Way Too Early 2026 TE Rankings for PPR Fantasy Football | The Flex Spot

2026 TE rankings for PPR fantasy football. Trey McBride leads as the undisputed TE1. Brock Bowers, Tyler Warren and the top tight ends ranked.

Way Too Early 2026 TE Rankings for PPR (Fantasy Football)

By The Flex Spot

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

Trey McBride was the undisputed TE1 in 2025, and the numbers back it up completely. He finished with 126 catches on 169 targets for 1,239 yards and 11 touchdowns. That is elite volume and efficiency in PPR, leading the position by a wide margin in points and basically every key category that matters.

He put up those monster numbers with Kyler Murray for part of the year and Jacoby Brissett stepping in later in the season when Murray was benched. The offense ran through him consistently, even with Marvin Harrison Jr. on the field. McBride was the clear focal point of the passing attack, seeing targets week after week no matter who was under center.

Heading into 2026, Arizona has a new head coach and will have a new quarterback situation. They hold the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. One option being discussed is someone like Ty Simpson if they go the rookie route, or they could chase a veteran in free agency. We will see how that shakes out, but McBride's role should stay massive regardless. He is locked in as the top target in that offense.

Right now, he is clearly the No. 1 tight end in the league. In dynasty, he is a straight hold and probably on the do not trade list for anyone smart enough to own him.

2. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers had a down sophomore season in 2025, finishing with 64 catches for 680 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 12 games played. Injuries and poor quarterback play derailed what could have been another big year after his incredible rookie campaign.

He battled a lingering knee injury from Week 1 against the Patriots, missing three games early and playing through pain for much of the year. The Raiders ultimately shut him down late in the season, placing him on injured reserve to fully recover and ensure he is 100 percent healthy for 2026.

The offense sputtered under Geno Smith, who struggled with turnovers and inefficiency, leading to a low scoring attack that limited everyone's production. After an elite rookie year that exceeded expectations as a generational prospect from Georgia, this was clearly a down year driven by health issues and poor quarterback and offensive play, not a talent drop off.

Heading into 2026, Bowers gets a fresh start with a new head coach and a new quarterback. The Raiders hold the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and Fernando Mendoza from Indiana, the Heisman winner, is the likely selection to lead the rebuild. Pair that with Ashton Jeanty in the backfield, and the offense has a very bright future with young talent around Bowers.

Look for him to return to full health, reclaim his role as the focal point, and exceed his rookie production numbers. The talent is still there, and the situation is set up for a bounce back.

3. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren had a strong rookie season in 2025 with 76 catches on 112 targets for 817 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus a rushing score. He set the Colts record for rookie tight end receiving yards and delivered top ten production at the position despite major issues at quarterback.

The first half of the season showed his true potential. Before Daniel Jones got hurt, the Colts offense was rolling. Jones was accurate on seam routes and red zone throws, Shane Steichen used Warren all over the formation, and the targets came consistently. Warren produced high volume games with efficient yards, contested catch wins, and physicality after the catch. He looked like a clear mismatch weapon on pace for a huge year.

Then in Week 14, Jones suffered a non contact Achilles tear against the Jaguars, ending his season. Riley Leonard stepped in briefly, the passing game collapsed, and Warren's second half production dropped because the entire offense struggled. It was not a personal regression.

Looking ahead, Daniel Jones turns 29 and should be fully cleared by training camp after the standard six to eight month rehab. He has expressed a desire to re sign with the Colts as a free agent. Philip Rivers came out of retirement late in 2025 to help after Jones went down and is now returning to high school coaching. That sets up Jones to reclaim the starting role healthy, which should restore the early season chemistry with Warren.

At 6 foot 6 and 261 pounds, with strong blocking from Penn State and polished route running, Warren is a true three down tight end. Year two should bring more experience, sharper details, and increased volume. If Jones returns to form, Warren has a real path to 90 plus catches and 1,000 plus yards in 2026.

4. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. had a breakout rookie season in 2025 with the Browns, finishing with 72 catches for 731 yards and 6 touchdowns. He delivered consistent production and showed he could be a focal point even in a tough offensive environment.

His college production at Bowling Green was unbelievable. In 2024, he led the nation in receiving yards, receptions, yards per game, and receptions per game for a tight end, setting multiple FBS records and earning consensus All American honors. He was underrated heading into the 2025 draft and probably should have gone higher, but his production has translated immediately.

