To help wrap our NFL positional rankings, we are moving onto the tight end position, which has a healthy mix of young and old talent. While there are plenty of household names in our 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings, it feels like this season is when the changing of the guard officially happens.
While the likes of Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta, and others will see their names on this list, there are plenty of different ways to go when ranking the others. Are there any names missing from this list? How would you rank the tight end position heading into the 2024 NFL season?
15. Dalton Schultz
2023 Stats – 59 receptions, 635 receiving yards, 5 TDs
While still a trusted pass catcher in the Houston offense, the Texans’ Dalton Schultz likely will see his role take a step back for this next season. Helping kick off our 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings, Schultz has been one of the more consistent tight ends in the league over the past five seasons.
While showing a rapport with C.J. Stroud, Schultz recorded his second-highest season receiving yardage total in 2023, but that might be his ceiling in the new-look Houston offense. With the emergence of Nico Collins and Tank Dell, plus adding Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, the days of Schultz being a top-three receiver in this offense look to be gone.
2024 Projections – 48 receptions, 546 receiving yards, 4 TDs
14. Pat Freiermuth – Pittsburgh Steelers
2023 Stats – 32 receptions, 308 receiving yards, 2 TDs
The tight end role in Pittsburgh has had some really good names attached to it, and while Pat Freiermuth may not be in the same echelon as Heath Miller and others, he has been fairly solid over his three-year career. With his best season coming in 2022 (732 yards), 2024 could be another solid season for the Muth.
With Diontae Johnson shipped off to Carolina and no real replacement found, Freiermuth could reprise a larger role in this offense, alongside George Pickens. Catching passes from Russell Wilson, at least to start the season, might lower Freiermuth’s impact at the start of the season, but if Justin Fields ever takes over, expect his target share to rise.
2024 Projections – 61 receptions, 654 receiving yards, 6 TDs
13. Jake Ferguson – Dallas Cowboys
2023 Stats – 71 receptions, 761 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Having taken on a larger role as the season progressed, the 2023 NFL season was an impressive sophom*ore campaign for Jake Ferguson. With the Dallas Cowboys desperately needing to find Dak Prescott a second target, Ferguson stepped up in a big way.
Michael Gallup is no longer in the receiver room, leaving CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks scooping up targets. Ferguson is in line for another big year, and if his three-TD game against Green Bay in last year’s playoffs is any sign, he will be a red zone magnet again.
2024 Projections – 65 receptions, 708 receiving yards, 7 TDs
12. Cole Kmet – Chicago Bears
2023 Stats – 73 receptions, 719 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Having weathered the storm that was the Chicago Bears offense in 2023, Cole Kmet actually was one of their bright spots. As a consistent target for Fields, Kmet enjoyed career bests all across the board.
But flash forward to 2024, and Kmet has a lot more competition for targets, as DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and even rookie Rome Odunze could be ahead of him. Kmet’s talent is hard to ignore, as is his health, but be aware that this upcoming season could see a dip in Kmet’s stats.
2024 Projections – 59 receptions, 623 receiving yards, 4 TDs
11. Dallas Goedert – Philadelphia Eagles
2023 Stats – 59 receptions, 592 receiving yards, 3 TDs
It’s been a fairly consistent six-year career for Dallas Goedert, and the Philadelphia Eagles have been happy with his production so far. Even with both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith established as top targets, Goedert is still a big factor in this offense.
Even with Saquon Barkley joining this group this season, expect Goedert to put up similar stats as last season. Having missed some time with a forearm fracture last year, Goedert still put up solid numbers, so expect more of the same moving forward.
2024 Projections – 63 receptions, 684 receiving yards, 4 TDs
10. Dalton Kincaid – Buffalo Bills
2023 Stats – 73 receptions, 673 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Having established himself right out of the gate for the Buffalo Bills, Dalton Kincaid is looking to build off of a strong rookie campaign. With Diggs no longer with the Bills and only Keon Coleman and Curtis Samuel were added this offseason, Kincaid could very well be this team’s leading receiver in 2024.
While that is a bold claim, the Josh Allen-led offense will have a different identity this season. If Kincaid can earn 91 targets in last year’s offense, just think of big of an impact he could earn this season.
2024 Projections – 82 receptions, 843 receiving yards, 6 TDs
9. Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
2023 Stats – 53 receptions, 667 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Could this season finally be the year of Kyle Pitts?
Checking in at ninth on our 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings, Pitts has been one of the most talked-about prospects ever since he joined the league back in 2021. Having suffered through endless QB disasters, being able to catch passes from Kirk Cousins should feel like a walk in the park.
Pitts did his best with what was around him, but having a solid signal caller will help. Cousins is a known TE fan, which puts Pitts in line to finally use all of his talent in an offense that suits him.
