“Get ready for the 2025 fantasy season with these top 12 redraft fantasy football tight ends. Rankings, analysis, and breakout picks included.”
The 2025 NFL season is here, and it’s time to build rosters that win. One of the trickiest spots to draft is tight end. There’s a clear divide between elite options and the rest of the field. If you miss early, you’re likely streaming the position or chasing touchdowns weekly. This guide will walk through the top 12 fantasy football tight ends for redraft leagues, including upside plays, veteran rocks, and breakout stars.
(This is an AI-generated article from a recently published IDP+ Betting Podcast transcript.)
More Fantasy Football And Draft Advice
- 2025 Buffalo Bills Fantasy Football Preview: What to Expect This Season – IDP+
- 2025 Fantasy Football Dynasty Running Backs: Top 12 Rankings and Analysis – IDP+
- Fantasy Football Best Ball: Winning Superflex Strategy for Underdog Tournaments – IDP+
- Fantasy Football IDP Linebackers: Rankings 25–48 for Redraft Leagues – IDP+
12. Kyle Pitts – Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts enters 2025 with tempered expectations and hidden upside. At just 24, he still carries major long-term promise. His 2024 season was modest: 47 catches, 602 yards, and four touchdowns. While those numbers don’t pop, he continues to inch forward in production. The addition of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. could rejuvenate the offense and provide a needed spark. Pitts is no longer being drafted as a top-five tight end, making him a value. He belongs in the “call your shot” tier of fantasy football tight ends. This season could be the breakout we’ve waited for—or another year of frustration. Either way, his price has dropped enough to justify the risk.
11. Jonnu Smith – Pittsburgh Steelers
Jonnu Smith lands in Pittsburgh after being traded from Miami. He’s reuniting with Arthur Smith, his former play-caller in Tennessee and Atlanta. Last season, Smith posted a strong line of 88 receptions, over 860 yards, and eight touchdowns. Now in a two-tight-end offense with Pat Freiermuth and Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, Smith has red zone upside. Arthur Smith loves to use tight ends in blocking and play action. If Smith continues his momentum from 2024, he could be one of the most efficient fantasy football tight ends in the league. He’s currently undervalued and could outperform his ADP with ease.
10. Tucker Kraft – Green Bay Packers
Tucker Kraft is gaining steam as the lead tight end in Green Bay. Despite entering the league behind Luke Musgrave, Kraft seized the opportunity and carved out a key role. Last year, he recorded 707 yards and seven touchdowns. What makes Kraft intriguing is how the Packers use him. He’s not just a blocker—he’s schemed into scoring plays. Fantasy football tight ends who get red zone usage are valuable even if they don’t dominate targets. Kraft isn’t elite yet, but he’s solid, athletic, and trusted in key situations. He’s a strong mid-tier pick with a weekly touchdown upside.
9. David Njoku – Cleveland Browns
David Njoku has developed into one of the most consistent fantasy football tight ends. He totaled 64 catches, 505 yards, and five touchdowns in 2024, despite dealing with injuries. With the Browns quarterback situation unsettled—Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookie Shedeur Sanders all in the mix—tight ends may become safety valves. Njoku’s athleticism and experience make him a prime candidate for steady targets. His role in the red zone is secure, and he’s proven he can produce regardless of who is under center. Njoku may not have league-winning upside, but his floor makes him a reliable TE1 option.
8. Evan Engram – Denver Broncos
Evan Engram is in line for a major bounce-back season. After an injury-plagued 2024 that limited him to 47 catches and 365 yards in nine games, he’s now fully healthy. The year prior, he notched 114 receptions and nearly 1,000 yards in Jacksonville. Engram joins Sean Payton’s offense in Denver, which lacked a real tight end threat last season. With Bo Nix now at quarterback and Courtland Sutton the only proven receiver, Engram could thrive. Payton called him his “joker”—a key playmaker in the system. Fantasy football tight ends with elite volume and red zone roles rarely come at a discount. Engram’s ceiling is top-three.
