Fantasy football 2025 dynasty tight end rankings, from Brock Bowers to Grant Calcaterra

New York Times

11-07-2025

In recent weeks, I reviewed my positional rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers. Now I turn my attention to the final group, tight ends!
The added tiers will help further segment my TE rankings, which is valuable during start-up drafts when determining positional depth as a draft unfolds. For reference, you can find all my rankings now on FantasyPros.
Advertisement
I have a different strategy than most analysts regarding tight ends — I fade the position with great zeal and energy, preferring to allow other managers to address the players long before I would. In short, outside of the top four to five top names, the rest simply don't measure up when it comes to positional advantage or scoring disparity. Even in most tight end premium (TEP) formats, I've found the position isn't a difference-maker.
Historically, top-producing tight ends usually fall outside the NFL Draft's first round. It's much easier to find producers later in drafts or, as I've done many times, simply off the waiver wire when a player rises from anonymity. Every season, there's at least a name or two who produce in the top 10 despite being on the fringe of the dynasty radar going into the season. That said, in recent years, Round 1 tight ends are starting to produce at a better rate.
This is the smallest my first tier of tight ends has been in over a decade, due to a combination of age and injury. While there is a clear separation between my first and second tiers, the Tier-2 tight ends are not necessarily significantly lower in potential. In most years, my first and second tiers will possess upwards of eight players, with the first tier usually containing four to five names.
No awards to be had here. All three of these names are obvious targets should they fall below ADP in start-up drafts. Most analysts will have Trey McBride above Sam LaPorta in rankings, and I can get behind that. While I prefer LaPorta's profile and system, McBride is very close in value. Should McBride deliver a satisfying encore to his smash 2024 campaign, he may well be my TE2. What Brock Bowers did as a rookie in 2024 was incredible. I don't expect a repeat performance, but he's worthy of headlining this list.
My second tier may be longer than most because Mark Andrews and David Njoku are near-elite producers. I see similar production in 2025, and I suspect this tier will look very different a year from now.
Most upside: T.J. Hockenson, MIN
Most value: David Njoku, CLE
Most risk: Tyler Warren, IND
If not for injury, Hockenson would be in Tier 1. I expect a full year of production now that he's recovered from his ACL/MCL tear and, without a setback, he's primed for a monster season with sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy under center.
Advertisement
George Kittle will be 32 years old in October, and I must downgrade him due to a combination of age and offensive change. However, I won't be shocked if he leads the team in targets in 2025.
There's no questioning Warren's talent, but talent may not matter in the Colts' system or, more importantly, due to the quarterback situation. Warren can be a difference-maker, but his attached risk is significant as a rookie.
Mark Andrews is likely playing his last season in Baltimore, and Njoku is also facing a quarterback challenge. That said, I expect both to produce well for years to come.
I target this group when looking for an ADP gem. The run on the position often leaves me targeting Tier-4 names instead.
Most upside: Evan Engram, DEN
Most value: Travis Kelce, KC
Most risk: Colston Loveland, CHI
Biggest sleeper: Jake Ferguson, LAR
Like Kyle Pitts in 2021, Dalton Kincaid saw an extreme draft premium fade quickly after disappointing production. Now, he may finally be priced well enough to intrigue me.
Kelce had a poor 2024, but I expect the offense to return to form in 2025, providing competitive teams with low-value, high-production potential.
I love Denver's addition of Engram, given Sean Payton's system and the development of Bo Nix. Engram's athleticism should provide at least two years of top production. I'm buying everywhere I can.
Many are high on Loveland, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in Chicago, and I'm not confident the rookie will produce in his early years. I'm much more inclined to target Isaiah Likely. I expect Baltimore to extend his contract as Andrews exits.
I think Ferguson may be 2025's surprise player at the position.
As noted above, it's not uncommon for me to find my starting tight end in this tier. It's all about value for me; in most cases, these names fall into the double-digit rounds in start-up drafts. There's plenty of value in this tier.
Most upside: Theo Johnson, NYG
Most value: Dallas Goedert, PHI
Most risk: Cole Kmet, CHI
Biggest sleeper: Mason Taylor, NYJ
Johnson has a significant opportunity in 2025 and, as long as he remains healthy, the scheme and quarterback play behind Russell Wilson should provide for upside during his second season in the league.
Advertisement
Goedert has been faded into oblivion this past offseason, but he should be a producer for one more season, with high-ceiling potential.
Kmet has shown flashes but hasn't put it all together, primarily due to quarterback play. Now with rookie Loveland in the mix, it will be hard for him to rise without a change in situation.
Sign me up for the upside of Taylor. Truth be told, I'm passing on fellow rookie Loveland and targeting Taylor nearly a round later.
There's too much risk, uncertainty and question marks for me to get behind Pat Freiermuth, Cade Otton and Jonnu Smith.
It's not uncommon to find value from left-for-dead players in this tier. If I get shut out of earlier-selected players, I'll shop the bargain bin, finding names in the trash heap who have upside situations, often with new teams. There are a couple of noteworthy names here.
Most upside: Tyler Conklin, LAC
Most value: Mike Gesicki, CIN
Biggest sleeper: Tyler Conklin, LAC
Best stash: Michael Mayer, LV
For several years, Conklin has been productive and underappreciated. Now he finds himself in a better scheme and quality quarterback situation. He's a fantastic low-cost sleeper target for 2025.
I feel similarly about Gesicki and think he'll be more productive in 2025 than in 2024.
I'm stashing Mayer everywhere I can for his next contract. The Raiders' selection of Brock Bowers stuck a fork in Mayer's near-term potential, but he's still a quality player. I was hopeful Mayer would land in Miami following the trade of Jonnu Smith, but it was not to be. I'll wait it out.
Similar to Tier 5, I'm targeting under-valued production assets and upside developmental prospects here.
Most upside: Terrance Ferguson, LAR
Most value: Juwan Johnson, NO
Biggest sleeper: Terrance Ferguson, LAR
If it seems I'm focused on Ferguson here, you're not wrong. Listen to what Sean McVay said about the second-round rookie, and it's easy to understand he's a pet project with high expectations. McVay is more mercurial than I'd like as a head coach, but should Ferguson be able to see the field as a rookie and get a bump in playing time in Year 2, he has the potential to be one of the next big second-round standouts.
Advertisement
I'm not taking the bait on Darren Waller, though I can understand the hype following Jonnu Smith's departure via trade. I'll let another coach ride that wave.
Johnson is a very good tight end, and while I'd hoped for a better quarterback situation, he should be a beneficiary of Taysom Hill's absence as Hill recovers from a torn ACL that occurred in December.
I also believe Dawson Knox is a 2026 sleeper, as I expect he won't return to Buffalo. His skill set is better than his production, and he's a name to watch in next year's offseason.
If you have questions or comments, drop them below. And please follow me on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.
(Photo of Brock Bowers: Jim Rassol / Imagn Images)