TEMPE, AZ — The NFL league year is exactly one week old, and the fantasy football board for 2026 is already shifting beneath our feet. After a historic 2025 campaign where he hauled in 126 receptions and 11 touchdowns, Trey McBride sits alone at the top of the tight end rankings. With the Cardinals moving on from Kyler Murray and handing the keys to Jacoby Brissett, the volume for McBride isn’t just high—it’s historic.
The Elite Tier: McBride and Bowers
Arizona’s offense struggled last year, but that was a gold mine for McBride’s fantasy owners. He was the most consistent pass catcher on the roster while Marvin Harrison Jr. searched for his rhythm. With the Cardinals appearing to embrace a rebuild, expect Brissett to continue pepper McBride with targets. He is a lock for the top spot on your draft board.
Right behind him is Brock Bowers. The Raiders star only played 12 games last year but still managed to put up borderline TE1 numbers. Reports out of Las Vegas suggest the team is eyeing Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza in the upcoming draft. Adding a high-ceiling passer could vault Bowers into a tier of his own. Even with the QB questions, Bowers is the engine of that offense.
The Rookie Sophomores Ready to Explode
The 2025 rookie class was special, and two names stand out: Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Loveland is now a primary piece of the Chicago youth movement following DJ Moore’s trade to Buffalo. Teaming up with Caleb Williams, Loveland finished 2025 with a flurry, seeing double-digit targets in the final two weeks. He’s primed for 100-plus targets this year.
In Indianapolis, Tyler Warren is the clear beneficiary of Michael Pittman Jr.’s move to Pittsburgh. Warren finished as the TE4 last year as a rookie, racking up over 800 yards. Now that he is the top target for Daniel Jones, his touchdown upside should skyrocket as he enters his second professional season.
“I don’t look at the records. I look at the film and see where I can win. Jacoby trusts me to be in the right spot, and we’re just getting started with what this offense can actually do.”
— Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals Tight End
Recovery and New Opportunities
Injury news will dictate the middle of the draft. Sam LaPorta and Tucker Kraft are both coming off injury-shortened seasons. LaPorta returns to a Detroit offense now under Drew Petzing, the same mind that helped McBride ascend to stardom. If LaPorta is healthy, he is a top-five talent. Meanwhile, Kraft has a clear path to the lead role in Green Bay with Romeo Doubs now in New England.
Finally, keep an eye on Isaiah Likely in New York. He joined the Giants on a three-year deal to rejoin John Harbaugh’s system. With Malik Nabers recovering from a torn ACL, Likely will be the most reliable safety valve for Jaxson Dart. At TE9, he’s the ultimate value pick for managers who wait on the position.
