Complete 2026 NFL Draft TE Rankings:
You are currently viewing our tight end rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft. The 2026 TE class doesn’t have too many big names, but can a few key sleepers save the class?
Our top tight end prospects are ranked after thousands of hours carefully scouting the best receivers and blockers in college football. Even though only about 15 will get selected in the draft, dozens are signed as free agents, and many more receive a training camp invite.
We’ll provide you with inside information to help you know which tight ends will be stars, who will be a bust, and which sleepers will shock the world.
BNB Football is the best place for in-depth analysis of 2026 NFL draft tight end prospects at all levels of college football. To view other positions, follow the links below.
(Last Updated: April 21, 2025)
1. Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
TE | 6’4″ | 235 lbs | 5th Year
Eli Stowers Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Eli Stowers 2024 Stats
13 games: 638 receiving yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, 13.0 yards per catch, 27.5% receiving yardage accounted for
2. Jack Endries, Texas
TE | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 3rd Year
Jack Endries Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Jack Endries 2024 Stats
13 games: 623 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 11.1 yards per catch, 18.5% receiving yardage accounted for
3. Joe Royer, Cincinnati
TE | 6’5″ | 255 lbs | 5th Year
Joe Royer Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Joe Royer 2024 Stats
12 games: 521 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 10.4 yards per catch, 18.4% receiving yardage accounted for
4. Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
TE | 6’3″ | 245 lbs | 3rd Year
Kenyon Sadiq Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Kenyon Sadiq 2024 Stats
14 games: 308 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 12.8 yards per catch, 7.9% receiving yardage accounted for
5. John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming
TE | 6’5″ | 245 lbs | 5th Year
John Michael Gyllenborg Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
John Michael Gyllenborg 2024 Stats
9 games: 425 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 14.2 yards per catch, 18.7% receiving yardage accounted for
6. Oscar Delp, Georgia
TE | 6’5″ | 245 lbs | 4th Year
Oscar Delp Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Oscar Delp 2024 Stats
14 games: 248 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 11.8 yards per catch, 6.3% receiving yardage accounted for
7. Jack Velling, Michigan State
TE | 6’5″ | 245 lbs | 4th Year
Jack Velling Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Jack Velling 2024 Stats
12 games: 411 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 11.4 yards per catch, 15.7% receiving yardage accounted for
8. Max Klare, Ohio State
TE | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 4th Year
Max Klare Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Max Klare 2024 Stats
12 games: 685 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 13.4 yards per catch, 31.0% receiving yardage accounted for
9. RJ Maryland, SMU
TE | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 4th Year
RJ Maryland Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
RJ Maryland 2024 Stats
7 games: 359 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns, 15.0 yards per catch, 9.8% receiving yardage accounted for
10. Lawson Luckie, Georgia
TE | 6’4″ | 240 lbs | 3rd Year
Lawson Luckie Preseason Scouting Report
Coming soon.
Lawson Luckie 2024 Stats
14 games: 348 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns, 14.5 yards per catch, 8.8% receiving yardage accounted for
Complete 2026 NFL Draft Tight End Rankings
| RANK | NAME | SCHOOL | AGE | HT | WT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eli Stowers | Vanderbilt | 5th | 6'4" | 235 |
| 2 | Jack Endries | Texas | 3rd | 6'4" | 240 |
| 3 | Joe Royer | Cincinnati | 5th | 6'5" | 255 |
| 4 | Kenyon Sadiq | Oregon | 3rd | 6'3" | 245 |
| 5 | John Michael Gyllenborg | Wyoming | 5th | 6'5" | 245 |
| 6 | Oscar Delp | Georgia | 4th | 6'5" | 245 |
| 7 | Jack Velling | Michigan State | 4th | 6'5" | 245 |
| 8 | Max Klare | Ohio State | 4th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 9 | RJ Maryland | SMU | 4th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 10 | Lawson Luckie | Georgia | 3rd | 6'4" | 240 |
| 11 | Luke Hasz | Ole Miss | 3rd | 6'3" | 240 |
| 12 | Michael Trigg | Baylor | 5th | 6'3" | 240 |
| 13 | Miles Kitselman | Tennessee | 5th | 6'5" | 255 |
| 14 | Tanner Koziol | Houston | 4th | 6'7" | 235 |
| 15 | Justin Joly | NC State | 4th | 6'3" | 235 |
| 16 | Matt Lauter | Boise State | 5th | 6'3" | 240 |
| 17 | Chamon Metayer | Arizona State | 5th | 6'4" | 255 |
| 18 | Bauer Sharp | Oklahoma | 5th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 19 | Jordan Dingle | South Carolina | 5th | 6'4" | 240 |
| 20 | Garrett Oakley | Kansas State | 4th | 6'5" | 235 |
| 21 | Lake McRee | USC | 5th | 6'4" | 250 |
| 22 | Jelani Thurman | Ohio State | 3rd | 6'6" | 260 |
| 23 | Johncarlos Miller II | Texas Tech | 5th | 6'5" | 240 |
| 24 | Benjamin Brahmer | Iowa State | 3rd | 6'7" | 250 |
| 25 | Will Kacmarek | Ohio State | 5th | 6'6" | 255 |
| 26 | Jacob Petersen | Holy Cross | 5th | 6'4" | 250 |
| 27 | Jake Overman | Pittsburgh | 6th | 6'4" | 245 |
| 28 | Cole Rusk | Illinois | 5th | 6'5" | 250 |
MORE NFL DRAFT RANKINGS
Traits That Make a Tight End Prospect Great
The tight end position is historically undervalued given how much they’re asked to do. Ideally, you’re looking for a prospect who helps as a blocker and receiver. Fluidity, hands, and blocking technique are among some of the most important factors to consider when scouting the top tight end prospects.
Some of the factors we consider when scouting are included below.
Fluidity
Fluidity is currently the most popular thing to look for in an elite tight end prospect. When you look at guys like Travis Kelce and George Kittle, they don’t have blazing speed or great underneath quickness. They’re just smooth movers with good core flexibility. You know it when you see it, and it isn’t coachable.
Hands/Catch Radius
Receiving is generally a more popular trait than blocking for tight ends in the draft, and you need to be able to catch the ball with a wide radius. They’re often the biggest target on the field, and require soft hands and the ability to be a red zone threat.
Blocking Aggression
Ideally a tight end enters the league with the blocking ability of an offensive tackle, but that doesn’t happen. Instead what scouts usually look for is an aggression with their blocking. Willingness to block is stage 1, the strength to maintain blocks is stage 2, and if they have those traits, they can usually be taught better form to hold up.
Route Running / Separation
Fluidity may aid in separation against linebackers, but route running is a fine tuned skill. You need to be able to get yourself open if you’re going to be valued as a receiver. If you don’t have enough quickness to consistently get open, learn to get separation with your strength. It doesn’t matter how you get open so long as you’re getting open.
2026 TE Draft Prospects FAQs
Who is the best TE in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Eli Stowers enters the year as the best TE prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Stowers is a big time athlete with great hands who has significantly improved as a blocker throughout his career.
How good is the tight end draft class in 2026?
The 2026 tight end draft class is looking average. There are a fair number of good receiving threats, but very few prospects with the size or skill to excel as a blocker.
