The overall landscape of the NFL continues to evolve and one position that continues to see this evolution is at the tight end position. Once a position used mostly for blocking purposes while also adding a pass catching threat is now a position filled with an extensive list of athletic players who can not only block but also can stretch the field and be a primary threat in the passing game. One of those players who continues to be as dominant as any other tight end in the NFL is the Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce entered the 2024 NFL land as the league’s top tight end while sitting atop the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings.

As Kelce gets set for his 11th NFL season during the upcoming 2024 NFL schedule, the longtime Chiefs tight end is looking for his eighth season with at least 1,000 yards receiving.

Despite snapping his consecutive streak of 1,000 yards last season, Kelce still produced 984 receiving yards while missing two games.

While Kelce continues to shine as the league’s top tight end, the future Hall of Famer is joined among the best tight ends in the league by George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers, Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens, Evan Engram of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and second year standout Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions.

Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Hunter Henry

Team: New England Patriots

2023 Stats: 42 REC, 419 YDS, 6 TD, 10 AVG

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings list is the New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry.

Henry was as unfortunate as any tight end in the league as the team found no consistency on the offensive side of the football while their quarterback tandem struggled for most of the season.

Nonetheless Henry still managed to post 42 catches for 419 yards to go along with six touchdown passes despite missing three games during the regular season. Prior to the 2023 season, Henry had posted at least 50 receiving yards in each of his previous five seasons in the NFL. 

Isaiah Likely

Team: Baltimore Ravens

2023 Stats: 30 REC, 411 YDS, 5 TD, 13.7 AVG

It is hard to imagine any team in the NFL having two of the league’s top tight ends but that is the case with the Baltimore Ravens who have both Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely on the roster.

While their overall numbers are down compared to some of the higher production tight ends in the league, the two split their production taking receptions away from one another while the heavy loaded running attack spearheaded by dual threat quarterback Lamar Jackson also impacts the final stat line.

Nonetheless, Likely is as athletic and talented as any tight end in the league while using his speed to separate in coverage against opposing linebackers and safeties. Likely is coming off a season posting five touchdown receptions to go along with 411 receiving yards and a career high 13.7 yards per catch.

Top 10 NFL Tight Ends 2024 Rankings

10. Trey McBride

Team: Arizona Cardinals

2023 Stats: 81 REC, 825 YDS, 3 TD, 10.2 AVG

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings list is the Arizona Cardinals third year tight end Trey McBride.

Coming out of college grand expectations were set after the Cardinals selected him during the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. After posting just 29 catches as a rookie, McBride took over an increased role within the team’s offense finishing the season with 81 catches.

While McBride has yet to emerge as a big-time red zone threat over his first two seasons, the former Colorado State Rams tight end has the speed, route running abilities and athleticism to become the go-to option in 2024. 

9. Jake Ferguson

Team: Dallas Cowboys

2023 Stats: 71 REC, 761 YDS, 5 TD, 10.7 AVG

Taking over as the full-time starter for the Dallas Cowboys during the 2023 NFL season, Jake Ferguson took a big stride forward in the team’s offensive game plan.

Ferguson is a big strong physical tight end that uses his size at six-foot five inch to his advantage while becoming a popular target for Dak Prescott.

Ferguson is coming off a season posting 71 catches for 761 yards to go along with five touchdown receptions. As the Cowboys move away from Michael Gallup, potential for an increased reception load is there for Ferguson entering his third NFL season.

8. Cole Kmet

Team: Chicago Bears

2023 Stats: 73 REC, 719 YDS, 6 TD, 9.8 AVG

A name to remember entering the 2024 NFL season is Cole Kmet of the Chicago Bears who will enter the season looking to move his name up the list of the best tight ends in the league.

Kmet who has played in every game since arriving with the Bears during the 2020 NFL Draft has posted at least 50 catches in each of the previous three seasons to go along with at least 544 receiving yards.

As the Bears move on from Justin Fields who was known for making plays with his feet to Caleb Williams who has a big arm, expectations are high for the Bears as they look to stretch the field this season.

Kmet is one of the biggest tight ends in the NFL at six foot six inches while displaying his ability to use his size to advantage as well as solid speed to make plays in coverage. 

7. David Njoku

Team: Cleveland Browns

2023 Stats: 81 REC, 882 YDS, 6 TD, 10.9 AVG

When you talk about the tight end position one name that stands out is the Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku. Njoku is a pure physical specimen who has a combination of speed, size, breakout speed as well as being a great route runner.

