Fantasy Football Week 1 TE Rankings: Brock Bowers Leads Top-20 PPR Rankings
Here is Morgan's top-20 tight ends to consider for Week 1 fantasy football lineups in PPR leagues.
Let's keep the fantasy football rankings rolling by going over the tight end position!
We'll look at things from a PPR perspective here, and list my top-20 options! We already looked at quarterbacks, and will discuss wide receivers and running backs in stories to come, so check back for those!
Week 1 tight end fantasy projections can be found on FantasySP! Injury news, trade value charts and a Who Should I Start tool is also available!
1. Brock Bowers
I'll give Bowers the No. 1 ranking for Week 1. He faces the Dolphins.
Miami struggled to stop fantasy tight ends in 2025, and Bowers is a big part of the Raiders' offense already, so he could shine to kick off the season.
2. Trey McBride
Give me my favorite fantasy TE at No. 2 in McBride.
He faces the Chargers, who were one of the toughest fantasy tests for TEs last year. I still believe in McBride delivering big, because he's such a big part of the Cardinals' offense.
Loveland gets the nod at No. 3 heading into a matchup against the Panthers.
Carolina was an above-average matchup for TEs last season, and with Loveland being a big part of the Bears' offense, I see him putting up a big score in Week 1.
4. Tyler Warren
Warren and the Colts face the Ravens in Week 1.
Baltimore was tough on fantasy TEs last season, but have a new look in 2026. Warren should shine for the Colts with not many proven pass catchers around, so that's why he still ranks fourth for me.
Fannin opens his season taking on the Jaguars.
It's an above-average matchup based on last season. I like Fannin a lot, but his team's QB issues could hold him back, and lead to me only taking him fifth for Week 1.
6. Sam LaPorta
LaPorta and the Lions battle the Saints in Week 1.
LaPorta has been dealing with an injury, so watch news on his status carefully this week. It's a below-average matchup based on last year, but I like the Lions' offense enough to try the tight end.
Goedert gets a great matchup against the Commanders to kick off the season.
Washington was the second-most favorable test for a fantasy TE last season. Goedert should be a big part of the offense down A.J. Brown, and I have him as a top-10 option for the week.
Pitts has the Steelers for a Week 1 matchup.
Pittsburgh really struggled to slow tight ends a season ago, but QB issues in Atlanta hold Pitts back just a bit.
9. Tucker Kraft
Kraft returns to the field for a battle with division foe Minnesota in Week 1.
Minnesota was tough on tight ends last season, but Kraft was on his way to a breakout year, and I think he starts 2026 strong with a good Week 1 showing.
10. George Kittle
Kittle is coming off a big injury of his own, but is ready to go for a Week 1 clash with the Rams.
LA was pretty average against TEs last season, but definitely improved this offseason, so Kittle slips to the No. 10 spot for Week 1.
11. Travis Kelce
Kelce won't play until Monday night against the Broncos.
Denver was another average fantasy test for TEs last season, so maybe Kelce could surprise a bit in Week 1.
12. Dalton Kincaid
Kincaid lands my No. 12 ranking for Week 1. He will be facing the Texans on Sunday.
Houston was a slightly below-average fantasy test for tight ends last season. The Bills still need pass catchers to step up this year, so I like Kincaid's outlook enough to take him 12th overall.
13. Mark Andrews
Andrews plays on Sunday against the Colts.
Indy was below average when it came to slowing fantasy tight ends last year, so Andrews could surprise in Week 1, especially if he finds the end zone.
14. Juwan Johnson
Johnson gets the No. 14 spot in my rankings heading into a clash with the Lions.
Detroit was a slightly above-average fantasy matchup for TEs last year. Johnson should be a pretty big part of the team's offense, especially early on, so don't overlook him.
15. Jake Ferguson
Ferguson will take on the new-look Giants in Week 1.
I think he's been overlooked coming into the season, and could deliver pretty big for the Cowboys' offense. The matchup based on last year's numbers are below average, so we'll see if Ferguson can do enough to deliver a top-15 fantasy TE score by the end of the week.
16. Isaiah Likely
Let's go with the other starting TE in that matchup at No. 16 in Likely.
The Giants' TE has a below-average test against the Cowboys (based on last year), but with not many proven pass catchers on the offense, Likely could be a sneaky-good fantasy asset, starting in Week 1.
17. Hunter Henry
Henry and the Patriots open the season against the Seahawks. That game is on Wednesday night.
Seattle was a slightly above-average matchup for a fantasy TE last season. New England added to its offense this offseason, which overshadows Henry a bit, but I bet he delivers a bit in Week 1.
18. T.J. Hockenson
Hockenson will start his 2026 season against the Packers.
Green Bay was a below-average matchup for fantasy TEs last year, and with a new starting QB in Minnesota, this is as high as I can comfortably rank Hockenson.
19. Brenton Strange
Strange and the Jaguars get the Browns in Week 1.
That's a pretty average matchup based on last year. Jacksonville has several pass catchers on offense, which also hurts Strange's outlook.
20. Chig Okonkwo
I'll take a gamble with Okonkwo in the No. 20 spot. He gets the Eagles in Week 1.
I call it a gamble because Philly was the toughest fantasy test for a tight end last year. Washington needs pass catchers to step up, and I think Okonkwo could surprise, starting in Week 1.
