Brock Bowers and Trey McBride lead the 2026 NFL tight end rankings
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 7, 2026, 12:54 PM
Last updated Sep 7, 2026
The tight end position in the NFL has shifted toward younger, versatile talent entering the 2026 season. Raiders player Brock Bowers sits at the top of the league rankings, followed by Cardinals player Trey McBride, who recorded 126 catches and 1,239 yards last season. Veteran 49ers player George Kittle remains among the top-tier contributors alongside emerging players like Bears player Colston Loveland and Lions player Sam LaPorta. While aging veterans such as Chiefs player Travis Kelce and Ravens player Mark Andrews retain roles, their usage and athleticism have evolved compared to earlier stages of their careers. Teams are increasingly prioritizing players who demonstrate both receiving skill and effective blocking capabilities within their offensive schemes. These rankings reflect a mix of established veterans and first-round picks who are expected to command significant targets throughout the upcoming regular season schedule.
- •Brock Bowers enters his third season as the Raiders' primary tight end target.
- •Trey McBride recorded 126 catches and 11 touchdowns during his fourth NFL season.
- •George Kittle maintains a top-three ranking despite recovering from a recent Achilles injury.
- •Travis Kelce returns for what is expected to be his final professional season.
- •Colston Loveland and Sam LaPorta are identified as rising stars within their respective team offenses.
- 12:54 PMYahoo Sports — Ranking the NFL's 15 best tight ends for the 2026 season, from Brock Bowers to A.J. Barner
"Tight end has become a more marquee position with an influx of young talent increasing the amount of talented receivers and blockers around the NFL. Here's looking at the dozen-plus who stand out most at the moment.
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