2023 Tight End Power Rankings
Join us as we explore the top 12 tight ends in fantasy football! If you’re determined to dominate your fantasy football league, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this article, we will dissect and rank the current tight-end stars based on their performance and potential for the upcoming season.
We aim to assist you in making well-informed decisions to secure a winning tight-end strategy for your fantasy team, covering both seasoned veterans and rising stars. This is done by analyzing their performances, targets, red zone opportunities, and their Consistency Score we hope to provide valuable insights to aid you in making informed decisions for your fantasy team.
Whether you are an experienced fantasy football veteran or a newcomer seeking an advantage, continue reading to discover the tight ends that are poised to deliver fantasy gold. Stay informed throughout the entire offseason with our 2023 fantasy football rankings available here.
1) Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce stands alone as the best tight end in the league, with no one surpassing his performance at the tight end position. His connection with a top-tier QB makes him an unparalleled fantasy option, making a significant impact on any fantasy team. Last season, he solidified his position as Patrick Mahomes’ go-to target, receiving 110 receptions on 152 targets, the sixth-highest in the league.
Obviously, when playing with Patrick Mahomes and a top-notch offensive system, Kelce enjoys a dream scenario. There are not enough words to describe the significant positional advantage that Kelce brings to a fantasy football team. He is the penultimate example of how big of an impact the “onesie” positions (quarterback and tight end) have in fantasy football have on weekly success.
2022 Consistency Score – 6.94 (1st)
2) Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews had a challenging season last year due to quarterback injuries and his own shoulder issue. Despite this, he led the team with 73 receptions, the second-highest in his career. He was among only four tight ends in the NFL with over 100 targets. In spite of the addition of OBJ and rookie receiver Zay Flowers, it seems likely he will achieve this feat for the third time in his career in 2023.
In addition, the shift in the offensive scheme from a conservative run-heavy approach to a spread offense under Todd Monken should benefit Andrews, as seen with Brock Bowers at Monken’s previous coaching position at the University of Georgia. More targets are expected to come his way, and he just might ascend to the heights he reached in 2021 when he was the TE1 on the year over Kelce.
2022 Consistency Score – 3.31 (8th)
3) T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson is expected to make a significant impact on the Vikings’ game plan. Since Justin Jefferson is their most vital offensive player, Kevin O’Connell must ensure he consistently receives the ball in positions to harm opponents. To achieve this, the Vikings need credible threats across their lineup, and Hockenson is set to be their primary threat.
It’s highly likely that he will receive more than 9 targets per game, an impressive number for a tight end. Last year, during his 7 games with the Vikings, Hockenson was targeted 86 times, averaging 12.3 targets per game which extrapolate to a remarkable 209 targets over a full season. That pace is unrealistic to expect him to hold for a full season, but he will be within the ballpark, making him a dangerous weapon for your fantasy squad.
2022 Consistency Score – 4.19 (3rd)
4) George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle consistently ranks as one of the NFL’s top all-around tight ends, placing TE4 or higher in fantasy football in four of the last five years. The only exception was in 2020, when he played only eight games, highlighting his only real concern, injuries. With the recent buzz about the full return of Brock Purdy as the signal caller in San Francisco, George Kittle has received a massive bump in my personal rankings.
In fact, the biggest question I had about this annual top 5 tight end was the quality and quantity of targets heading his way this year if Trey Lance were to start. From Weeks 15 to 18 in 2022, Purdy helped Kittle secure an impressive seven touchdowns in four games, finishing as either TE1 or TE2. Kittle’s remarkable upside while healthy makes him a highly valuable player not just in his position but throughout fantasy football.
2022 Consistency Score – 3.47 (6th)
5) Darren Waller – New York Giants
The New York Giants likely possess the NFL’s weakest wide receiver group. Although they made several off-season moves to improve this area, they still lack a reliable go-to option for quarterback Daniel Jones. Consequently, I expect Waller to dominate the team’s targets in 2023, potentially placing him among the league’s top performers.
Waller further stands out among tight ends, proving himself as a game-changer in the fantasy landscape with over 70 yards per game in 2019 and 2020. If he can keep good health this season, his potential is limitless.
2022 Consistency Score – 3.07 (9th)
6) Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
During Dallas Goedert’s five-year NFL career, the 2022 season followed the usual pattern of ups and downs. Unfortunately, persistent injuries once again hindered his consistent production each week. His potential was limited due to sharing the field with two alpha wide receivers while also being on a team that consistently had a strong lead going into the fourth quarter, making it challenging to reach the level of elite options in his position.
Meanwhile, looking ahead to the 2023 season, the Philadelphia Eagles are likely to participate in more close games, benefiting all three major pass catchers, including Goedert. He has every chance to deliver high-scoring weeks with improved touchdown opportunities, all while quietly being one of the most consistent players in fantasy football.
