roster.

11. Mark Andrews - Baltimore Ravens

Mark Andrews is certainly in decline but he is still one of the better tight ends in the league. He thrives in the red zone despite his dropped touchdown in the AFC Divisional Round this season. Andrews’ clock may be ticking, but expect at least one more solid season from him.

10. Evan Engram - Denver Broncos

Evan Engram is headed to head coach Sean Payton as his new “Joker.” That particular role has been very productive in Sean Payton’s offenses over the years. Engram is a reception king who should have a great chance to continue to succeed in his new home.

9. Dallas Goedert - Philadelphia Eagles

Dallas Goedert continues to be a menacing force for the Eagles’ offense. Goedert’s ability to run through defenders and create plays has made quarterback Jalen Hurts‘ life easy. Despite a contract dispute this offseason, Goedert will run it back with the Eagles in an attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions.

8. Jonnu Smith - Miami Dolphins

It is rare that you see a player breakout in Year 8 in the NFL but that is exactly what happened for Smith in his first season with the Dolphins in 2024. Smith was the ultimate weapon as an athletic and speedy tight end in Mike McDaniel’s offense. That role should remain unchanged in 2025.

7. David Njoku - Cleveland Browns

Finally, a top 10 a ranking for the Browns. David Njoku is another later-career breakout tight end. He has been nothing short of sensational over the last couple of years as a massive and extremely athletic target. He is a bright spot in an otherwise dim Browns offense.

6. T.J. Hockenson - Minnesota Vikings

T.J. Hockenson is one of the toughest players in the NFL and he truly looks like a Viking. Hockenson’s acrobatic catches seem to always put him in harm’s way. Still, he comes down with many balls that most players simply are unable to. He should be a great target for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

5. Travis Kelce - Kansas City Chiefs

Travis Kelce may not be the player he once was but he is still one of the best tight ends in the NFL. Kelce is likely going to go down as the greatest tight end in the history of the league when his career is over. For now, we should continue to appreciate his greatness on a year-to-year basis while he is still in the league.

4. Sam LaPorta - Detroit Lions

Sam LaPorta has emerged as a great tight end in a great Lions’ offense over the last two seasons.. He took the league by storm as a rookie by showing up the position as a receiver. He is also a solid blocker and embodies what it means to be a Dan Campbell Lion.

3. Trey McBride - Arizona Cardinals

Trey McBride has emerged as perhaps the Cardinals’ No. 1 receiving option. After a 1,000-yard season in 2024, the sky seems to be the limit for McBride. He has a chance to go on a historic run as a tight end similar to Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews.

2. Brock Bowers - Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers entered the NFL with a bang by setting the rookie record for receptions with 112 in 2024. This guy is an unbelievable receiver with incredible hands and a knack for getting open. It will not be long before he occupies the No. 1 spot on this list.

1. George Kittle - San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle is everyone’s favorite all-around tight end. He is a high-end receiver and he is probably the best blocker at the position. What is more, Kittle loves blocking. He takes immense pride in it as a core piece of his job. Kittle may be 31-years-old, but he still has a few more years left in the tank.