7. Mark Andrews – Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews has long been one of the most trusted fantasy football tight ends. Last season, he posted 55 catches, 673 yards, and 11 touchdowns. That’s after starting slow due to lingering injuries from 2023, including a high-ankle sprain and fibula fracture. Lamar Jackson continues to look for Andrews in the red zone, even with Derrick Henry in the backfield. As long as he’s healthy, Andrews will be a weekly starter. He’s not quite as explosive as he once was, but his touchdown upside is elite. If he stays on the field, he’ll once again be a top-tier fantasy contributor.
6. Travis Kelce – Kansas City Chiefs
At 35, Travis Kelce is still producing at a high level. Last season, he had 97 receptions and 823 yards, though touchdowns dipped to just three. Despite that, Kelce remains Patrick Mahomes’ go-to option. He runs crisp routes, wins matchups with technique, and thrives on timing. The Chiefs added talent at wide receiver, but Kelce’s role isn’t going away. Fantasy football tight ends with nearly 100 catches don’t grow on trees. Kelce may not be the league winner he once was, but he’s still safe, steady, and tied to the league’s best quarterback. Don’t fade him too far.
5. Sam LaPorta – Detroit Lions
Sam LaPorta emerged as a breakout star in 2023 but took a small step back in 2024. He finished with 60 catches, 727 yards, and seven touchdowns. The departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson raises concerns about usage. Detroit still has plenty of weapons—Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jameson Williams—which may lower LaPorta’s target share. However, he’s played 33 of 34 games over two seasons and is a reliable red zone threat. Among fantasy football tight ends, LaPorta remains a strong option with proven scoring upside. Even with less volume, he’ll be hard to sit.
4. George Kittle – San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle keeps proving he’s elite. Despite missing a game, he tallied 78 catches, 1,106 yards, and eight touchdowns last season. That’s an improvement over his 2023 numbers and comes in a crowded offense. With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk rehabbing an ACL injury, Kittle could see even more volume. He remains one of the best blockers in the game, which keeps him on the field. Fantasy football tight ends that average over 1,000 yards are rare. Kittle offers both floor and ceiling and is a candidate to lead all tight ends in scoring if he stays healthy.
3. T.J. Hockenson – Minnesota Vikings
T.J. Hockenson is primed for a rebound. After recovering from ACL and MCL surgery, he’s ready to return to form. In just 10 games last year, he logged 40 receptions and 455 yards. He didn’t score, but that was likely due to rust. In 2023, he totaled 96 receptions and 960 yards with five touchdowns. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy should lean on Hockenson early and often. While Justin Jefferson draws primary coverage, Hockenson will benefit from softer matchups. Among fantasy football tight ends, he offers top-five upside with a chance to become the Vikings’ second-best weapon.
2. Trey McBride – Arizona Cardinals
Trey McBride was a breakout machine last season. He led all tight ends with 111 receptions and 1,146 yards, but scored just three times. That’s the only knock on him. He’s Kyler Murray’s most reliable weapon and commands heavy volume. If McBride’s touchdowns increase, he has the upside to be the top overall fantasy tight end. Still, scoring volatility holds him back slightly. The targets are bankable, and in full PPR leagues, his floor is elite. Few fantasy football tight ends offer this kind of week-to-week consistency. He’s a second-round talent in tight-end premium formats.
1. Brock Bowers – Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers enters 2025 as the top fantasy football tight end. As a rookie, he put up 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns. He did this with terrible quarterback play from Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder. Now, Geno Smith and Pete Carroll enter the picture. Carroll called Bowers his top offensive weapon, and there’s no target competition. Bowers is the de facto WR1 in Vegas. With better QB play, he should easily surpass last season’s numbers. He’s young, explosive, and set to dominate. Bowers is the total package and belongs at the top of every draft board.
Thank you for reading this article by @IDP_Plus. This article was created using IDP+ AI and edited by an IDP+ Staff Member. Be sure to check out the video above, which this article is based on. Follow the host @thedegendoc on the X!!!
