SOS Edge · tight ends · 2026 Season
2026 Tight End Draft Rankings — Schedule-Adjusted SOS Edge
Every rostered Tight End, ranked by consensus ADP and scored by 2026 schedule difficulty. Free, server-rendered, and updated weekly.
The 2026 Tight End rankings below list every rostered Tight End, ordered by consensus ADP with depth-chart coverage underneath, and each player is scored by schedule-adjusted SOS Edge. David Njoku (Chargers) owns the easiest 2026 schedule at +61.7 edge points versus a position average of +50.2 across all 97 players listed. SOS Edge is a 0-100 composite that weights full-season opponent ease at 70 percent and playoff-week (weeks 15-17) ease at 30 percent, so a positive number means the schedule helps fantasy scoring while a negative number means it hurts. Opponent difficulty comes from a curated three-leg consensus of 2026 defensive rankings, and the same published formula powers every DraftSOS board, so numbers are comparable across positions. Sorting by SOS Edge rather than name value surfaces late-round targets whose softest matchups cluster in the fantasy playoffs, which is exactly when fantasy championships are decided. Use the tiers below as draft triggers and let the schedule number break ties inside a tier.
Which tight ends have the easiest 2026 schedules?
By composite SOS Edge the five softest 2026 Tight End schedules belong to David Njoku (+61.7), Oronde Gadsden (+61.7), Charlie Kolar (+61.7), Trey McBride (+61.3), Elijah Higgins (+61.3). The position-wide average is +50.2 edge points, so anything above +8 is a genuinely soft slate. Each edge score blends 70 percent full-season opponent ease with 30 percent weeks 15-17 ease, using the curated three-leg consensus of opponent defensive ranks described on our methodology page.
Why do playoff weeks matter so much for Tight End?
Fantasy championships are decided in weeks 15-17, so a Tight End whose easiest opponents land there is worth more than the same talent facing shutdown units in December. Trey McBride carries the best playoff-week slate in the position at +84.9 playoff ease. That is why the composite weights playoff weeks at 30 percent — roughly 3.4x their per-game share — matching how real fantasy outcomes are scored.
How should you use tiers when drafting tight ends?
Tier 1 (top 10 percent of this board) currently holds 9 players: Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, Kyle Pitts Sr., Harold Fannin Jr., Tucker Kraft, Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert. Treat tier breaks, not overall rank, as your draft trigger: inside a tier, take the better SOS Edge; across tiers, always take the better player. Schedule edge is worth roughly a point or two per week at Tight End, enough to break ties, not enough to reach a round early for a lesser talent.
Which schedules should you avoid in 2026?
The hardest slates on the board belong to Ja'Tavion Sanders (+38.0), Tommy Tremble (+38.0), Darren Waller (+38.0). A negative edge below -8 means the player faces above-average opponents most weeks, which suppresses both floor and ceiling. If you roster one of them, the weekly heatmaps in the draft tool show exactly when to bench them.
What are the caveats on these Tight End rankings?
SOS Edge measures schedule only — it does not project touches, target share, or injury risk, and depth-chart players without consensus ADP are listed for schedule context rather than draft priority. Defensive ranks are curated from Sportsnaut, FOX Sports, and PFF consensus updated for the 2026 season, and our out-of-sample accuracy page tracks how the model performed in prior seasons. Schedules and rankings are regenerated weekly during the season, so check the footer date before relying on a number.
2026 Tight End rankings table — top 97
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| Rk | Player | Team | Bye | Pos ADP | Playoff Wk15-17 opponents | Season ease | Playoff ease | SOS Edge | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trey McBride | Cardinals | 14 | 28.9 | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.2 | +84.9 | +61.3 | Tier 1 |
| 2 | Brock Bowers | Raiders | 13 | 35.0 | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +47.8 | +58.1 | +50.9 | Tier 1 |
| 3 | Colston Loveland | Bears | 10 | 56.5 | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +40.8 | +41.9 | +41.1 | Tier 1 |
| 4 | Tyler Warren | Colts | 13 | 65.2 | TEN (Wk15) / CIN (Wk16) / CLE (Wk17) | +47.1 | +64.5 | +52.3 | Tier 1 |
| 5 | Kyle Pitts Sr. | Falcons | 11 | 75.3 | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +51.6 | +61.3 | +54.5 | Tier 1 |
