The Titans didn't bring back Okonkwo because Gunnar Helm showed them that he could handle being an every-down player. Over the last month of the season, he was on the field on more blocking downs, took on the "Y" role for their offense, and improved as a blocker. The former fourth-round pick quickly developed a connection with Cam Ward, and they were meant to play together. Helm catches everything around him, and Ward knows how to get it there, but he's also a savvy route-runner with manipulation tactics to get open. The growth he showed as a rookie was impressive, and he's poised to break out as a second-year player.

It was a tumultuous season for Mark Andrews, who, among other problems with the 2025 Ravens, didn't perform up to standards. An injury to Lamar Jackson hurt the offense in more ways than one, but the passing attack wasn't the same. On top of that, Andrews had more trouble capitalizing on his targets than in the past. He had a lower yards per reception than at any point in his career last year, according to NFLPro, and his receiving EPA was -9.7, also the lowest of his career. He's still an excellent space finder and one of the best at exploiting zone coverages, but his usage varied with three different quarterbacks at the helm, and his impact as a receiver showed that.

Being a part of the Rams' tight end room has to be a ton of fun, and Tyler Higbee has been there for a while, just doing his thing. While he's spent time each of the last two seasons nursing injuries, he's an effective part of the league-leading users of the 13-personnel game plan when he's on the field. A multi-faceted blocker who does his best work getting to the second level to open lanes, Higbee moves from receiver to in-line presence throughout a game. He's a smart receiver who identifies space to work with and knows how to get there with savvy routes and good hands. They brought him back into the fold for 2026 for good reason; he's still got it.

Adding explosiveness to an offense at the tight end position isn't an easy thing to find, but that's just what Brenton Strange brings to the field. He's a high-effort player in all areas and runs his routes with quick acceleration and an attacking mentality. The former second-round pick for the Jags is a smart player after the catch who can make players miss with underrated athleticism. His speed allows him to stretch the field and be a serious threat to Trevor Lawrence, where most tight ends can't. Strange brings it as a blocker, and while he can be hit-or-miss due to his aggression, he's a functional addition to the run game. He came back from injury and looked like his old self, and the Jaguars will be counting on him taking another step this season.

The willingness to step aside and become a "lesser" part of the Bears' passing attack shows you part of what makes Cole Kmet. He's willing to do whatever is asked of him, including whatever crazy blocking assignment Ben Johnson has concocted for him. While there's some inconsistency with his ball skills away from the body and through contact, Kmet remains a good receiving option with the physical yards-after-catch aspect he's always brought to the field. He gives the offense blocking flexibility and real viability as a pass protector, allowing him to be used in a variety of ways. On top of it all, he's the Bears' emergency quarterback. Even after drafting yet another tight end, Kmet remains a steady part of the Bears' offense going forward.

A breakout second-year performance from AJ Barner helped cement him as the Seahawks' primary tight end and one of the rising talents at the position in the NFL. He isn't the most dynamic route-runner, but he plays with good timing and spacing, selling routes in sync with the scheme. He's comfortable catching the ball away from his body and flashes utility after the catch. But Barner is a complete tight end. He's a good multiple-blocker in the run and passing game, which helped spring Seattle's run game into action with multiple big runs on their way to a Super Bowl. They felt comfortable running to Barner's side time and time again, and he earned their trust. Barner is one of the best young tight ends in the NFL and could be on his way even higher this coming season.

The Steelers offense was a tough watch last season, and several players weren't put in the best positions to succeed. Pat Freiermuth was seriously underutilized on a team lacking legit pass-catching talent. He's a good route-runner who can attack the middle of the field and adjusts to the football well in the air. A savvy runner after the catch, Freiermuth sees space pre- and post-snap to take advantage of regularly. He was +100 yards after the catch over expected in 2025, according to NFLPro, and has been positive in that category throughout his career. Finding ways to get the ball in Freiermuth's hands is usually a good thing, and after some changes to the staff going into 2026, there's room for him to have a bounce-back season.

