Drafting tight ends is basically an exercise in masochism. You know it. I know it. Every year, we look at the fantasy TE rankings 2025 and convince ourselves that this is the year the "middle class" of the position actually produces something useful. Then, by Week 4, you’re scouring the waiver wire for a guy who might—if the moon is in the right phase—catch a three-yard touchdown. It’s brutal.
But 2025 feels different, and not just in that "I've been hurt before" kind of way. We are seeing a massive shift in how teams use the position. The old guard is aging out, and the new wave of "jumbo receivers" is finally taking over the top tier. If you aren't adjusting your rankings to account for target share over traditional blocking utility, you're going to get lapped.
The Tier 1 Dilemma: Is Trey McBride the New King?
Honestly, looking at the early fantasy TE rankings 2025, the debate at the very top is spicy. For years, Travis Kelce was the default 1.01 at the position. No questions asked. But the 2024 season showed some cracks in the armor, didn't it? He’s still elite, obviously, but the Chiefs have started to "load manage" him during the regular season to keep him fresh for the Super Bowl run. That’s great for Kansas City; it’s annoying for your fantasy team.
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Then there’s Trey McBride.
Watching McBride in Arizona is a treat. He’s not just a safety valve; he’s often the primary read. Kyler Murray looks for him when the play breaks down, which happens a lot. In most PPR formats, McBride’s volume makes him the safest bet for a high floor. He’s basically a target hog with a tight end designation. If you’re drafting in the late second or early third round, that’s where the conversation starts.
Sam LaPorta is right there, too. His rookie year was historic, but the Lions have so many mouths to feed. Amon-Ra St. Brown gets his, Jahmyr Gibbs is a threat out of the backfield, and Jameson Williams is always a deep threat. LaPorta is a touchdown machine, but his yardage can be inconsistent. You've gotta decide if you're chasing the ceiling or the floor.
Why the Middle Rounds are a Trap
Most people get the "muddlers" wrong. You see names like Kyle Pitts or George Kittle and you think, "Hey, the name value is there!"
Stop.
Kittle is arguably the best actual tight end in the NFL. He blocks like a tackle and runs like a deer. But for fantasy? He’s the fourth option on a team that loves to run the ball. One week he’ll give you 30 points and win you the matchup. The next three weeks? He might combine for 12 points. That volatility kills you in head-to-head leagues.
And Pitts... man. We’ve been waiting for the breakout since 2021. The talent is undeniable, but the production hasn't matched the pedigree. Unless the Falcons' offensive scheme undergoes a radical shift toward a 30% target share for the TE, he remains a high-risk, moderate-reward play.
The Sleepers That Actually Matter
If you miss out on the top five guys, don't panic. The back half of the fantasy TE rankings 2025 is where championships are actually won. Look at a guy like Brock Bowers. Coming out of Georgia, he was touted as a generational prospect. His first year in the pros showed exactly why. He can line up in the slot, in the backfield, or on the line. He’s a mismatch nightmare.
Then you have the "post-hype" candidates.
- Dalton Kincaid in Buffalo. With Stefon Diggs gone, Josh Allen needed a new best friend. Kincaid fits the mold. He’s basically a massive slot receiver.
- Jake Ferguson. Dak Prescott loves his tight ends. Ferguson might not be the flashiest athlete, but he’s constantly in the red zone.
- Isaiah Likely. We saw what he could do when Mark Andrews was out. The Ravens are figuring out ways to get both on the field, but Likely is the better vertical threat at this stage.
Drafting Strategy: Don't Be the "Wait and See" Guy
There are two ways to play this.
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First, you go "Elite or Bust." You grab a top-three guy early and never think about the position again. You pay the premium price for the peace of mind. It’s a valid strategy if you’re confident in finding value at WR and RB later in the draft.
Second, you play the "Late-Round Lottery." You wait until the 10th round or later and take two guys. Maybe you grab a veteran like David Njoku and pair him with a high-upside rookie or a second-year breakout candidate. You play the matchups. It’s stressful. It requires constant waiver wire hovering. But it allows you to build a super-team at the other positions.
The one thing you cannot do is draft a "boring" veteran in the 7th round. Taking someone like Hunter Henry or Dalton Schultz there is a waste of capital. They aren't going to win you your league. They are "safe," and safe doesn't win trophies. You want players with a path to being the #1 or #2 target on their respective teams.
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Actionable Next Steps for Your Draft
- Check the Depth Charts: Before your draft, look at which teams didn't add significant WR help in the off-season. Those are the teams where the TE will see a volume spike.
- Prioritize Target Share: Forget yards per catch for a second. Look at targets per route run (TPRR). If a TE is being targeted on more than 22% of their routes, they are a must-start.
- Ignore the "Blocking" Tight Ends: Great for the NFL, terrible for you. If a guy is praised for his "inline blocking," that means he’s staying in to protect the QB instead of running a route. Avoid them in fantasy.
- Watch the Red Zone Snaps: Some TEs get a lot of yards between the 20s but get pulled for a "heavy" package in the red zone. You want the guy who stays on the field when the ball is at the 5-yard line.
- Tier Your Rankings: Don't just list players 1 through 20. Group them. If you’re in a draft and the last player in "Tier 2" is on the clock, that’s when you strike. Once a tier is gone, the value drops off a cliff.
The fantasy TE rankings 2025 will continue to shift as we head through training camp and the preseason. Keep an eye on camp reports—specifically about who is taking reps with the first-team QB in two-minute drills. That’s usually the biggest tell for who the "trusted" target will be when the game is on the line.