2022 Consistency Score – 4.44 (2nd)
7) Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
Regardless of injuries dealt with throughout 2022, Freiermuth managed to make an impact during his playing time. While he missed some games due to concussion warnings, he still ranked second on the team in targets and receptions. His stats included 63 catches for 732 yards (11.62 yards per catch) and two touchdowns.
Additionally, he secured nine catches of 20 yards or more and contributed 37 first downs, making him a valuable target for Pickett. As a former second-round draft pick from Penn State, Freiermuth is a dependable option in the Pittsburgh passing game and can be a solid addition to your fantasy teams this season.
2022 Consistency Score – 2.52 (13th)
8) Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
The optimistic outlook for Kyle Pitts hinges on the potential for improved play at the quarterback position. If Desmond Ridder outperforms Marcus Mariota’s efficiency in Atlanta, Arthur Smith might be inclined to increase Ridder’s passing attempts. This situation mirrors the slight boost in passing that occurred last season when Ridder replaced Mariota.
Pitts experienced unfortunate touchdown luck in his first year despite receiving numerous red zone and inside-the-10 targets. He had only one touchdown, which was an anomaly. It’s essential not to judge him solely based on this statistic, as crazy outliers can occur, as seen with Miles Sanders’ touchdown totals from 2021 to 2022. Pitts retains the exceptional talent that captivated us in 2021, which can be utilized to capitalize on any increase in his opportunities. This presents a real chance for Pitts to exceed the expectations of his current ADP.
2022 Consistency Score – 2.16 (20th)
9) David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
David Njoku, the 6’4″, 246-pound tight end for the Cleveland Browns, is set to have a breakout year alongside quarterback Deshaun Watson. The team is transitioning to a more pass-heavy approach, similar to the style used by the Tennessee Volunteers, team owner Jimmy Haslam’s alma mater. In fact, head coach Kevin Stefanski recently stated that “You don’t have to establish the run to throw“, a far cry from what a team typically associated with running the ball with Nick Chubb to derive success.
Moreover, Njoku’s performance in the 2022 season demonstrated promising consistency. Besides being a great pass-catcher, Njoku’s size, athleticism, and chemistry with Watson make him a valuable asset in the Browns’ passing game, making him a top fantasy target for tight ends.
2022 Consistency Score – 2.69 (12th)
10) Evan Engram – Jacksonville Jaguars
Engram proved he can still perform at a high level, ranking fifth in PPR points, targets, receptions, and yards among tight ends. Additionally, he tied for 11th in touchdowns. With the addition of target competition from WR Calvin Ridley this season, some might think it would affect Engram’s performance. However, the Jaguars mainly used 3-WR sets on first down just 54% of the time last year.
Ultimately this makes Ridley more of a challenge to Christian Kirk and Zay Jones than to Engram. Considering Jacksonville’s potential to increase their passing game from last season, Engram seems well-positioned to repeat his impressive performance with several matchup-winning spike weeks laden throughout.
2022 Consistency Score – 3.56 (5th)
11) Cole Kmet – Chicago Bears
Last season, Cole Kmet emerged as one of the Chicago Bears’ most reliable pass catchers, leading the team in targets, catches, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. Despite a slow start in 2022 with only five catches for 56 yards in the first four games, he managed to finish as TE8 in PPR fantasy scoring.
Following through to 2023, if Bears’ QB Justin Fields progresses as a passer, Kmet, in his age-24 season, could see further improvement upon what he accomplished last year. However, the addition of WR D.J. Moore to the Bears’ lineup might impact Kmet’s target ceiling.
2022 Consistency Score – 2.39 (18th)
12) Tyler Higbee – Los Angeles Rams
In spite of facing quarterback rotations due to an injury to Matthew Stafford, Higbee secured the overall TE9 position in 2022, all while only scoring three touchdowns. Given his prominent role in an offense lacking playmakers, Tyler Higbee appears set to maintain a consistent performance and achieve an overall TE1 season once again.
Additionally, his reliable production in recent years makes him a valuable asset in fantasy football, and there are no indications of a change in his usage. With a full season of receiving a 20%+ target share from Matthew Stafford, Higbee is in line to emerge as a top 12 fantasy option once again for the 2023 season.
2022 Consistency Score – 2.72 (11th)
To summarize, the world of fantasy football is brimming with talented players at every position, including tight end. Throughout this article, we’ve looked at the top 12 tight ends, each with their own set of skills and strengths that can help your fantasy team beat out the competition on a week-to-week basis.
As you prepare for the upcoming season, keep your team’s needs and scoring format in mind when making your selections. Best wishes in your fantasy leagues and happy drafting!
Check out where these tight ends stack up in our up-to-date 2023 fantasy football rankings.
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