2026 is home to a solid free agent group at the tight end position. A nice mix of productive veterans, intriguing younger options, and guys looking to bounce back from down seasons. Plenty of big names could be on the move when the market opens.
For a little bit, it looked like we were going to have 2025’s TE2 in fantasy football hit the open market. However, the Falcons wised up and slapped the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts, keeping him in Atlanta for at least one more season. That’s not bad for fantasy managers, though — Pitts should eat in new head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Opportunities and schemes matter a ton at this position, so keep track of where the rest end up, and let’s hope it’s to fantasy-friendly environments.
If you missed my rankings for other positions headed into free agency, never fear. You can check those out right here: Quarterbacks | Running Backs
Without further ado, here are my top free agent TEs for 2026.
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2026 Free Agent Tight End Rankings
1. Dallas Goedert, Eagles
2025 was an interesting season for Dallas Goedert. Despite averaging a career-low 9.9 yards per reception (YPR) and reeling in only 591 yards, the long-time Eagle enjoyed a standout campaign.
That’s because he caught a career-high 60 receptions and scored 11 touchdowns, tops at the position. Goedert’s previous high in that department was five, way back in 2019. In fact, he scored just 12 total TDs from 2021-2024 combined before nearly matching that in one season. That massive influx of end zone trips powered Goedert to his best season from a fantasy perspective. He finished with 12.3 points per game (TE5) and 185.1 total fantasy points, good for seventh among all tight ends. Not too shabby for a guy whose average draft position (ADP) was TE16.
Dallas Goedert‘s Career Stats
Goedert just turned 31, so while he’s no spring chicken anymore, he’s not over the hill yet either. Based on last year, he still has plenty left in the tank. A return to Philadelphia makes a lot of sense for the South Dakota native, but other teams looking for a veteran at the position will be interested. In fantasy, no matter where he lands, Goedert will be drafted as a low-end TE1 for 2026. Just don’t expect double-digit scores again, and you’ll probably be satisfied with his production.
2. Isaiah Likely, Ravens
For a while, the consensus was that Isaiah Likely would take the baton from Mark Andrews and become Baltimore’s TE1 in 2026. The 25-year-old flashed on numerous occasions, with an athletic profile that suggested he could be a star in a full-time role. However, the Ravens re-signed Andrews with a three-year extension during the 2025 season, leaving Likely looking forward to free agency rather than a promotion.
Isaiah Likely‘s Advanced Metrics
Sadly, the 25-year-old is hitting the market coming off his worst season as a pro. A fractured foot suffered in the preseason caused him to miss the first three regular-season games, and he never quite got into a groove. He finished with just 307 receiving yards and one touchdown. The production was a far cry from the year prior, when Likely racked up 42 receptions for 477 yards and six scores while ranking as a TE1 in several efficiency metrics, including first downs per route run, yards per route run (YPRR), and target separation.
He will likely (pun intended) need to settle for a short prove-it deal, but should have no problem finding a new home. If he lands with a pass-happy offense as the clear top tight end, Likely will have low-end TE1 upside. He just needs to get the volume that’s been missing for the last four seasons playing alongside Andrews.
3. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
I’m including Travis Kelce here as a formality. He’s technically a free agent, but if he comes back for another season, there’s only one team he’ll sign with: the Chiefs. The 12-year veteran is no longer the undisputed alpha at the position, but he showed he still had what it takes to be a premium fantasy producer in 2025. He racked up 76 catches for 851 yards and five TDs. Not vintage Kelce, but he finished as TE8 in fantasy PPG (11.4) and TE3 in total points (193.2).
The Chiefs struggled last season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes went down late with a torn ACL. As a result, they missed the playoffs for the first time in ages. Maybe the future first ballot Hall of Famer decides he doesn’t want to go out like that and returns for one more crack at a title run. If Kelce is in a Chiefs uniform in 2026, he’s a good bet to deliver TE1 output once again — something he’s done on a per-game basis in every season of his illustrious career.
4. David Njoku, Browns
From 2022 to 2024, David Njoku put together a solid run. He finished top-eight in fantasy points per game in all three seasons, with a best of 13.5 fantasy PPG in 2024 (11 games). Then Harold Fannin Jr. showed up, and that was the beginning of the end for Njoku in Cleveland.
In 2025, Njoku had some knee issues and fell behind Fannin in the pecking order, finishing with only 33 receptions for 293 yards and four TDs — a far cry from what fantasy managers expected.
David Njoku‘s Athleticism Score
Physically, Njoku is still built like a guy who took the Super Soldier Serum, but it’s fair to wonder if some of his athleticism is starting to fade as he heads into his age-30 season. Over the past two seasons, he’s missed 11 games due to various injuries. His yards-per-reception has plummeted to an 8.2 average during that span. Maybe a change of scenery does him well, and he bounces back. The landing spot will be important, but Njoku could be a TE2 with some upside if he’s the second or third option in the passing game.
The Best of the Rest
- Cade Otton has enjoyed a nice run in Tampa Bay. He caught passes from Tom Brady during his rookie year and has been the Bucs’ TE1 for the past few seasons. He’s an every-down guy who never leaves the field — he led all tight ends in snap share each of the past three seasons. Tampa Bay’s coaches clearly trusted him. Over the past two seasons, Otton racked up 118 catches for 1,172 yards and five scores. If he goes somewhere that’s less crowded on offense, Otton could be a solid TE2 to have on your bench. A return to Tampa would limit his ceiling just a bit, as his targets will be capped.
- A bit undersized at 6’2” and 243 pounds, Chigoziem Okonkwo has been more promise than production through his first four NFL seasons. He’s shown glimpses of upside, but in the end, he’s been an underwhelming player for fantasy. Over the past three seasons, the former Maryland Terrapin has basically had the same stat line. Good for between 70-79 targets, 50-something catches, around 500 receiving yards, and one or two TDs. His 7.3 fantasy PPG last year was a career-high, but ranked just No. 26 at the position. He’s also not much of a blocker, and that can limit his playing time. Still, he’s durable and has never missed a game in his career. Okonkwo could be a TE2 in 2026 if he gets an uptick in targets with his new team.
- Noah Fant hasn’t come close to living up to his first-round draft capital. Lately, he seems to be trending in the wrong direction. He’s coming off his least productive season as a pro with only 34 receptions for 288 yards and three TDs. Still, he’s only 28 years old, and some of his efficiency metrics were quietly solid in 2025. Fant ranked first among tight ends in target separation (2.78), ninth in QBR per target (120.3), and a respectable 22nd in YPRR (1.48). We’ve seen him clear 600 yards in a season twice before. Maybe he can get back to TE2 production with more targets. The athleticism is still there; that makes Fant worth keeping an eye on.
