The Top 10 Tight Ends In The NFL For 2024
Updated: Aug 21
The tight end position is one of the most important in the NFL due to the responsibility of being an elite pass catcher and having to serve as a blocker. Some of the greatest tight ends in history served as a security blanket for their quarterbacks, think Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates. Here are the top 10 tight ends in the NFL for 2024.
Honorable Mentions
Dalton Kincaid, BUF
Dalton Schultz, HOU
Dallas Goedert, PHI
Cole Kmet, CHI
Brock Bowers, LVR
10: Jake Ferguson, DAL, Age: 25
Jake Ferguson broke out last season with the Dallas Cowboys by establishing himself as one of Dak Prescott's favorite targets. Ferguson is great after the catch and it seems like his targets will go up this season due to the Cowboys losing Michael Gallup and their star running back, Tony Pollard. Their run game doesn't look great coming into the year, so Ferguson will be even more valuable.
2023 Stats: 17 G, 71 Receptions, 761 Yards, 5 TD
Playoffs: 1 G, 10 Receptions, 93 Yards, 3 TD
Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl
9: Kyle Pitts, ATL, Age: 23
Kyle Pitts is incredibly talented, standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing nearly 250 pounds with great speed, and he's almost impossible to defend 1-on-1. Pitts hasn't been used properly since his rookie year where he posted over 1,000 yards. Now that the Falcons have Kirk Cousins and improved coaching, Pitts is in for an excellent year. He's not a good blocker, but he doesn't have to be. His value is all in the receiving game.
2023 Stats: 17 G, 53 Receptions, 667 Yards, 3 TD
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl
8: Evan Engram, JAX, Age: 29
Evan Engram was Trevor Lawrence's most reliable target last season as he caught over 100 passes and nearly broke 1,000 yards. Jacksonville doesn't have a clear number one receiver which helped Engram have an explosive year. He posted career highs in receptions and yards. These are the numbers fans expected from Engram back when he was a first round pick, and it's also great to see him staying healthy.
2023 Stats: 17 G, 114 Receptions, 963 Yards, 4 TD
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl
7: Trey McBride, ARI, Age: 24
Trey McBride broke out in his second season after being drafted in the second round in 2022. McBride led the Cardinals in receptions and receiving yards in 2023. He's established himself as a reliable target alongside rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr for Kyler Murray to throw to this season. McBride only started 12 of the 17 games last year so he may have eclipsed 1,000 yards had he started every game.
2023 Stats: 17 G, 81 Receptions, 825 Yards, 3 TD
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: N/A
6: David Njoku, CLE, Age: 28
Tight Ends usually take a bit of time to fully come into their own, and that's exactly what David Njoku did in his seventh NFL season. Njoku is an excellent athlete with great speed and leaping ability, which he uses to his advantage whenever he can. The Browns have finally found a way to use him to the best of his abilities, and it helps that he hasn't dealt with injuries lately. Njoku will continue to be one of the Deshaun Watson's favorite targets in 2024.
2023 Stats: 16 G, 81 Receptions, 822 Yards, 6 TD
Playoffs: 1 G, 7 Receptions, 93 Yards
Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl
5: T.J. Hockenson, MIN, Age: 27
T.J. Hockenson unfortunately tore his ACL last year in week 16. He is still on the PUP list but it seems he's ahead of schedule and may not miss too much time. Over the last two seasons, Hockenson has turned himself into one of the best tight ends in the NFL. He is a great mix of size and athleticism, making him a matchup nightmare, especially if a linebacker has the task of guarding him.
2023 Stats: 15 G, 95 Receptions, 960 Yards, 5 TD
Playoffs: N/A
Accolades: 2x Pro Bowl
4: Mark Andrews, BAL, Age: 28
Mark Andrews has dealt with injuries over his career, but when healthy he is always a candidate to make the All-Pro Team. Andrews is by far Lamar Jackson's favorite target because of his great size and sure hands. The Ravens like to run sets with multiple tight ends, but Andrews is still among the best of the best. If he can stay healthy the whole year, the Ravens may finally win the Super Bowl they have been competing for.
2023 Stats: 10 G, 45 Receptions, 544 Yards, 6 TD
Playoffs: 1 G, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards
Accolades: 3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro
3: Sam LaPorta, DET, Age: 23
Sam LaPorta showed the NFL he's a true star and that he will be one of the top tight ends for many years. He made the All-Pro 2nd Team and the Pro Bowl, and he did all of this as a rookie. LaPorta is a good athlete and has a knack for getting into the end zone. The Lions now have an excellent offense that includes Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and LaPorta. The Lions are serious contenders in the NFC for 2024.
2023 Stats: 17 G, 86 Receptions, 889 Yards, 10 TD
Playoffs: 3 G, 21 Receptions, 176 Yards, 1 TD
Accolades: 1x Pro Bowl
2: Travis Kelce, KC, Age: 34
Travis Kelce is still one of the most important players in the NFL because he is the main target for Patrick Mahomes during back to back Super Bowl wins. Kelce is getting older but he's still elite and as reliable as they come. The Chiefs are going to continue to keep Kelce as healthy as they can, and that means he may sit a good amount on running plays. His numbers may be down from his prime, but he's still going to be excellent until he calls it a career.
2023 Stats: 15 G, 93 Receptions, 984 Yards, 5 TD
Playoffs: 4 G, 32 Receptions, 355 Yards, 3 TD
Accolades: 9x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro, 3x SB Champ
1: George Kittle, SF, Age: 30
George Kittle put together the best tight end season out of anyone in 2023 even though he had to share targets with the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel. Kittle is an incredible athlete with great speed and is an unbelievable blocker, in fact he's the best blocker at the position. He also posted an absurd 15.7 yards per reception which was easily the best among tight ends.
2023 Stats: 16 G, 65 Receptions, 1,020 Yards, 6 TD
Playoffs: 3 G, 8 Receptions, 112 Yards, 1 TD
Accolades: 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
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