As the NFL regular season quickly approaches, teams are finalizing their plans to build out a championship roster. Tight ends are continuing to grow in importance, with some of the league’s biggest stars playing the position.
While Travis Kelce is probably the biggest name of the bunch, he doesn’t come in at No. 1 in our latest rankings. It’s time to look ahead to the 2024 season and rank the top tight ends in the NFL.
2024 NFL TE Rankings
1) George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Heading into 2024, George Kittle is the best tight end in the NFL overall. The San Francisco 49ers star offers the best combination of receiving ability, blocking prowess, and toughness that the position requires.
At 30 years old, Kittle caught 65 balls for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns while playing in 16 regular-season games. He also finished with Pro Football Focus’ highest run-blocking grade for tight ends.
2023 STATS: 65 Receptions, 1,020 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 15.7 Yards Per Reception
2) Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
While the team won the ultimate prize, Kelce showed some signs of slowing down in 2023. He finished with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since 2015, but he still is the second-best TE in the game heading into 2024.
Playing in 15 regular-season games, Kelce caught 93 balls for 984 yards and five touchdowns. Heading into the new season, the question isn’t whether Kelce still is a top-two NFL tight end. Rather, it’s fair to wonder whether he’ll slide further down this list a year from now, when he’ll be 35 years old.
2023 STATS: 93 Receptions, 984 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.6 Yards Per Reception
3) Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews’ season was wrecked by an ankle injury, but he was still a force when healthy. In 10 games, the 28-year-old caught 45 balls for 544 yards and six touchdowns while serving as Lamar Jackson’s most trusted target. Andrews is still one of the best in the league at his position.
2023 STATS: 45 Receptions, 544 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.1 Yards Per Reception
4) Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
The Lions opted to invest a high pick on a tight end instead of paying the one they already had on the roster. Considering T.J. Hockenson is now the richest TE in NFL history and decidedly not the best TE in the NFL, the Lions are probably comfortable with their decision. They even got the same model — a brand-new Iowa TE.
LaPorta is a massive part of the Lions offensive attack and should be in line for a massive season in 2024.
PLAYOFF PREDICTOR: Will Your Favorite NFL Team Make the Playoffs?
2023 STATS: 86 Receptions, 899 Receiving Yards, 10 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.3 Yards Per Reception
5) T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson was enjoying a career-best campaign before suffering a torn ACL late in the season. In 15 games, the Iowa product caught 95 balls for 960 yards and five touchdowns. Yes, Hockenson is inconsistent as a blocker, and the knee injury is a concern heading into the new year. However, he still is just 26 years old and is a dynamic talent.
2023 STATS: 95 Receptions, 960 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.1 Yards Per Reception
6) Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert was a draft darling coming out of South Dakota State and has proved to be an excellent all-around tight end. When he’s healthy, Goedert is one of the best receiving tight ends in football, and he’s a very capable blocker as well.
2023 STATS: 59 Receptions, 592 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.0 Yards Per Reception
7) Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride was a breakout star in the second half of 2023. From Week 6 on, the 2022 second-round pick averaged 6.1 receptions and 62.2 yards per game while showing well as a blocker. Don’t be surprised if McBride is considered a top-five tight end in a year from now.
2023 STATS: 81 Receptions, 825 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.2 Yards Per Reception
8) David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
David Njoku was selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, and his first season with over 500 receiving yards was in 2022. It’s been a long adjustment for Njoku, but he has improved as a blocker in the run game and developed into a true receiving threat.
But people should have seen this slow developmental curve coming because he was only 21 years old during his rookie season. Since then, he’s become one of the more consistent blockers at the position.
2023 STATS: 81 Receptions, 882 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.9 Yards Per Reception
9) Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars
The 240-pound “tight end” is a mismatch of a weapon similar to Kyle Pitts. Evan Engram is coming off a very productive 2023 season in which he posted career highs in receptions (114) and receiving yards (963).
Since joining the Jaguars, he has experienced a bit of a career resurgence after an up-and-down five-year stint with the New York Giants.
2023 STATS: 114 Receptions, 963 Receiving Yards, 4 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.4 Yards Per Reception
10) Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
It’s odd that Jake Ferguson tested like an average athlete because his on-field spring is apparent after the catch. Ferguson leapt over defenders a few times in 2022, and he held his own as a run blocker, even though it was clear he needed to get stronger and more technical at the craft.