He produced all year in Cleveland despite uncertainty at quarterback and overall team struggles. The Browns fired Kevin Stefanski after the season, bringing in a new head coach for 2026. That could mean fresh schemes and more emphasis on Fannin's skill set. Regardless of who is under center, he proved he can produce.

He is in line for a major Year two jump and could easily climb higher than this spot once things settle.

5. Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Jake Ferguson had a strong 2025 season with 82 catches on 102 targets for 600 yards and 8 touchdowns over 17 games. He finished as TE8 in PPR scoring, providing steady production despite a disappointing Cowboys season.

Dallas struggled with offensive inconsistency and missed the playoffs, but Ferguson remained reliable. He was a consistent target for Dak Prescott and continued to deliver strong red zone production.

Ferguson has established himself as one of the most dependable tight ends in the league with reliable hands, steady volume, and durability. His role is secure heading into 2026.

6. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

Tucker Kraft was on fire in 2025 before the injury. Through eight games, he recorded 32 catches for 489 yards and 6 touchdowns, sitting as high as TE2 in PPR points per game.

Week 9 against Carolina changed everything. Kraft suffered a non contact ACL tear while blocking, ending his season.

At 6 foot 5 and 259 pounds, and turning 26 in November 2026, the athletic upside remains intact. ACL recovery timelines suggest he should be ready for training camp or early in the season.

If healthy, Green Bay should continue to feature him as a mismatch weapon in the passing game.

7. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts posted a solid bounce back season in 2025, finishing with 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. He flashed his elite upside with multiple big games and consistent downfield usage.

Atlanta enters 2026 with a new head coach, and Michael Penix Jr. is expected to take over at quarterback. Penix has the arm strength to push the ball vertically to Pitts, though early growing pains could limit consistency.

Still just 25 years old, Pitts retains top tier upside if everything clicks. That upside keeps him firmly inside the top seven.

8. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Colston Loveland had a promising rookie season with 58 catches for 713 yards and 6 touchdowns. His production surged late in the year, including strong playoff performances where he led the Bears in targets and yards.

Ben Johnson now takes over as head coach, and his history of maximizing tight ends bodes extremely well for Loveland. Johnson excels at creating mismatches and scheming tight ends open.

At just 22 years old entering Year two, Loveland is set up for a clear step forward.

9. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Sam LaPorta saw his production dip in 2025, finishing with 40 catches for 489 yards and 3 touchdowns in nine games before a back injury ended his season.

Ben Johnson's departure clearly impacted his role, but LaPorta should be fully healthy heading into 2026. At 25 years old, with proven upside in a strong offense, he has clear bounce back potential if Detroit re prioritizes him.

10. Hunter Henry, New England Patriots

Hunter Henry quietly delivered a strong 2025 season with 60 catches for 768 yards and 7 touchdowns, finishing as a top ten PPR tight end. He remains one of the most underrated players at the position.

The Patriots offense was inconsistent, but Henry maintained a steady role and strong red zone involvement. He proved he still has plenty left at age 31.

Heading into 2026, Drake Maye should be firmly entrenched as the starter. The chemistry built between Maye and Henry late in the season gives Henry a slight edge over Dalton Kincaid and Dallas Goedert for this spot.

Honorable Mentions

Dallas Goedert (PHI)

Had a career year in 2025 with 60 catches for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns (top among tight ends in touchdowns). He is still a red zone monster when healthy, but injury history and competition for targets keep him just outside my top 10.

Dalton Kincaid (BUF)

Solid volume guy with upside in Buffalo's offense, but inconsistent production and quarterback play held him back from pushing higher. He is close to cracking the list if things stabilize.

Travis Kelce (KC)

The legend. If he comes back in 2026, he is still capable of top 10 numbers, but retirement talk is real at his age and with the mileage. I am not counting on it.

Mark Andrews (BAL)

Always a touchdown threat when healthy, but 2025 was another year of ups and downs with injuries and target competition. He is talented, but the consistency is not there anymore.

David Njoku (CLE)

Got overtaken by Harold Fannin Jr. in Cleveland last year. If he lands on a new team in free agency, he could rise with a fresh start and more targets. Worth monitoring.

Oronde Gadsden II (LAC)

Flashed late in 2025 with 49 catches for 664 yards and solid efficiency. Young, athletic, and in a Chargers offense that could use more weapons. He is one to watch if he gets a bigger role.

Terrance Ferguson (LAR)

Showed real promise as a rookie in 2025 with some late season flashes in the Rams offense. If Tyler Higbee leaves in free agency or the team leans younger, he could step into a bigger role in 2026. Young upside play worth keeping an eye on.