ESPN’s Mike Clay, a senior writer for fantasy football and the NFL and a member of the FSWA Hall of Fame, has released his 2025 fantasy football rankings for tight ends. These rankings, which power the ESPN Fantasy Football game, exclude rookies due to the uncertainty of their team placements. If you’re interested in rookie rankings, Clay has also profiled the top 80 skill position players in his separate rookie rankings.
This year’s list features a blend of established stars and rising talents, offering a compelling look at the projected fantasy football landscape for the upcoming season. Let’s dive into the top 30 tight ends, according to Clay’s expert analysis.
Brock Bowers of the Las Vegas Raiders leads the pack, coming off a dominant rookie season where he easily led all first-year tight ends in fantasy points. His impressive statistics, including a record-breaking 112 receptions, solidify his elite status. Further improvement is expected with the arrival of Geno Smith as quarterback. Close behind is Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals, who boasts an incredible target share and is projected to lead all tight ends in fantasy points despite past touchdown woes. Veteran George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers maintains his high ranking, consistently performing among the league’s best, while Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions, despite a slight dip in 2024, remains a solid TE1 option in Detroit’s potent offense.
Travis Kelce, a future Hall of Famer, faces a potential decline in his elite status, though he’ll still benefit from the Chiefs’ offense. David Njoku of the Cleveland Browns, despite missing some games, showed impressive performance when active and remains a midrange TE1. T.J. Hockenson’s recovery from injury is key for his return to elite performance, while Mark Andrews’ reliance on touchdowns in 2024 raises questions about his future consistency. Evan Engram’s move to Denver and his potential within Sean Payton’s offensive system makes him a back-end TE1 contender. Jonnu Smith’s career year with the Miami Dolphins makes him a fringe TE1, although a return to previous form is possible.
Dalton Kincaid’s underwhelming 2024 season despite high usage creates a risk factor, while Tucker Kraft’s consistent performance makes him a solid TE2. Dallas Goedert’s potential trade adds uncertainty, and Jake Ferguson seeks a rebound after a disappointing 2024 campaign. Hunter Henry’s career year in terms of receiving yards and catches is still limited by low touchdown scores. Mike Gesicki’s strong finish to 2024 with the Cincinnati Bengals places him in the TE2 range. Cade Otton’s performance fluctuated depending on the health of his teammates, creating concern for his consistency.
Kyle Pitts’ inconsistent performance is a major concern, while Chig Okonkwo shows potential but needs consistent QB play. Pat Freiermuth, despite career highs in receptions and touchdowns, faces increased target competition. Brenton Strange, as the new starting tight end in Jacksonville, faces a big opportunity. Cole Kmet’s erratic season highlights his risk factor. Zach Ertz, despite his success last season, faces increased competition. Dalton Schultz seeks a return to form after a less productive season.
Juwan Johnson’s improved performance is still within the fringe TE2 category. Noah Fant’s lack of production and potential competition make him a questionable draft pick. Tyler Higbee’s recovery from injury and low target priority diminish his chances of fantasy success. Theo Johnson showed a promising increase in workload towards the end of the season, making him a late-round sleeper. Ja’Tavion Sanders’ role is dependent on his teammate’s health, making him a risky late-round pick. Finally, Isaiah Likely’s inconsistent performance behind Mark Andrews makes him a low-priority target.
