Okay, seriously, if you’re sleeping on tight ends for your 2026 fantasy draft, you need to wake up right now. Last season, these guys snagged a mind-blowing 231 touchdowns. That’s the most the league has seen since 2013! And get this, their collective target share hit an all-time high at 23.8%. This isn’t just a trend, it’s a full-blown revolution, and if you’re not ready for it, your fantasy team is going to be left in the dust.
The TE Boom Is Real, Folks!
Why is this happening? It’s simple, really. Defenses are playing safeties deep, trying to counter those insane wide receivers we all love. But what do brilliant offensive coordinators do? They lean into multiple tight ends, making it easier to run the ball and, more importantly, creating absolute mismatches all over the field. Think about it: these guys are bigger and stronger than most safeties, but still faster than most linebackers. That’s a “cheat code” setup just waiting to happen! We’re also seeing a steady stream of ridiculously athletic tight ends pouring into the NFL, and many of them are just scratching the surface of their potential. For every established talent like Trey McBride or Brock Bowers, there’s an Isaiah Likely or Chig Okonkwo ready to explode. The talent pool is deep, and teams are ready to lean on them. That’s why you’re seeing fantasy managers willing to take shots on guys like McBride and Bowers by the end of Round 2, and even snatching up Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren by the end of Round 5, maybe even sooner for Loveland!
Finding Your Weekly “Cheat Code”
Most fantasy leagues ask you to start just one tight end. While there are plenty of guys you could make a case for starting, only a select few truly have that week-winning upside. These are your “cheat codes.” The golden rule for spotting them? Shop for a tight end you genuinely believe can finish first or second on his own team in targets. Seriously, that’s the blueprint! This guy should be averaging at least six targets per game. Less than that? It’s going to hurt their numbers. More? Absolutely awesome. Obviously, in half-PPR leagues, more catches are always better, though last year only 11 tight ends averaged more than four catches per game.
Digging into the numbers, only seven of the top 12 qualifying tight ends, those who played eight or more games, actually averaged at least six targets per game. Across the entire NFL, only 10 tight ends hit that six-plus target average. Guys like Dalton Schultz, Juwan Johnson, and Jake Ferguson didn’t crack the top 12, with Ferguson just 0.1 points per game behind Hunter Henry for that 12th spot. Talk about tight! We’ve seen some incredible streaks, too. George Kittle had an insane run, averaging at least 10.7 half-PPR points for eight straight years, though he’s coming off a tough Achilles injury from January. McBride and Bowers have both been consistently great, averaging at least 12 half-PPR points for two straight seasons. And for the king of consistency, Travis Kelce has been averaging at least nine half-PPR points for an unbelievable 12 straight years!
So, as you’re gearing up for your draft, remember these names and these numbers. Don’t be the buddy who misses out on a true cheat code just because you stuck to old habits. The league has changed, and your draft strategy needs to catch up if you want to be hoisting that fantasy championship trophy!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.
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