The fantasy tight end landscape in 2025 has been a total fever dream. If you told me back in August that we’d be heading into Week 10 with rookie Brock Bowers and Oronde Gadsden II as legitimate league-winners while established vets like T.J. Hockenson are basically roster-cloggers, I probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. But here we are. It's Week 10. The bye weeks are starting to bite hard, injuries are piling up like a Saturday morning car wreck, and your streaming options are getting thinner than a training camp jersey.
Honestly, the week 10 te rankings this year aren't just about who is the most talented. They’re about who is actually left standing and who has a quarterback that isn't terrified of the middle of the field. Let's get into the weeds of who you should actually trust this week.
The Elite Tier: The Only Guarantees Left
There are maybe three guys at the position right now who don't give you a massive headache on Sunday morning. Brock Bowers is the clear-cut TE1. It’s not even a debate anymore. With the Raiders shipping out Jakobi Meyers, Bowers isn't just a tight end; he is the entire passing game in Las Vegas. He played 81% of the snaps last week and finished with a ridiculous stat line against Jacksonville. Heading into the Denver matchup, he’s a lock.
Then you have Trey McBride. Kyler Murray has been treating him like a security blanket, especially with the Cardinals leaning on him for double-digit targets in multiple games this season. McBride is currently averaging over 16 PPR points per game, which is basically wide receiver territory. If you have him, you’re starting him against Seattle, period.
The third name in this "don't even think about it" tier is George Kittle. Even with the 49ers dealing with quarterback shuffling—Mac Jones stepped in for an injured Brock Purdy recently—Kittle remains the heart of that offense. He’s been a bit touchdown-dependent lately because of a nagging hamstring, but his floor is still higher than almost anyone else on this list.
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The Rising Stars and The "Wait, Who?" Category
This is where things get interesting for the week 10 te rankings. We have seen a massive shift toward youth this year.
Oronde Gadsden II has skyrocketed up the charts. He’s been averaging nearly 18 fantasy points over the last month for the Chargers. Justin Herbert has finally found a rhythm with him, and even though they face a tough Steelers defense this week, Gadsden’s 87% route participation makes him impossible to bench. He’s essentially a jumbo wide receiver.
Then there's the rookie Colston Loveland in Chicago. People were sleeping on him early, but he’s turned into a target monster for Caleb Williams. Last week, he ripped off over 100 yards and two touchdowns, including a 58-yarder where he looked like a prime Travis Kelce. He gets the Giants this week, a team that has been getting shredded by athletic tight ends all year.
Tyler Warren in Indianapolis is another name you've got to watch. He cooled off a bit recently, but the volume is still there. He’s been catching at least four balls a game for six straight weeks. Against an Atlanta defense that struggles to cover the seam, he's a top-10 play.
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Mid-Tier Volatility: Proceed With Caution
This is the "danger zone" where most fantasy managers live. You're looking at guys like Sam LaPorta and Dalton Kincaid.
LaPorta hasn't been the world-beater we saw last year, mostly because the Lions have so many mouths to feed. However, he’s coming off a massive 97-yard game against Minnesota. Washington’s defense has allowed four touchdowns to tight ends in just the last three games. If you're looking for a breakout, this is the week for Sam.
- Dalton Kincaid (Buffalo Bills): He is the definition of a "boom or bust" player. One week he gives you 100 yards, the next he disappears for 20. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury right now, which is a massive red flag. If he plays against Miami, you almost have to start him because of the upside, but keep Dawson Knox on your radar just in case.
- Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons): I know, I know. We’ve been hurt before. But Pitts is actually becoming... consistent? He’s leading the Falcons in targets over the last three weeks. He isn't scoring a ton of touchdowns, but the floor is finally safe. He’s a TE1 against the Colts.
- Cade Otton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined, Otton has become the focal point. He’s seeing a 20-25% target share. He’s not flashy, but 5 catches for 50 yards is a godsend at this position.
The Injury Ward: Who to Avoid
The injury report for Week 10 is pretty grim. Dalton Kincaid is the big one to watch; hamstring strains for tight ends are notorious for lingering. If he’s out, Dawson Knox becomes a top-12 streaming option immediately.
Oronde Gadsden II also gave us a scare with a knee contusion, but early reports suggest he’s going to play through it. On the flip side, Tucker Kraft is already on IR, which has opened the door for Luke Musgrave in Green Bay. Musgrave has the pedigree, but he’s been a ghost most of the season. He's a desperation play only.
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And then there's T.J. Hockenson. It’s been a rough comeback. He’s only managed one top-12 finish in 15 games dating back to last season. The efficiency isn't there, and the Vikings just aren't looking his way in the red zone. Honestly, you might be better off streaming a guy like Theo Johnson or Juwan Johnson if you're looking for a touchdown.
Strategic Moves for Your Roster
If you are struggling with the week 10 te rankings, stop looking for the next superstar and start looking for the next "target hog." In 2025, volume is the only thing that matters.
- Check the Saints Situation: With Rashid Shaheed out of the picture, Juwan Johnson has seen his targets spike. He’s got a great matchup against a Panthers defense that is dead last in DVOA against tight ends.
- Watch the Rookie Snap Counts: Guys like Theo Johnson (Giants) are starting to see the field more than the veterans. Johnson has scored double digits in four of his last six. He's a perfect fill-in if you're dealing with a bye.
- Don't Chase Past Points: Just because Mark Andrews had a decent week recently doesn't mean he's back. Most of his production came on two touchdowns. His target share is still frighteningly low compared to Isaiah Likely.
The tight end position in 2026 isn't about finding a Hall of Famer; it's about finding the guy who will get you 8 to 10 points so you don't lose your matchup because of a zero. Focus on the matchups against the Colts, Panthers, and Commanders—those are the gold mines for TEs right now.
Next Steps for Your Lineup:
- Verify Kincaid’s status 90 minutes before kickoff; if he's out, move Dawson Knox into your starting slot immediately.
- Scour your waiver wire for Juwan Johnson or Theo Johnson if you are currently starting a struggling veteran like Hockenson.
- Prioritize targets over touchdowns when deciding between two mid-tier options, as touchdown variance is at an all-time high this season.