Fantasy football is a cruel mistress. One week you’re high on a draft-day steal like Brock Bowers, and the next you’re staring at a four-point dud wondering if you should just start a second kicker. Honestly, tight end has become the most frustrating puzzle in the game. We’re heading into Week 4 of the 2025 season, and the landscape is... well, it’s a mess.
If you own Travis Kelce, you’re probably looking for the nearest exit. He’s projected for about 6.1 catches and 53 yards against the Ravens, which sounds okay until you realize we used to expect 20 points from him in his sleep. Now? He's basically a touchdown-dependent veteran.
The Elite Tier Is Shrinking
Trey McBride is the guy everyone wants right now. He’s facing a Seahawks defense that has been surprisingly porous against the seam. Arizona is funneling everything through him and Marvin Harrison Jr., making McBride a volume king. Last week he notched a score against the Niners, and the targets aren't slowing down.
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Then there is Brock Bowers. The kid is a freak. Even with a knee brace and some mobility concerns, the Raiders are treating him like their WR1. He's facing a Bears defense this week that’s stingy, but when you’re seeing seven or eight targets a game as a tight end, you’re a locked-in starter. No questions asked.
Why Tight End Rankings Week 4 are a Nightmare
The middle class of tight ends is where seasons go to die. Look at Sam LaPorta. He was the golden boy last year, but in 2025, he’s struggling to stay relevant in a Detroit offense that has too many mouths to feed. He's projected for about 4.6 catches against Cleveland. That's fine for a floor, but it’s not winning you weeks.
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- Jake Ferguson is the target vacuum. With CeeDee Lamb dealing with a high-ankle sprain, Dak Prescott has basically decided Ferguson is his only friend. He had 13 catches last week. Thirteen! Against Green Bay, he’s a top-five play purely because of the expected volume.
- The Tucker Kraft breakout is real. He put up 124 yards and a score in Week 2 before a minor knee tweak slowed him down. He’s healthy now and facing a Cowboys defense that just got shredded by Chicago's pass catchers.
- Tyler Warren is the rookie sleeper. The Colts are using him everywhere. He’s got a matchup against the Rams, who have been historically bad against tight ends. If you’re desperate, he’s the high-upside play.
The Injury Ward and Red Flags
George Kittle is likely out. If you’re a Niners fan or a fantasy manager, that hurts. Jake Tonges is the name to watch there, but let’s be real, you’re probably not starting him unless you’re in a 16-team league.
Evan Engram is another weird one. The move to Denver hasn't been the explosion we hoped for under Sean Payton. He had literally zero catches last week. Zero. You can’t start a guy coming off a zero, even against the Bengals.
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And then there's Mark Andrews. He finally "woke up" with a two-touchdown game, but Isaiah Likely is lurking. If Likely returns from his foot injury this week, Andrews' ceiling drops immediately. It’s a classic Baltimore headache.
Making the Tough Calls
The reality of these tight end rankings week 4 is that you have to chase volume over "name value." Hunter Henry is actually a viable starter right now because Drake Maye looks for him constantly. He’s got the Panthers this week, who have allowed more yards to tight ends than almost anyone.
Don't be afraid to bench a "star" for a guy like Juwan Johnson or even Zach Ertz if the matchup is right. Ertz is ancient in football years, but Jayden Daniels trusts him in the red zone. That’s worth more than David Njoku’s potential in a broken Browns offense.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the injury report for CeeDee Lamb. If he's officially out, Jake Ferguson becomes a top-3 TE play.
- Scour the waiver wire for Tyler Warren. His ownership is still too low for a guy with his target share.
- Sell high on Mark Andrews. If someone in your league still thinks he’s an elite TE1 after one good game, let them take that risk while Isaiah Likely is getting healthy.
- Monitor Tucker Kraft’s practice status. If he’s a full participant by Friday, start him over struggling veterans like Evan Engram.