In the world of Dynasty fantasy football, Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are widely recognized as the only two tight ends firmly nestled in the top tier. Both are valued so highly that they can be early first-round picks in one-quarterback startup drafts and are generally selected within the first two rounds. However, the discussion is shifting toward whether targeting a player in the growing Tier 2 of tight ends might offer better value, as this group continues to expand.
Expanding Group of Promising Tier 2 Tight Ends
Among those agreed upon to sit comfortably in Tier 2 are Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren. Additionally, many analysts include Tucker Kraft, Harold Fannin, and Sam LaPorta in this category due to their potential upside. The inclusion of all three gains more weight after Detroit named Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator, since Petzing played a key role in Trey McBride’s development during his time in Arizona. Petzing’s influence, combined with his former boss’s impact, may soon drive a sixth tight end into Tier 2.
Kyle Pitts’ Role with the Falcons and Its Dynasty Implications
The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly committed to keeping Kyle Pitts, who is projected to play under new head coach Kevin Stefanski in 2026. Stefanski’s Cleveland Browns averaged approximately 166 tight end targets annually over the past three seasons, a promising indicator for Pitts. In 2025, Pitts achieved new career highs in targets, receptions, and touchdowns, and he could improve upon these numbers during his 26-year-old season. Assuming the reports of him remaining in Atlanta are accurate, Pitts might become the lowest-priced Tier 2 tight end option in Dynasty leagues this offseason.
Perspectives from Dynasty Experts and Position Uncertainties
In a recent February discussion on Fantasy Football Today Dynasty, Mike Faiella from Dynasty League Football analyzed the state of the tight end position in Dynasty formats. He highlighted a notable drop-off near the tail end of his top 12 rankings, with a couple of wild cards in the middle range. Oronde Gadsden and Isaiah Likely both have the potential to rise into the top six tight ends, though uncertainties remain. Gadsden’s future role in Mike McDaniel’s offense is unclear, while Likely‘s free agency status in 2026 leaves his situation open-ended.
“There is a pretty significant drop off towards the bottom of my top 12, with two wild cards in the middle. I believe both Oronde Gadsden and Isaiah Likely have the potential to jump into the top six Dynasty tight ends but there are questions to answer. The first is what’s Gadsden’s role will look like in Mike McDaniel’s offense. The second is where Likely will play in 2026, as he is a free agent. For now I am slightly more optimistic about Gadsden, and he is three years younger, but the right landing spot for Likely could change that quickly. Washington and Philadelphia are two of my favorite landing spots for Likely. Kansas City could be on that list as well but it is sounding more and more like Travis Kelce could return for another year.”
?Mike Faiella, Dynasty League Football Analyst
Rookie Potential and Future Prospects in Tight End Rankings
Looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, rookie Kenyon Sadiq emerges as a player with the potential to break into the top 12 tight ends. His athleticism provides significant upside, though it remains to be seen if his blocking ability will measure up to full-time professional standards. Should Sadiq be selected in the first half of the first round, projections place him no lower than 12th in Dynasty tight end rankings.
Updated Rankings Reflect a Broadening Pool Beyond the Elite
This evolving landscape highlights the growing depth at the tight end position beyond the established top tier, with Kyle Pitts positioned as a key figure at the front of this expanded Tier 2 group. His continued development under Stefanski, combined with the rising profiles of others like Loveland, Warren, and McBride protégés, means Dynasty managers will have more options to consider when addressing this position in upcoming drafts.
