Fantasy Rankings are here!

By Martin Richardson

I’m starting my rankings of 2026 with arguably one of the hardest positions to grade and rank, the tight ends. Now the reason I say this is because there are some players who will be major players on their team’s offense and be involved in every offensive drive; but there are others who will have one or two major plays, just ask someone like AJ Barner for the Seahawks last season.

In part one, I’ll look at 25-13, where there will be some decent sleeper targets and value pick ups for those deeper leagues.

Let’s go!

25. GREG DULCICH

Starting with a bit of a hot take here, but the more I looked at situations and how players would benefit from coaches or talent around them, the more I think that Dulcich could play a big part for the Miami Dolphins. They don’t have a top WR option, with their first fantasy relevant WR being Malik Washington ranging in the WR70’s, and Achane can’t take all the receptions. Therefore someone like Dulcich could be in line for a upturn in his fantasy outlook. Looking at how he ended 2025, with over 40 yards per game from week 14 and a touchdown against the Bucs, this should increase now that he has little competition on the field.

24. TERRANCE FERGUSON/COLBY PARKINSON

2 for the price of one, why not. I’ll be honest, a lot of people have Ferguson as the main man in 2026 for the Rams, with him appearing as one of the top breakout candidates for 2026. But, it is so hard to ignore just how productive Parkinson was in the TE heavy sets that McVay ram last year. With 8 touchdowns, I don’t understand why talking heads have Parkinson so far down rankings, as well as Ferguson so high in comparison. Both could end up cancelling each other out, but there is certainly scope for both to be productive. This is a real coin flip. Just hope it lands the right way up for your fantasy prospects.

23. juwan JOHNSON

At 29, Johnson is certainly a veteran to fantasy players and the Saints alike. Given that the Saints have drafted Jordan Tyson at WR and still have Chris Olave as the main catching option, not to mention RB addition Travis Etienne, and a new deal for ageing RB Alvin Kamara, I do wonder just how important Johnson will be for the Saints in 2026. He will no doubt fall into the waiver wire conversation throughout the season if he has one or two solid games.

22. GUNNER HELM

I think we could see Helm move up the rankings now that he is the main TE for the Titans. Losing Chig Okonkwo allows for Helm to build on his near 400 yards and 2 touchdowns. Even with the addition of Carnell Tate in round one of the 2026 draft, I still think Helm is in line for an increase in targets this season. He’s on my radar to be a bit of a late round stash and steal if he reaches that potential.

21. aj barner

Barner could be in line for a great season. The Seahawks can’t give the ball the JSN all the time and Barner showed glimpses of what he can do when given the chance. He ended the season well, even with the addition of Rasheed Shaheed to their offence, which means Barner has a place on this offense going into 2026. Just keep an eye on how much volume he gets, as with most TEs who are low on this list, that is the only reason he could remain a TE2 on fantasy rosters.

20. Kenyon sadiq

First round TE picks are a little up and down, ranging from TJ Hokenson in 2019 by the Lions, to OJ Howard by the Bucs in 2017. Sadiq joins such names after a stellar final year in college where he had 8 touchdowns. Add this to an elite combine and he lands at the New York Jets who are very much on an offensive rebuild, drafting Omar Cooper as well Sadiq in R1 of the draft. For Sadiq, he has the talent to be a real playmaker for the Jets, it will just be how soon he gets the chance to be that. A little preseason hernia injury may deter people to take him, so it may be worth stashing on your bench as someone who has plenty of upside as the season progresses.

19. chig okonkwo

Okonkwo flashed in a bad Titans team (could be anyone here to be honest who has played for the Titans in recent times) but now he has the chance to be a solid asset for a team who don’t have many of those at the moment. With recently signed Stefon Diggs being the latest addition to a sparse WR room, Okonkwo stands to make an immediate impact for the Commanders in 2026. He could well be a steal as ESPN have him as only having 2 touchdowns and way down their rankings. I can’t see how he doesn’t have a solid to great first season in Washington.

18. tj hockenson

Life comes at you fast if you are a TE and this is no different for TK Hockenson, after a great 2023 season was curtailed by bad injury, he has never really hot the same heights and injury does make me wonder if we will ever see the same top level of performance again from him. However, with the like of Justin Jefferson always commanding a double team presence, and both Jordan Addison and Juwan Jennings on the field, maybe the pitch opens up once more for the veteran TE to be an effective fantasy option once more.

17. Oronde gadsden II

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FantasyPros are not keen on Gadsden II in 2026, having him as the TE17 and a high bust candidate. I can see why as new OC Mike McDaniel uses his TE in very specific way, blocking first to allow his running backs to feast (Hampton dynasty players rejoice). But, some people have said that McDaniel needs to vary up what he does now that he is back as an OC, so now that he has Gadsden II instead of Durham Smythe and Julian Hill, hopefully he can replicate what he did with Jonnu Smith in Miami. However, sticking to type McDaniel has brought along Alec Ingold and added David Njoku to continue the 12/22 personnel. Watch with caution as he heads into 2026.

16. dalton kincaid

In a situation over the past couple of seasons where there was a lack of wide receivers Dalton Kincaid still didn’t show that elite potential that has been spoken about throughout his short career. He never even had more than 5 targets in a game in 2025 and I doubt that increases in 2026 now that they finally added a solid WR (DJ Moore). He naturally has that upside, but those lack of targets leave me wondering just how productive he will be with Joe Brady at the helm.

15. brenton strange

In Jacksonville, the talented Strange falls victim to the fact that there are many mouths to feed  on the offense, but he is a very safe pair of hands for Trevor Lawrence as long as he stays healthy. A new deal for him this off season shows his value in the offense. I was high on him last season and he certainly has my attention heading into 2026. ESPN have him getting more than the 3 touchdowns he got in 2025, which I think he will with ease, if healthy. But, that consistency is going to be crucial with so many WR on the roster.

14. travis kelce

In this offense, Kelce will still get some return; in 2026, it just won’t be elite like the past. His efficiency was down last year and so was that consistency in the endzone, finishing with only 5 touchdowns. This is not the same return that fantasy players have come to rely on so much down the years. Mahomes is back from his first big injury, so that is also one to watch in all this as well. This is definitely the season to keep an eye on how Noah Gray is utilised in this offense.

13. Jake ferguson

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I finish part one here with a player who emerged as a top offensive option due to injuries to others. Jake Ferguson benefitted from the injury to CeeDee Lamb with an increase in targets and touchdowns, where he finished with 8 at the end of the season. But when both Lamb and Pickens were on the field, his target share did decrease to a mere 15%. This is certainly one to watch when drafting Ferguson, as both Lamb and Pickens are rarely off the field.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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