Let's be real for a second: if you drafted a tight end early this year, you’ve probably spent more time staring at the waiver wire than you ever intended. It’s been a weird one. We came into the season thinking we had a handle on the "big names," but between the training room filling up and some massive breakouts from the rookie class, the landscape is basically unrecognizable from August.
If you’re still alive in your league or just looking to finish the year strong, knowing who to trust is everything. We’re in that mid-January stretch of 2026 where the regular season is wrapping up and every target feels like it’s worth double. Honestly, the old guard is fading, and if you haven’t adjusted your tight end rankings rest of season mindset yet, you’re playing for second place.
The New King and the Massive Gap
Trey McBride didn't just meet expectations; he basically broke the scale. While most of us were hoping for a "solid" season, McBride ended up finishing as the overall TE1 by a staggering margin. We are talking about an 86-point difference between him and the next guy on the list. That’s not just a lead; that’s a different zip code.
He’s commanding a target share that looks more like a WR1 than a tight end. If you’ve got him, you aren't reading this for advice—you’re reading it to gloat. But for everyone else, the hunt for the "next McBride" is where the season is won or lost.
Why the Rookie Class Changed Everything
The 2025 rookie class was supposed to be good, but nobody saw this coming. We usually expect tight ends to take three years to "get it." These guys didn't get the memo.
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- Tyler Warren: The guy has been a revelation in Indianapolis. He’s basically become the safety blanket for that offense, often leading the team in targets. He’s currently sitting as a top-three fantasy TE, which is wild for a rookie.
- Harold Fannin Jr.: If you snagged him off waivers in Cleveland, you’re probably in the playoffs. He’s shown a floor that most veterans would kill for.
- Colston Loveland: Despite the Bears’ offense being a bit of a roller coaster, Loveland has emerged as a genuine red-zone threat.
The Injury Carnage: Who is Actually Left?
You can’t talk about tight end rankings rest of season without mentioning the hospital ward. It has been brutal.
George Kittle is officially done. That Achilles tear in the Wild Card round against the Eagles was a heartbreaker for Niners fans and fantasy owners alike. He was having a typical Kittle season—high efficiency, massive touchdown upside—but now the Niners are looking at guys like Jake Tonges to fill the void. Spoiler: Tonges isn't Kittle. He might get the snaps, but he won't get the "Shanahan magic" targets consistently.
Then there’s Sam LaPorta. After that record-breaking rookie year in '23, 2025 was a nightmare. A herniated disc ended his season early, and while he’s targeting a 2026 training camp return, he’s useless to you right now.
The Brock Bowers Situation
Bowers is a tricky one. He’s on IR now with a knee issue, finishing his sophomore slump with 64 catches for 680 yards. The Raiders decided to shut him down since they aren't playing for anything. If you’re in a redraft league, he’s a drop. In dynasty? You hold onto him like a winning lottery ticket because the talent is still clearly there, even if the quarterback play in Vegas was... well, let's call it "challenging."
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The Mid-Tier Heroes You Can Still Start
So, who do you actually put in your lineup? If you don't have McBride or Warren, you're playing the "matchup and volume" game.
Dallas Goedert has been surprisingly steady in Philadelphia. With the Eagles dealing with various WR injuries throughout the year, Goedert has been a target hog. He’s not going to give you a 30-point explosion, but he’s also not going to give you a zero. In a year this volatile, that’s gold.
Kyle Pitts is... still Kyle Pitts. He actually finished as the TE2 in total points, which might shock people who love to meme him. He’s finally getting the red zone looks we’ve been begging for since 2021. Is he frustrating? Yeah. Is he a top-5 play every week now? Also yeah.
Travis Kelce is the elephant in the room. Look, he’s not the 1,300-yard monster anymore. With Patrick Mahomes dealing with his own knee issues and Gardner Minshew stepping in lately, the ceiling has lowered. He’s still a top-10 option just because of the name and the occasional goal-line look, but the days of him being a first-round fantasy lock are over.
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Actionable Strategy for the Final Push
If you are looking to solidify your roster for the final games, stop chasing "potential" and start chasing snaps and air yards.
- Check the 49ers' Waiver Wire: Jake Tonges is going to play almost every snap with Kittle out. He’s not a world-beater, but volume is king at this position. If you’re desperate, he’s the "break glass in case of emergency" play.
- Monitor the Jaguars: With Evan Engram out of the picture, Brenton Strange has quietly become a factor. He’s getting about 5-6 targets a game. That’s a luxury in this economy.
- Sell the "Big Names" in Dynasty: If you are out of the hunt and someone is still paying full price for Travis Kelce based on his legacy, make the move. The shift toward younger, more athletic TEs like McBride and Warren is permanent.
The tight end position is no longer about just "having one of the big three." It's about navigating the injuries and leaning into the youth movement. If you've been stubborn about holding onto aging veterans, it's time to let go.
Check your waiver wire for Jake Tonges or Oronde Gadsden II if they are still floating around. Gadsden, in particular, has seen his target share spike in the last three weeks with the Chargers. He’s basically a jumbo wide receiver, and that’s exactly what you want in your TE slot for a championship run.