Last year’s NFL rookie tight end class might go down as one of the best in league history. Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren were top-15 picks in the 2025 NFL Draft and went on to have excellent rookie seasons for their team and fantasy football players. Meanwhile, several other non-first-round tight ends had productive rookie seasons.
Harold Fannin Jr. was the star of the non-first-round tight ends, finishing second among rookies in receiving yards (731) and first in receiving touchdowns (six). Meanwhile, Mason Taylor, Gunnar Helm and Oronde Gadsden II each made a significant impact as rookies.
Unfortunately, the 2026 tight end draft class has a significantly different outlook. Not only does the draft class lack the superstar upside at the top, but it also doesn’t have the depth of last year’s unit. Six tight ends were drafted in the top 67 picks last year. The 2026 class will likely have four or fewer tight ends drafted in the top 100 picks.
- 2026 NFL Draft Guide
- 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
Top 10 Fantasy Football Rookie Tight Ends
Let’s look at the top 10 rookie tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft.
TE1: Kenyon Sadiq (TE – Oregon)
The one tight end fantasy players should get excited for is Kenyon Sadiq. The former Oregon star isn’t an elite prospect like Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. However, most scouts have a higher opinion of him than the rest of the 2025 tight end draft class.
More importantly, Sadiq is a first-round lock and potentially a top-15 pick. After splitting snaps with Terrance Ferguson in 2024, Sadiq was Oregon’s go-to option in the passing game in 2025, leading the team in receptions (51) and touchdowns (eight) while finishing second in receiving yards (719).
TE2: Eli Stowers (TE – Vanderbilt)
While Kenyon Sadiq is the clear-cut top tight end of this year’s draft class, Eli Stowers is an underrated prospect. He has been one of the top tight ends in college football since transferring to Vanderbilt, totaling 111 receptions for 1,407 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over the past two years, earning at least an 85.3 Pro Football Focus (PFF) receiving grade in both seasons.
Furthermore, Stowers is still learning how to play the position after spending part of his career playing quarterback. He was Diego Pavia‘s favorite target, as his 62 receptions led the team last season.
TE3: Max Klare (TE – Ohio State)
Last season, Max Klare transferred to Ohio State after spending most of his college career at Purdue. He became a reliable target for Julian Sayin, totaling 43 receptions for 448 receiving yards and two touchdowns despite having to fight for targets behind Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate.
By comparison, Klare had 73 receptions for 881 yards and four touchdowns in 19 career games at Purdue. The former Ohio State star isn’t an elite prospect, but he is a capable blocker and someone who can make plays, especially against zone coverage.
TE4: Jack Endries (TE – Texas)
Jack Endries is the fourth tight end on this list and the last one I expect to get picked before the third day of the NFL Draft. After spending two years at California, Endries transferred to Texas last season, hoping to become a Day 1 NFL Draft pick.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen as he had 33 receptions for 346 receiving yards and three touchdowns, setting a career low in yards. However, Endries is still a potential NFL starter, capable of putting pressure on defenses downfield, especially against linebackers and slower safeties.
TE5: Michael Trigg (TE – Baylor)
Sometimes players take a few years before producing in college. Michael Trigg is one of those players. After totaling 58 receptions for 725 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over his first four seasons in college, the former Baylor star broke out in 2025.
Trigg had 50 receptions for 694 receiving yards and six touchdowns, setting career highs in every category. Trigg is a matchup problem for opposing defenses thanks to his physical ability to create space against most defenders. He is also a solid playmaker, especially after the catch.
The Rest of the Top 10
- TE6: Justin Joly (TE – NC State)
- TE7: Sam Roush (TE – Stanford)
- TE8: Marlin Klein (TE – Michigan)
- TE9: Josh Cuevas (TE – Alabama)
- TE10: Tanner Koziol (TE – Houston)
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