| 6 | Harold Fannin Jr. | Browns | 11 | 77.5 | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +54.8 | +55.9 | +55.2 | Tier 1 |
| 7 | Tucker Kraft | Packers | 11 | 98.1 | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.7 | +48.4 | +46.5 | Tier 1 |
| 8 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | 5 | 104.0 | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +53.5 | +34.4 | +47.8 | Tier 1 |
| 9 | Dallas Goedert | Eagles | 10 | 105.9 | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +55.6 | +24.7 | +46.3 | Tier 1 |
| 10 | George Kittle | 49ers | 8 | 109.8 | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +38.7 | +46.8 | Tier 1 |
| 11 | Sam LaPorta | Lions | 6 | 113.8 | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 2 |
| 12 | Mark Andrews | Ravens | 13 | 128.4 | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +45.7 | +44.1 | +45.2 | Tier 2 |
| 13 | Jake Ferguson | Cowboys | 14 | 131.0 | LAR (Wk15) / JAX (Wk16) / NYG (Wk17) | +49.0 | +38.7 | +45.9 | Tier 2 |
| 14 | Isaiah Likely | Giants | 8 | 136.3 | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +50.5 | +47.3 | +49.5 | Tier 2 |
| 15 | Juwan Johnson | Saints | 8 | 147.0 | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +51.8 | +58.1 | +53.7 | Tier 2 |
| 16 | Dalton Kincaid | Bills | 7 | 147.4 | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +49.7 | +53.8 | +50.9 | Tier 2 |
| 17 | David Njoku | Chargers | 7 | 154.0 | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +54.1 | +79.6 | +61.7 | Tier 2 |
| 18 | Hunter Henry | Patriots | 11 | 155.0 | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +49.3 | +64.5 | +53.9 | Tier 2 |
| 19 | Kenyon Sadiq | Jets | 13 | 158.0 | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +49.5 | +36.6 | +45.6 | Tier 2 |
| 20 | AJ Barner | Seahawks | 11 | 158.9 | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +44.1 | +53.9 | Tier 2 |
| 21 | Brenton Strange | Jaguars | 7 | 160.6 | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +47.6 | +58.1 | +50.8 | Tier 2 |
| 22 | Dalton Schultz | Texans | 8 | 161.7 | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +49.7 | +31.2 | +44.2 | Tier 2 |
| 23 | Terrance Ferguson | Rams | 11 | 162.8 | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 2 |
| 24 | T.J. Hockenson | Vikings | 6 | 163.7 | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +56.4 | +72.0 | +61.1 | Tier 2 |
| 25 | Pat Freiermuth | Steelers | 9 | 172.2 | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +45.2 | +61.3 | +50.0 | Tier 2 |
| 26 | Greg Dulcich | Dolphins | 6 | 181.0 | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +52.9 | +34.4 | +47.4 | Tier 2 |
| 27 | Cade Otton | Buccaneers | — | no ADP | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +47.2 | +49.5 | +47.9 | Tier 2 |
| 28 | Darren Waller | Panthers | — | no ADP | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +39.1 | +35.5 | +38.0 | Tier 2 |
| 29 | Evan Engram | Broncos | — | no ADP | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +53.7 | +55.9 | +54.4 | Tier 2 |
| 30 | Gunnar Helm | Titans | — | no ADP | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +48.8 | +58.1 | +51.6 | Tier 2 |
| 31 | Harold Fannin | Browns | — | no ADP | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +54.8 | +55.9 | +55.2 | Tier 3 |
| 32 | Kyle Pitts | Falcons | — | no ADP | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +51.6 | +61.3 | +54.5 | Tier 3 |
| 33 | Mike Gesicki | Bengals | — | no ADP | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +46.5 | +57.0 | +49.6 | Tier 3 |
| 34 | Oronde Gadsden | Chargers | — | no ADP | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +54.1 | +79.6 | +61.7 | Tier 3 |
| 35 | Adam Trautman | Broncos | — | no ADP | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +53.7 | +55.9 | +54.4 | Tier 3 |
| 36 | Austin Hooper | Falcons | — | no ADP | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +51.6 | +61.3 | +54.5 | Tier 3 |
| 37 | Blake Whiteheart | Browns | — | no ADP | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +54.8 | +55.9 | +55.2 | Tier 3 |
| 38 | Brock Wright | Lions | — | no ADP | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 3 |
| 39 | Cade Stover | Texans | — | no ADP | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +49.7 | +31.2 | +44.2 | Tier 3 |
| 40 | Colby Parkinson | Rams | — | no ADP | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 3 |
| 41 | Cole Kmet | Bears | — | no ADP | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +40.8 | +41.9 | +41.1 | Tier 3 |
| 42 | Daniel Bellinger | Titans | — | no ADP | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +48.8 | +58.1 | +51.6 | Tier 3 |
