2026 Dynasty Tight Ends on the Verge of a Breakout | BUY NOW!

by Wyatt Bertolone · Featured

In fantasy football, the tight end position divides managers into two groups: the haves and have-nots. There are always a few that separate themselves from the others in any given season, but most relevant tight ends stay within a few points per game of one another. Having one in the latter group is fine if you paid less for them.

Here, I’ve got five tight ends deserving of your attention who can enter that group at a low price point and see their value (and pricing) increase beginning in 2026.

PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out.

TEs at a Bargain… for a Limited Time Only

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Washington Commanders

Chigoziem Okonkwo looked like he might be the next great playmaker at the position when he flashed at the end of his rookie season in Tennessee. In his last six games of that campaign, Okonkwo scored at least 10 PPR points in four of them. He showed explosiveness few tight ends possess, giving fantasy managers dreams of what he could become.

Okonkwo’s role increased in his second season, but not nearly to what we’d hoped it would. His last three seasons with the Titans were nearly identical, scoring between 6.7 and 7.9 PPR PPG with similar counting stats in each.

With his rookie contract up, the team let Okonkwo walk, and he signed with the Commanders for a quality contract of $27 million over three years. With the Commanders, Okonkwo will now be playing with one of the best young quarterbacks in the league, Jayden Daniels, and could become their second option in the passing game after Terry McLaurin, as Washington doesn’t have much for pass catchers. Okonkwo isn’t only set up to be a value; he could be a league winner in 2026.

Gunnar Helm, Tennessee Titans

Okonkwo’s former teammate, Gunnar Helm, now has a nice opportunity in front of him. The Titans have room for multiple receivers to gain opportunities. They drafted Carnell Tate and signed Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger, but Helm could earn enough to be worthwhile.

Tate will be the de facto No. 1 as a downfield threat, leaving room underneath. Robinson should be next in line, but Helm could be the clear third. Bellinger was signed because he has familiarity with the Brian Daboll offense and is more of an in-line blocker anyway. 

We prefer our tight ends to be a top-two target on their team, but Helm also has a couple of factors working in his direction. One is that the Titans are likely to be playing from behind often, forcing the offense to pass a lot. More pass attempts mean Helm needs less of a designed role to find value. Second, Helm is so inexpensive currently that even a streaming-tight-end-level performance would be a win for him. Helm doesn’t have a great ceiling; however, he can provide value to fantasy teams at rock-bottom cost and see his dynasty value rise this season.

Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins

A favorite sleeper of many fantasy managers since he entered the NFL, Greg Dulcich has only disappointed since his rookie season. In his first year, he surprised by averaging 8.6 PPR PPG, 17th at his position, in the 10 games he played. Dulcich had some intriguing metrics coming out of college (UCLA), so combined with his rookie season, many were rightfully excited.

Instead, Dulcich battled injuries, struggled to get on the field, bounced around teams, and finally landed in Miami in 2025. He played sparingly, beginning the season on the practice squad until Week 8, but was targeted at a high rate once on the field.

This offseason, the Dolphins re-signed the All-Pac 12 Bruin on a small $3.25 million, one-year contract. That money doesn’t get you excited for Dulcich, but the lack of weapons around him does. The Dolphins easily have the worst cast of pass catchers in the NFL. He’ll be battling the likes of Malik Washington, Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and two rookies in Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas. None of them project enough to warrant a high target share. Dulcich could end up as the Dolphins’ top pass-catcher in 2026, and be a massive value.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams

Terrance Ferguson was a productive and highly athletic tight end entering the NFL out of Oregon. Drafted in the second round by the Rams, he joined an already crowded room, but was easily the best athlete.

Ferguson’s rookie season was a unique one. He was used primarily as a downfield threat out of multiple tight end sets for the Rams, evidenced by his Average Depth for Target (aDOT) of 18.6 and his leading all tight ends in deep targets. He earned only 25 targets on the season, but had an impressive 9.2 yards per target. 

The Rams tight end room got even more crowded this offseason with the addition of Max Klare (Ohio St.), who was also drafted in the second round. This made Ferguson’s future even more clouded. However, this tight end room may not be as messy as it seems. Tyler Higbee is at the end of his career and offers little. Colby Parkinson is a free agent after this season and is an average player. Klare still needs to learn the offense. Why can’t Ferguson take on a larger role as the most athletic playmaker among them who’s actually part of the future plans?

Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

People forget that Michael Mayer was a good prospect entering the NFL because his classmates overshadowed his rookie season, and Brock Bowers fell into the Raiders’ lap the next year. Mayer scored only 5.1 PPR PPG as a rookie on a bad Raiders team, and then Bowers entered the picture, and Mayer became an afterthought. In 2025, though, Mayer did get to show off some ability in games where Bowers was injured. In the four games Mayer played in which Bowers didn’t, he averaged 10.9 PPR PPG.

Picking a backup tight end like Mayer as a player to gain dynasty value this season may not make sense on the surface, but there are a couple of reasons why. After Bowers, the Raiders have a dearth of pass catchers. Mayer has an argument for being the best option after Bowers. Additionally, the Raiders are projected to operate out of 12 personnel, with Bowers and Mayer on the field at the same time often in 2026. It’s a staple of Klint Kubiak’s offense, and it makes sense for the Raiders.

Mayer could also gain dynasty value this season as managers propel him forward as he’s in the last year of his rookie contract. This time next year, Mayer could be on a new team with a golden opportunity.


For more articles from PlayerProfiler, check out the fantasy home page – NFL Fantasy | PlayerProfiler – Fantasy Football News & Media