NFL WORD FUMBLE: Can You Guess the NFL Player?
In 2023, Ferguson was fantastic and developed into one of Dak Prescott’s favorite targets, setting the stage for a big year in 2024.
2023 STATS: 71 Receptions, 761 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.7 Yards Per Reception
11) Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Dalton Kincaid is firmly in the Kelce mold: Receiver first, tight end second. Nevertheless, he’s a young and talented player who racked up 673 yards and two TDs in his first season. The arrow is pointing up as he becomes one of Josh Allen’s most trusted weapons.
2023 STATS: 73 Receptions, 673 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.2 Yards Per Reception
12) Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Pitts has been a disappointment since posting 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie in 2021. He totaled just 356 yards in 2022 and followed it up with 667 yards in 2023. He also has been a total liability as a run blocker.
With all that said, Pitts’ talent is undeniable, and with a breakout season due, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him deliver a quality campaign with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback.
2023 STATS: 53 Receptions, 667 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.6 Yards Per Reception
13) Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Following five solid seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Dalton Schultz joined the Texans in 2023 and posted 59 catches for 635 yards and five TDs. He’s merely an average blocker, but Schultz is one of the more consistent pass-catching tight ends in the league.
2023 STATS: 59 Receptions, 635 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.8 Yards Per Reception
14) Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears
Cole Kmet’s breakout finally arrived in 2023. The 2020 second-round pick finished the season with 73 catches for 719 yards and six touchdowns while serving as one of Justin Fields’ most trusted targets. Now, he’ll be Caleb Williams’ security blanket in an offense that should have much more firepower in the passing game.
2023 STATS: 73 Receptions, 719 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.8 Yards Per Reception
15) Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth is an old-school tight end who is a strong route runner from an in-line position but is athletic enough to cause problems when split out into the slot and out wide. His 6’5″, 260-pound frame hasn’t made him a devastating blocker, but he’s improving and still has a lot of time to go before becoming a finished product.
2023 STATS: 32 Receptions, 308 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 9.6 Yards Per Reception
16) Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Hunter Henry joined the Patriots in 2021 with a checkered injury history. But he put those concerns to bed, appearing in every game over the last three seasons until missing the final three contests in 2023 due to a minor knee issue.
Back with New England on a three-year contract, Henry racked up 42 catches for 419 yards and six touchdowns last season and is looking to help elevate a mundane Patriots offense.
2023 STATS: 42 Receptions, 419 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.0 Yards Per Reception
17) Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders used the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Brock Bowers, considered one of the best tight-end prospects of the last decade. Another receiver-tight end hybrid, Bowers should be an immediate upgrade over Michael Mayer, who was selected 35th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bowers’ combination of speed, open-field playmaking prowess, and raw pass-catching ability should lead to big numbers — and a fast rise up this list.
2023 NCAA STATS: 56 Receptions, 714 Receiving Yards, 6 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.8 Yards Per Reception
18) Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Isaiah Likely doesn’t do much when Andrews is healthy, as it’s tougher to command touches. But when Andrews is sidelined, he usually takes off and lets his talent shine.
KEEP READING: Ranking the 13 Greatest Tight Ends of All Time
Likely finished 2023 with 30 catches for 411 yards and five TDs, with most of the production coming after Andrews suffered an injury that cut short his regular season.
2023 STATS: 30 Receptions, 411 Receiving Yards, 5 Receiving Touchdowns, 13.7 Yards Per Reception
19) Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Luke Musgrave didn’t match the production of fellow rookie tight ends LaPorta and Kincaid, but he still enjoyed an impressive debut. In 11 regular-season games, the second-round pick caught 34 balls for 352 yards and one touchdown.
2023 STATS: 34 Receptions, 352 Receiving Yards, 1 Receiving Touchdown, 10.4 Yards Per Reception
20) Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins
Will the real Jonnu Smith please stand up? Smith displayed tantalizing potential but offered so-so production while with the Tennessee Titans from 2017 through 2020.
After landing a big contract, he was a disaster with the New England Patriots but rebounded with the Falcons in 2023, setting new career highs with 50 catches and 580 yards. Now with the Dolphins, Smith will have a chance to flourish in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
2023 STATS: 50 Receptions, 582 Receiving Yards, 3 Receiving Touchdowns, 11.6 Yards Per Reception
21) Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
The same can be said for Tyler Conklin. After doing next to nothing in his first three seasons, Conklin posted yardage totals of 593, 552, and 621 over the last three campaigns. Don’t be surprised if he has a big season in 2024 with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.