After handling the most targets in his career, Juwan Johnson found that playing in Kellen Moore's offense is going to be great for his production. The sixth-year tight end hit career highs in receiving yards (889) and receptions (77) and showed why he's one of the most nuanced receivers at the position. Johnson is an excellent route-runner who plays with great timing, nuance, and acceleration to maximize yards after the catch. He's a frustrating player due to his blocking care factor and drops for a player with his ball skills, but when he's firing on all cylinders, Johnson is incredibly tough to stop.

Even though he battled injuries throughout last season, when Dalton Kincaid was on the field, he was a difference-maker. Being a chain mover as a tight end with his route-running ability is a huge plus, and he accessed open areas of the field with his eyes and football IQ as much as his raw talent. Kincaid was stronger through contact at the catch point, though physicality through the route impacts him, and he is still a three-level threat in the passing game. According to NFLPro, "Dalton Kincaid led all tight ends in yards per target (11.7) this season (min. 20 targets), racking up 15 receptions, 320 yards, and three touchdowns on downfield targets." With the addition of DJ Moore occupying defenders, a healthy Dalton Kincaid could be in for an even better 2026.

While many know Isaiah Likely for pass-catching ability, he's one of the better blockers on the move at the tight end position. He's looking to punish defenders as a lead blocker in space, times up his power well, and extends to create lanes. He won't cave in the sides of the defense as an in-line blocker, but the tenacity is fun to watch. Likely is a complete receiver who sells routes with speed, doesn't drop the ball, and brings tons of added value when the play breaks down. If he had better awareness after the catch with the football, there wouldn't be as many fumbles or a called-back touchdown from last season. There's still more potential for Likely as a pass catcher, and hopefully that will be unlocked in New York.

Darnell Washington is a unique athlete and player, even in the NFL, where they are everywhere. A self-proclaimed 311-pound tight end, and he definitely looks it (in a good way), who moves all over the formation and is a punishing blocker. His aggression can be taken advantage of, and he'll get top-heavy, but he's a weapon in the run game. For a slower player off the ball, if Washington gets the ball in space, he turns into the Juggernaut and can collect bodies on his way to yards after the catch. He still needs to work on his timing within both phases of the game, but a player with his unique talents will be coveted by the Steelers, and for good reason.

Before suffering a herniated disc that required back surgery last season, Sam LaPorta was averaging more yards per route run (2.0) and yards after the catch per reception (6.8) than ever in his career. His average depth of target was down from his two previous seasons, allowing him to showcase his burst and feel for making players miss after the catch. While contact through the route in man coverage gives him trouble, LaPorta has a good route tree, and his hands were fantastic before his injury. He's an excellent receiving option, but leaves a lot to be desired as a blocker. The former second-round pick is much better at lining up blocks on the move than sustaining them in-line. He's currently on track to start the 2026 season, and LaPorta will be a big part of the Lions offense once again.

Having a tight end like Hunter Henry helped Drake Maye's MVP candidacy, as he was one of the most impactful red zone threats in the NFL. Five of his seven touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line, along with a target percentage north of 30% on the season. Maye was looking for Henry in "gotta have it" situations all season long, and it proved beneficial. He averaged his best yards after the catch per reception of his career (5.6) last year, was a great post-route space finder, and a versatile receiver for the Patriots offense. Henry knows how to get open, and when you pair that with a quarterback that finds creative ways to get him the football, it's a dangerous combination.

One of the most dangerous seam weapons in the NFL, Jake Ferguson continues to showcase his value with quarterback Dak Prescott. He has a great feel for the top of routes, whether using physicality or footwork, and gets his head around in a hurry to locate the ball. Ferguson's ball skills make him a fantastic red-zone threat and a trusted player through contact. He's not out there to block much, but he gets the job done and, on the move, provides kick-out blocks for the offense. Ferguson caught more balls and touchdowns than at any point in his career and is poised for another explosive year with the same offense going forward.