Fantasy Football Week 3 tight end rankings

The TE position is a necessary evil in fantasy football. Historically, it has never been a major component of a team’s offense, except in the running game, where it’s used for blocking. While there are always exceptions, for the most part, they aren’t offensive weapons.

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From a fantasy perspective, the drop-off is steep if you don’t have any of those exceptions. For example, last week the difference between the top-ranked TE and the 12th-ranked (Dalton Schultz and Mark Andrews) was 15.1 fantasy points.

Brock Bowers is not included in these rankings while we wait to see if he will even suit up this week. With that out of the way, here are this week’s tight end rankings.

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12. Tyler Warren-Colts:

Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (84) makes the catch against the Houston Texans during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

One of the many factors in making these weekly lists is the upcoming opponent. Most of the TEs on this list this week are playing against teams with awful defenses. While the Texans do not have an awful defense, they are only ranked 26th against the pass this year.

In a game that should see their front four pressuring Daniel Jones, look for Warren to get a ton of targets with short, quick routes.

11. Mark Andrews-Ravens:

Andrews is seventh in the league among TEs in receptions through Week 2. But he averages only 9.8 yds per catch. He has always been a safety net for Lamar Jackson and will be in this game vs. Dallas. Andrews will catch his first TD pass of the year on Sunday.

10. Pat Friermuth-Steelers:

Pittsburgh’s offense is atrocious. They have only scored 23 points this year, which is the worst in the AFC and second lowest in the league, only behind the Falcons. They have no threats in their WR room because DK Metcalf has turned into a pumpkin. By default, Freiermuth is one of their only options. Their opponent this week is the Bengals, in Pittsburgh.

The Bengals are only 27th against the pass, which Aaron Rodgers will need to exploit, in the form of Freiermuth. He has caught nine out of 10 targets and has one of the team’s few TDs this season.

9. Tucker Kraft-Packers:

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft is coming off ACL surgery, but is expected to be fully recovered for the start of the 2026 NFL season. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Kraft has only been targeted nine times this season, with five receptions through Week 2. His targets doubled from wk1 to wk2, going from three to six, and while he only caught three balls last Sunday, he averaged 21.7yds per reception.

They are home this week against an absolutely terrible Falcons team that gives up 27pts per game. In 2024, the last time Kraft was healthy, he caught 70 passes with seven TDs. He’ll get on the board this week, with his targets and receptions continuing to rise.

8. Isiah Likely-Giants:

John Harbaugh brought Likely with him from Baltimore, and it was one of the better offseason moves by any team. As the clear TE1, he is a difference maker for the Giants. He’s third in the league with 13 receptions and has two TDs.

The biggest issue will be how much his production goes down with Jaxson Dart out. Normally, the shorter and safer routes that are there for a TE will still be there, regardless of who is getting him the ball.

7. Juwan Johnson-Saints:

Johnson only has seven catches this year, but he’s fifth among TEs in receiving yards. And he has also added a TD. As his rapport continues to grow with Tyler Shough, the two could become the next QB/TE connection, up there with Brady and Gronk, and Mahomes and Kelce.

The Saints have a home matchup against the Raiders, who have Maxx Crosby wreaking havoc on opposing QBs. Johnson will need to be there for Shough, close by as a safety valve with short dump-off passes.

MORE:Fantasy Football injuries: Crucial updates entering Week 3

6. Trey McBride-Cardinals:

Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates with quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) after a touchdown during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

McBride has the most receptions and is fourth in receiving yds among all TEs. The Cardinals are in San Francisco this week, in a game which should see the Niners put up a ton of pts. McBride is the Cardinals’ greatest weapon and will build on his two-TD total.

5. Dalton Schultz-Texans:

Last week, Schultz had a monster game for the Texans…look for that production to continue this week in Indianapolis. The Colts rank dead last against the pass this season, and the Texans will exploit that. Schultz is currently second in both receptions and yards among TEs.

4. Travis Kelce-Chiefs:

I’ve quoted Eminem regarding Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs…now it’s time to include Kelce: “Guess who’s back, back again…”Kelce looks reborn. He’s like the six-million-dollar man…he’s faster and stronger than he was before.

He’s third in the league in yardage and is averaging 14.3 yds per reception. And he’s added a TD. He’s heading to Miami this week, and the Dolphins won’t pose much of a problem.

3. Sam LaPorta-Lions:

Sep 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) is tackled by New Orleans Saints safety Jonas Sanker (7) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

LaPorta has caught 11 of 15 targets this season and is seventh in receiving yds. The Lions have a home game this week at home against the Jets, who surprisingly have a strong defense out of the gate.

Their front four has been stout, which will open up opportunities for Goff to get the ball to LaPorta in the flat with short, quick routes.

2. George Kittle-49ers:

Anything involving the Niners has an asterisk next to it due to their trip to Australia. For Kittle, this week carries over from Week 2, when he caught four passes on four targets for 80 yds and a TD.

The 49ers are hosting the Cardinals, who gave up 31 points last week against the Seahawks. They won’t put up much of a fight in this matchup. Look for Kittle to have a big game.

1. Dalton Kincaid-Bills:

The Bills are home against the 0-2 Chargers, who are 29th against the pass. Josh Allen has so many weapons that, from week to week, production might not always be there for every player. But Kincaid is always Mr. Reliable for Allen.

This year, Kincaid has caught 12 of 14 targets and leads the league with 225 receiving yds. He should get 8-10 targets in this game, threaten 100 receiving yds again, and double his TD production from one to two.

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