As always, there are so few difference-making tight ends that after the top five of the position, there’s only moderate to mediocre fantasy value in all the rest. But as with the other positions, here are how tight ends fared considering how they stacked up against all other tight ends who faced the
Better than average
Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers
As expected, this metric shows a rapid decline due to so few tight ends being used heavily in their teams’ offensive scheme. There was unprecedented change in the position in 2025 compared to recent years. Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and Evan Engram disappointed. Brock Bowers topped them all as the new Sam LaPorta who was the new Travis Kelce last year.
Jonnu Smith in Miami was a shock for a franchise that historically ignored the position under head coach Mike McDaniel but became a fantasy beast in the second half of the season. Trey McBride shined for the Cardinals while George Kittle posted his best season in the last six years.
Notable is that the position typically is ruled by more veteran players, and yet three of the best seven – Bowers, McBride, and LaPorta – are all youngsters.
Jonnu Smith came out of nowhere in 2025, on his fourth NFL team and almost doubling the production of any of his seven previous seasons. He had seven more catches than any other Dolphin, including Tyreek Hill.
Managing a top performance allowed by a defense is very challenging considering how many they face, though managing more than one shows how instrumental these tight ends became in the scheme of their offense.
