B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top Tight Ends for the 2026 Season

This is the NFL 1000. The 1,000 best players in the league today, ranked by our NFL Scouting Department based on their on-field play and positional value.

Up next in the series: tight end. The story here is youth versus experience: Who wins out at one of the league's most polarizing positions? Is Brock Bowers already the NFL's TE1?

To tackle all this, our team of scouts conducted an exhaustive film review and graded every non-rookie on a 100-point scale built from position-specific traits.

Tight ends are graded on five categories: route running, ball skills, football IQ (20 points apiece), plus blocking and YAC ability, which are weighted by role—Y tight ends carry blocking at 25 and YAC at 15, while move TEs flip it (blocking 15, YAC 25). Trait scores add up to the grade, and when multiple players received the same score, their ranking was determined by a majority vote among the group.

Scroll down and see where your favorite team's players land.

Player grades and write-ups were done by Bleacher Report NFL scouts Damian Parson (QB/WR/RB/FB), Brandon Thorn (OL), Matt Holder (EDGE, LB, DL), Dan Harms (TE, CB, Safety) and Brent Sobleski (Kickers/Punters).

Click here for a rundown of every NFL 1000 article published to date as well as a complete series schedule.

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Tap a player to reveal their full card, traits and scouting summary.

A group of veterans here that often leaves something to be desired. Sanders and Gray, in particular, have shown flashes, but not enough to warrant any higher marks.

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Dulcich and Ferguson could see increased opportunities this season, meaning they could see a rise in these rankings if they make the most of those chances.

Ferguson, along teammate Davis Allen, are part of crowded, but heavily-used Rams tight end room. Ferguson's upside stands out here.

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A mix of pass-catchers and blocking tight ends, the largest group of this ranking boasts plenty of upside.

Taylor and Gadsden II, both entering their second seasons, flashed star potential last year. If they can build on that, a significant rise up the rankings will be on the horizon.

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This steady group includes a couple of potential stars.

Harold Fannin Jr. is entering only his second season, but already looks the part of a big-time contributor. If steadier QB play comes in Cleveland (that's a big if, though), he could make a huge move in future rankings.

And Chig Okonkwo, forever flashing but never sustaining, should see more opportunities with Jayden Daniels targeting him.

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Littered with starters old and young, this group is highlighted by former Ravens teammates Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.

Andrews is coming off a down-and-up year, but was rewarded with a contract extension as Likely moved to New York with Coach Jon Harbaugh. Now, Andrews has an opportunity to prove that contract worthwhile and possibly with extra looks.

Likely, meanwhile, is expected to play a huge role in the Giants' offense.

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Age and a down year couldn't keep Kelce out of the top 10. The future Hall of Famer highlights a group split by veteran stars and the potential future of the position.

Warren, Pitts and Loveland and look like potential top 5 mainstays in future rankings.

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Another season and Brock Bowers will almost certainly be topping this list, but he's not there yet.

Tucker Kraft, before a tough injury ended his season, looked like arguably the league's best complete tight end outside of our No. 1-ranked player.

And, while McBride's career 2025 season will be hard to top, he should regularly find a spot in this top 5 for years to come.

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