Unfortunately, it is hard to know how good the Browns wide receiver is after the team has failed to deliver him an elite passing quarterback which has taken away from his overall stat line each season since arriving during the 2017 NFL Draft.

One thing is for certain, Njoku has the ability to stretch the field after posting 12 catches of at least 20 plus yards last season.

Entering 2024, Njoku will look to build chemistry with Deshaun Watson while looking to top his career high marks set last season in receptions (81), receiving yards (882), and touchdown receptions (6). 

6. T.J. Hockenson

Team: Minnesota Vikings

2023 Stats: 95 REC, 960 YDS, 5 TD, 10.1 AVG

The six-foot five-inch tight end of the Minnesota Vikings is a pure playmaker on the offensive side of the football and a nightmare in coverage for any defensive player to cover.

Using his size to his advantage T.J. Hockenson continues to develop into one of top tight ends in the league while coming off a season setting career highs with 95 receptions and 960 receiving yards while missing two games.

Hockenson who is one of three Iowa Hawkeyes tight ends to land among the best in the NFL joining George Kittle and Sam LaPorta, is a key part of the Vikings pass attack and will be relied on heavy during the 2024 NFL season as the team moves on from Kirk Cousins and moves to a combination of Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy. Despite coming off an ACL tear, expectations are high Hockenson will be ready to play this season.

5. Sam LaPorta

Team: Detroit Lions

2023 Stats: 86 REC, 889 YDS, 10 TD, 10.3 AVG

Rounding out the Top 5 tight ends on Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings list entering the upcoming 2024 NFL schedule is the Detroit Lions second year tight end Sam LaPorta.

The former Iowa Hawkeyes tight end was brilliant in his first season in the league after being selected by the Lions during the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

As a rookie LaPorta finished fifth in receiving yards (889), fourth in receptions (86), first in touchdown receptions (10), and tied for second in first down receptions with 48.

The bright lights did not slow him down in the past season as well after posting 21 catches for 176 receiving yards and one touchdown reception while helping the Lions reach the NFC Championship game.

4. Evan Engram

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 Stats: 114 REC, 963 YDS, 4 TD, 8.4 AVG

The 29-year-old eight-year NFL veteran posted his best season of his career finishing the season setting career highs in a number of statistics to include receptions (114), receiving yards (963), and first downs (47).

Evan Engram has blossomed into Trevor Lawrences go-to weapon and an option that can be trusted on each passing attempt.

Engram who stands at six foot three inches is a mismatch in coverage for any linebacker while also using his speed to separate from safeties in coverage. The Jaguars talented tight end finished last season ranked fourth in the NFL in receptions while leading all tight ends. 

3. Mark Andrews

Team: Baltimore Ravens

2023 Stats: 45 REC, 544 YDS, 6 TD, 12.1 AVG

When healthy the Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is as talented as any tight end in the NFL. Entering the 2024 NFL season, Lamar Jackson’s security blanket will look to bounce back from a season that limited him to just 10 games and 544 receiving yards.

Despite missing time however, Andrews still ranked among the top 10 in multiple statistics among the list of talented tight ends including his six touchdown receptions.

Andrews uses his strong hands and crafty route running abilities to position himself in place to make a big play while helping Jackson move the ball down field. 

2. George Kittle

Team: San Francisco 49ers

2023 Stats: 65 REC, 1020 YDS, 6 TD, 15.7 AVG

When you look at each of the top three tight ends each are as dynamic as one another when healthy. One of those tight ends is the San Francisco 49ers George Kittle who is entering the 2024 NFL season looking to build on his tight end leading 1,020 receiving yards.

Kittle is a big physical tight end that uses his speed and ability to separate from linebackers and safeties to set up big plays. Kittle is coming off an impressive season posting 42 first downs to go along with 18 receptions of over 20 yards. 

1. Travis Kelce

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

2023 Stats: 93 REC, 984 YDS, 5 TD, 10.6 AVG

In at number one among the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2024 Rankings list is the Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. Kelce, who continues to produce among the best tight ends in football, will look to help lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl three-peat after winning each of the previous two seasons.

As of the 2024 NFL season all eyes are on the 11-year NFL veteran as he looks to top the 12,000-career receiving yard mark this season.

While the Chiefs tight end took a step back last season failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time since 2015, injuries limited the star tight end to just 15 games.

Nonetheless Kelce continues to be Patrick Mahomes go-to receiver while posting his sixth straight season with at least 90 receptions.

How would you rank these Tight Ends going into the 2024-2025 NFL season? Rank below to be added in the NFL Wide Receiver Power Rankings.

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