Field Vision's Top 10 Tight Ends

As we continue our Threat Rankings, we take a look at the Tight End position. Tight End is unique because there are multiple types and they are asked to do different things on the field. However, production is king and these 10 players provide a punch for their offense that serves to supplement what the Quarterback can do with the other skill position players. The Tight End is the ultimate security blanket and the 10 QB’s with players on this list should feel very secure.

We broke our top 10 Tight Ends into 3 tiers based on their overall production.

Tier 1: The Unicorn

This is a tier reserved for a group of 1. If a position group has a player in this tier, they are truly an outlier at the position in terms of production. A unicorn is a one-of-a-kind talent that is more than likely in the conversation for greatest of all time at their position.

Travis Kelce (Chiefs): Threat Rating - 99 (1st)

Travis Kelce topped our list in raw Threat Rating among Tight Ends in 2023 for the 4th time in 5 seasons. He is our number 1 overall Tight End heading into 2024 and it seems he’ll have a stranglehold on that spot until shown otherwise. After an up and down 2023 regular season, Kelce showed his mettle once again in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run cementing himself as one of the greatest post-season pass catchers of all time. He is our best Tight End against zone coverage, but still comes in high (#6) against man coverage. The Chiefs will need Kelce to maintain form if they’re going to make another deep run in 2024.

Tier 2: Difference Makers

These players add obvious value in every situation. Some have elite quarterbacks already, but they serve to enhance that. When it comes to Tight End, there are few guys in this category. As a thinner position across the league, if you have one of these, it makes a true difference for your offense.

T.J. Hockenson (Vikings): Threat Rating - 94.1 (2nd)

Since coming over from Detroit in a 2022 trade, T.J. Hockenson has been the ultimate security blanket for Vikings quarterbacks. Last season, despite a carousel of pass throwers, Hockenson caught 95 passes for 960 yards for the Vikings. He ranks 2nd among tight ends against Man coverage and 3rd against zone. Whether it’s rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy or Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings will need Hockenson to complement Justin Jefferson to be able to produce on offense.

George Kittle (49ers): Threat Rating - 92.8 (3rd)

George Kittle is another of the embarrassment of riches on the 49ers. Kittle is a true Y tight end who plays mainly online, but he can still do damage in the passing game despite his superb blocking ability. Last season, he topped 1000 yards for the 3rd time in his career. Kittle is the #1 Threat Tight End in the league on deep targets and he ranks in the top 4 against both zone and man coverage. The 49ers employ a true pick your poison offense and on any given night, Kittle can be the poison that kills an opposing defense.

Mark Andrews (Ravens): Threat Rating - 92.1 (4th)

Mark Andrews, when healthy, is the true pass catching threat that can challenge Kelce for unicorn status. In 2021, he had our third best Raw Threat Rate score in our data set trailing only Kelce in 2019 and 2020. Andrews accumulated 1361 yards in that season but has taken a bit of a step back in the subsequent two with last year’s season ending prematurely due to injury. Andrews is top 10 against both zone and man coverage and he’s our number 1 Threat Tight End when lining up in the slot. He’s also #3 on short/intermediate targets. The Ravens will need Andrews to be at peak form to replicate the efficiency they showed last season.

Sam LaPorta (Lions): Threat Rating - 90 (5th)

Sam LaPorta looks like he can more than fill the void left by T.J. Hockenson going over to the division rival Vikings. In his rookie season, he recorded 86 receptions for 889 yards on a loaded Lions offense. LaPorta ranks as our 6th best Tight End against zone coverage and has the 2nd best Threat Rating among Tight Ends when lining up outside. He doesn’t do much damage deep, but on short/intermediate targets, he’s got the 5th best Threat Rating in the league among Tight Ends. The Lions are looking for LaPorta to build on his stellar 2023 and take a step forward in his 2nd season.

Evan Engram (Jaguars): Threat Rating - 89.1(6th)

Evan Engram has been up and down throughout his career, but 2023 in Jacksonville saw him meet his full potential. He caught 114 passes for 963 yards. As a flex tight end like Kelce, Engram can hurt you from multiple spots on the field. He’s 4th in Threat Ratings from the slot and top 15 when lining up outside. Much like most of our top Tight Ends, he does most of his damage in short and intermediate routes rankings top 5 in that category. For Trevor Lawrence to take the step forward the Jaguars are hoping for, Engram will need to replicate his 2023 performance in 2024.

Tier 3: Great in their situation

Unlike receivers, where there’s a laundry list of elite producers, Tight End is a thinner position, and this group of guys excels largely as a result of their circumstances. That said, they clearly have the talent to take advantage of those circumstances and produce at a high level.

Dalton Schultz (Texans): Threat Rating - 83.6 (7th)

Between Dallas and Houston, Dalton Schultz has been in a couple of really strong scenarios. Dak Prescott has consistently produced good numbers and loves to use the Tight End, and C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons of all time last year. Schultz doesn’t do much damage against man coverage, but he’s our 8th best Tight End against the zone heading into 2024. He also ranks top 10 when lining up outside and on deep targets. There will be a lot of competition for targets in Houston this year, but Schultz will still be a good security blanket for a young QB in Stroud.

Cole Kmet (Bears): Threat Rating - 83.1 (8th)

Cole Kmet enters his fifth season in Chicago hoping it will be his best. Caleb Williams is just a rookie, but he has the potential to be the best quarterback Kmet has played alongside. Kmet had a career high 73 receptions and 719 yards last season. He does most of his damage against zone, ranking 5th in Threat against that coverage. Kmet can also be a deep threat as our 3rd best Tight end on deep targets heading into 2024. Williams will be looking to push the ball down the field and Kmet can be just the security blanket he needs.

Trey McBride (Cardinals): Threat Rating - 82.9 (9th)

Trey McBride, for the first time in his career, enters the season as the clear-cut number 1 Tight End in Arizona. McBride burst onto the scene in 2023 with 81 receptions for 825 yards. McBride is versatile at the position, ranking top 10 among Tight Ends in both deep targets and short/intermediate. He also has our 3rd best Threat Ratings when lining up in the slot. With a full season of Kyler Murray, the Cardinals believe they can unlock Trey McBride and you could see a monster season from the 3rd year man.

Dalton Kincaid (Bills): Threat Rating - 82.2 (10th)

Dalton Kincaid could be one of the main targets in an always stellar Bills offense this season. Kincaid caught 73 passes for 673 yards last season in an offense that included now departed Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. Kincaid is a true flex ranking top 10 when lining up in both the slot and outside. He is also good against man coverage ranking 9th in Threat Rating against man. The Bills are counting on Kincaid to be a huge part of their new look offense in 2024.

As we continue to roll-out our Threat Ratings to the world, we look forward to the conversation, debate and your feedback as always. Hit us at @fieldvisionmi on X, @fieldvisionsports on Instagram, and on our website fieldvisionsports.com