2026 NFL Free Agent Rankings: Tight ends

NFL free agency is a year-round process, as teams scout opposing players to beat them during the season and perhaps sign them in the offseason.

As the 2025–26 NFL season comes to a close, free agency is coming into focus, and teams are beginning to evaluate potential targets to address roster deficiencies. Here are the top tight ends slated to hit free agency in 2026.

For now, each player’s profile includes three-year snap counts and three-year PFF grades, offering a broader, more stable view of performance than a single-season spike or dip.

Click here for PFF's full list of the top 250 free agents.

1. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Snaps: 2,395 | PFF grade: 70.8

Just 25 years old, Pitts is set to cash in on a career year. The former No. 4 overall pick seemed to put it all together in 2025 after a string of disappointing seasons, earning his highest PFF overall grade (73.6) since his 2021 rookie campaign. He logged an elite 91.3 PFF receiving grade from Week 13 on, the second-best figure among tight ends.

2. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

Snaps: 2,390 | PFF grade: 72.9

Goedert never quite reached the true elite tier of tight ends, but he has been one of the league's steadier producers, grading above 70.0 in each of his first seven seasons prior to 2025. His 2025 campaign fit that solid-but-unspectacular mold — 64 catches on 85 targets for 624 yards — though he did post a career-high 12 touchdowns, generating a 135.0 passer rating when targeted and averaging 1.34 yards per route run. Goedert's peak came in 2021 when he earned an elite 90.7 PFF grade and averaged 2.33 yards per route run, and while his blocking remains a limitation, he still profiles as a valuable pass-catching option in the right offense.

3. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Snaps: 3,009 | PFF grade: 80.1

It feels like there's only one landing spot for Kelce, and that's back in Kansas City. He's no longer the best tight end in football, but he was still productive enough in 2025. He ranked in the top 25 at the position in yards per route run, PFF receiving grade and receiving yards, and he can be expected to produce like an above-average starter again in 2026.

4. Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Snaps: 1,798 | PFF grade: 69.1

Likely had a down year in 2025 but ranked earned an eighth-ranked 77.1 PFF receiving grade in 2024. It's worth noting that he was likely hindered in 2025 by a foot injury suffered in training camp. Given that Likely will be just 26 years old when the 2026 campaign begins, it wouldn't be surprising to see him have a big market in free agency.

5. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

Snaps: 2,126 | PFF grade: 64.9

The emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., and some injuries, led to Njoku's least productive season since 2019. It has now been multiple seasons since we've seen him at his best. He's still only 29 years old, though, so provided he is healthy, he can be an upgrade as a starter for multiple teams.