2024 Projections – 73 receptions, 873 receiving yards, 5 TDs
8. T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
2023 Stats – 95 receptions, 960 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Having torn his ACL and MCL on Christmas Eve 2024, the odds of T.J. Hockenson having a big impact this season isn't high. With an unknown timetable for his return, even if he steps back out onto the field, it’s unlikely he would be at 100 percent.
It’s really a shame too, because Hockenson just came off one of his best professional seasons, falling just short of a 1,000-yard campaign. Having shown his talent both with the Lions and Vikings, Hockenson should be able to replicate this success when he is back at full strength, but knowing when that will be is tough.
2024 Projections – 48 receptions, 521 receiving yards, 3 TDs
7. George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
2023 Stats – 65 receptions, 1,020 receiving yards, 6 TDs
George Kittle comes in at seventh on our 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings, and he continues to be a key piece in the 49ers offense. Asked to do pretty much anything in the Kyle Shanahan offense, Kittle continues to produce.
A 1K season last year marks the third time in his career (first since 2019) that he crossed the century mark, as both his health and relationship with Brock Purdy were on full display. With some questions surrounding the futures of both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, Kittle should be able to produce another solid season – but as he crosses the age-30 threshold, injury likelihood only increases.
2024 Projections – 60 receptions, 879 receiving yards, 5 TDs
6. David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
2023 Stats – 81 receptions, 882 receiving yards, 6 TDs
An impressive showing from David Njoku last season was surprising, especially with the evolving QB situation with the Browns. Having caught passes from Deshaun Watson, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Joe Flacco in 2023, Njoku was able to showcase his talent, regardless of the situation.
With Watson likely coming back near full strength, Njoku’s impact on the offense will be felt again. Cleveland did add Jerry Jeudy this offseason to be Amari Cooper’s running mate, but don’t expect that move to take much work away from Njoku, as he is one of the best in the game right now.
2024 Projections – 71 receptions, 796 receiving yards, 5 TDs
5. Trey McBride – Arizona Cardinals
2023 Stats – 81 receptions, 825 receiving yards, 3 TDs
It was quite the rookie season that Trey McBride put together last year in Arizona, stepping up to be Kyler Murray’s top target. With no real help at WR last season, McBride showed that he can stretch the field and be the QB’s best friend, all at once.
With the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., this offense will certainly change a bit, likely tailoring more work towards their rookie starlet. But McBride certainly should be the second target in line for Murray, which means a sizable workload is on its way yet again.
2024 Projections – 76 receptions, 804 receiving yards, 5 TDs
4. Evan Engram – Jacksonville Jaguars
2023 Stats – 114 receptions, 963 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Having led the tight end position in receptions last season, Evan Engram was a force to be reckoned with in the Jacksonville offense. Even with both Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk, Engram was excellent as one of Trevor Lawrence’s top targets.
With Ridley gone and both Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. brought in as replacements, expect Engram to take on another big role in the offense. His size and agility is hard for any defense to stop, regardless of where he lines up – it wouldn’t be surprising to see Engram sniff the 1K mark in 2024, even if he does fall short.
2024 Projections – 91 receptions, 902 receiving yards, 4 TDs
3. Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
2023 Stats – 45 receptions, 544 receiving yards, 6 TDs
Even though he had his 2023 season cut short in Week 11 with an ankle injury, Mark Andrews was doing Mark Andrews things, yet again. As Lamar Jackson’s security blanket and favorite target, Andrews is the piece that makes this offense hum along, but he has to be on the field to be able to do that.
While all projections are built out with a full season in mind, there have only been two full seasons played by Andrews in his six-year career. Expecting a bounceback year from him does make sense, and he could even be looking at a double-digit TD campaign too.
2024 Projections – 73 receptions, 879 receiving yards, 10 TDs
2. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
2023 Stats – 93 receptions, 984 receiving yards, 5 TDs
With talks of a potential retirement announcement coming this offseason, Travis Kelce dispelled those rumores, re-upping for two more seasons with the Chiefs. While some of his off-field storyline have been more prevalent than what he does on the field at times, his production in 2023 is hard to ignore.
Falling just short of 1,000 receiving yards, Kelce put up another strong season. More of the same should be in store for the former Cincinnati Bearcat, as the offense around Kelce seems to be struggling to stay out of trouble.
2024 Projections – 93 receptions, 1,006 receiving yards, 7 TDs
1. Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions
2023 Stats – 86 receptions, 889 receiving yards, 10 TDs
It’s possible seeing Sam LaPorta at the top of our 2024 NFL TE Power Rankings isn’t surprising to you, but it will be to some. Having finished in the top five of many major receiving statistics, it is quite clear that LaPorta is here to stay.
Filling the role as Jared Goff’s second-favorite target, LaPorta was more than what Lions fans could have expected. With a bigger role likely in store for the former Iowa tight end, look for LaPorta to reprise a big-time target share in the Detroit offense as they look to re-establish themselves as a postseason threat in the NFC.
2024 Projections – 81 receptions, 874 receiving yards,7 TDs