2023 STATS: 61 Receptions, 621 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.2 Yards Per Reception
22) Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
Noah Fant, a first-round pick in 2019, hasn’t lived up to his draft billing — but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player.
MORE: Who Are the NFL’s Highest-Paid Tight Ends?
Rock-solid as a blocker, Fant topped 480 receiving yards in four of his first five seasons, including two campaigns of over 600 yards. He recently was given a new contract by the Seahawks, and for good reason.
2023 STATS: 32 Receptions, 414 Receiving Yards, 0 Receiving Touchdowns, 12.9 Yards Per Reception
23) Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
People don’t talk much about Tyler Higbee, but they probably should. He barely misses any games, and he’s posted at least 495 receiving yards in each of the last five seasons. He doesn’t offer much as a run blocker, but he’s a solid all-around player who deserves more respect.
2023 STATS: 47 Receptions, 495 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 10.5 Yards Per Reception
24) Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
Kincaid might be ready to take his job, but Dawson Knox is still a very good TE in his own right. Solid both as a blocker and as a receiver, Knox combined for 1,104 yards in 2021 and 2022 before injuries limited his production in 2023.
2023 STATS: 22 Receptions, 186 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.5 Yards Per Reception
25) Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay’s other rookie TE, Tucker Kraft, finished his first season with production that nearly mirrored Musgrave’s: 31 catches for 355 yards and two TDs. You also could argue he’s a better blocker than Musgrave. Regardless, the Packers are set up at tight end for years to come.
2023 STATS: 31 Receptions, 355 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 11.5 Yards Per Reception
26) Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
After a so-so season in New England, Mike Gesicki heads to Cincinnati looking for a fresh start with a far more stable quarterback situation. When given the opportunities, Geisicki can make plays, and with Joe Burrow now serving as his quarterback, those may come a bit more frequently.
2023 STATS: 29 Receptions, 244 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 8.4 Yards Per Reception
27) Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
The long-time Philadelphia Eagle is now taking his talents to a division foe. After 2.5 seasons in Arizona, Zach Ertz heads to Washington looking to be a reliable option for rookie Jayden Daniels.
Ertz’s best years are behind him, but he can still be productive if given the opportunity.
2023 STATS: 27 Receptions, 187 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown, 6.9 Yards Per Reception
28) Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Injuries have limited Juwan Johnson a little bit, but he has still found ways to be productive when called upon. Another year working with Derek Carr should lead to more production as the Saints look to elevate their offense in 2024.
2023 STATS: 37 Receptions, 368 Receiving Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 9.9 Yards Per Reception
29) Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
Bowers will eat into his production going forward, but that doesn’t mean Mayer can’t still make an impact. He is still a viable option for the Raiders’ passing attack; they’re just bringing in a new era of offense in 2024.
2023 STATS: 27 Receptions, 304 Receiving Yards, 2 Touchdowns, 11.3 Yards Per Reception
30) Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
Darnell Washington and the rest of the offensive weapons have been hamstrung by the Steelers’ offenses of recent years, and Washington is no different. With new quarterbacks and new philosophies, the 2024 season could turn out to be a better year for all parties involved.
Washington didn’t have a productive rookie season as TE2 in Pittsburgh, but he offers intriguing upside, especially as a blocker.
2023 STATS: 7 Receptions, 61 Receiving Yards, 0 Touchdowns, 8.7 Yards Per Reception
31) Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
While Chigoziem Okonkwo recorded 54 receptions for 528 yards last season, his 9.8 yards per reception was rather low, and he only got into the end zone once.
In new head coach Brian Callahan’s offensive scheme, the Titans are expected to be a more pass-happy team in 2024, which could create more opportunities for Okonkwo and Tennessee’s pass catchers.
2023 STATS: 54 Receptions, 528 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown, 9.8 Yards Per Reception
32) Hayden Hurst, Los Angeles Chargers
The veteran tight end enters 2024 playing for his fifth team in seven years. While Hurst has been productive at times, he has struggled to latch on to a team. As the Chargers begin the Jim Harbaugh era, Hurst may bring value and intangibles that make this a long-term home for him.
2023 STATS: 18 Receptions, 184 Receiving Yards, 1 Touchdown, 10.2 Yards Per Reception