| 43 | Darnell Washington | Steelers | — | no ADP | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +45.2 | +61.3 | +50.0 | Tier 3 |
| 44 | Dawson Knox | Bills | — | no ADP | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +49.7 | +53.8 | +50.9 | Tier 3 |
| 45 | Durham Smythe | Ravens | — | no ADP | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +45.7 | +44.1 | +45.2 | Tier 3 |
| 46 | Eli Raridon | Patriots | — | no ADP | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +49.3 | +64.5 | +53.9 | Tier 3 |
| 47 | Eli Stowers | Eagles | — | no ADP | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +55.6 | +24.7 | +46.3 | Tier 3 |
| 48 | Elijah Arroyo | Seahawks | — | no ADP | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +44.1 | +53.9 | Tier 3 |
| 49 | Elijah Higgins | Cardinals | — | no ADP | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.2 | +84.9 | +61.3 | Tier 3 |
| 50 | Erick All | Bengals | — | no ADP | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +46.5 | +57.0 | +49.6 | Tier 3 |
| 51 | Jake Tonges | 49ers | — | no ADP | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +38.7 | +46.8 | Tier 3 |
| 52 | Jonnu Smith | Packers | — | no ADP | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.7 | +48.4 | +46.5 | Tier 3 |
| 53 | Josh Oliver | Vikings | — | no ADP | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +56.4 | +72.0 | +61.1 | Tier 3 |
| 54 | Luke Musgrave | Packers | — | no ADP | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.7 | +48.4 | +46.5 | Tier 3 |
| 55 | Mason Taylor | Jets | — | no ADP | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +49.5 | +36.6 | +45.6 | Tier 3 |
| 56 | Michael Mayer | Raiders | — | no ADP | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +47.8 | +58.1 | +50.9 | Tier 3 |
| 57 | Michael Trigg | Cowboys | — | no ADP | LAR (Wk15) / JAX (Wk16) / NYG (Wk17) | +49.0 | +38.7 | +45.9 | Tier 3 |
| 58 | Mo Alie-Cox | Colts | — | no ADP | TEN (Wk15) / CIN (Wk16) / CLE (Wk17) | +47.1 | +64.5 | +52.3 | Tier 3 |
| 59 | Nate Boerkircher | Jaguars | — | no ADP | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +47.6 | +58.1 | +50.8 | Tier 3 |
| 60 | Noah Fant | Saints | — | no ADP | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +51.8 | +58.1 | +53.7 | Tier 4 |
| 61 | Noah Gray | Chiefs | — | no ADP | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +53.5 | +34.4 | +47.8 | Tier 4 |
| 62 | Payne Durham | Buccaneers | — | no ADP | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +47.2 | +49.5 | +47.9 | Tier 4 |
| 63 | Theo Johnson | Giants | — | no ADP | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +50.5 | +47.3 | +49.5 | Tier 4 |
| 64 | Tommy Tremble | Panthers | — | no ADP | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +39.1 | +35.5 | +38.0 | Tier 4 |
| 65 | Will Kacmarek | Dolphins | — | no ADP | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +52.9 | +34.4 | +47.4 | Tier 4 |
| 66 | Ben Sims | Dolphins | — | no ADP | GB (Wk15) / LAC (Wk16) / BUF (Wk17) | +52.9 | +34.4 | +47.4 | Tier 4 |
| 67 | CJ Dippre | Patriots | — | no ADP | KC (Wk15) / NYJ (Wk16) / DEN (Wk17) | +49.3 | +64.5 | +53.9 | Tier 4 |
| 68 | Charlie Kolar | Chargers | — | no ADP | SF (Wk15) / MIA (Wk16) / KC (Wk17) | +54.1 | +79.6 | +61.7 | Tier 4 |
| 69 | Charlie Woerner | Falcons | — | no ADP | WSH (Wk15) / TB (Wk16) / NO (Wk17) | +51.6 | +61.3 | +54.5 | Tier 4 |
| 70 | Chris Manhertz | Giants | — | no ADP | CLE (Wk15) / DET (Wk16) / DAL (Wk17) | +50.5 | +47.3 | +49.5 | Tier 4 |
| 71 | Connor Heyward | Raiders | — | no ADP | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +47.8 | +58.1 | +50.9 | Tier 4 |
| 72 | Devin Culp | Buccaneers | — | no ADP | NO (Wk15) / ATL (Wk16) / LAR (Wk17) | +47.2 | +49.5 | +47.9 | Tier 4 |
| 73 | Drew Sample | Bengals | — | no ADP | CAR (Wk15) / IND (Wk16) / BAL (Wk17) | +46.5 | +57.0 | +49.6 | Tier 4 |
| 74 | Gavin Bartholomew | Vikings | — | no ADP | DET (Wk15) / WSH (Wk16) / NYJ (Wk17) | +56.4 | +72.0 | +61.1 | Tier 4 |
| 75 | Grant Calcaterra | Eagles | — | no ADP | SEA (Wk15) / HOU (Wk16) / SF (Wk17) | +55.6 | +24.7 | +46.3 | Tier 4 |
| 76 | Hayden Rucci | 49ers | — | no ADP | LAC (Wk15) / KC (Wk16) / PHI (Wk17) | +50.3 | +38.7 | +46.8 | Tier 4 |
| 77 | Hunter Long | Jaguars | — | no ADP | HOU (Wk15) / DAL (Wk16) / WSH (Wk17) | +47.6 | +58.1 | +50.8 | Tier 4 |
| 78 | Ian Thomas | Raiders | — | no ADP | DEN (Wk15) / TEN (Wk16) / ARI (Wk17) | +47.8 | +58.1 | +50.9 | Tier 4 |
| 79 | Ja'Tavion Sanders | Panthers | — | no ADP | CIN (Wk15) / PIT (Wk16) / SEA (Wk17) | +39.1 | +35.5 | +38.0 | Tier 4 |
| 80 | Jackson Hawes | Bills | — | no ADP | CHI (Wk15) / DEN (Wk16) / MIA (Wk17) | +49.7 | +53.8 | +50.9 | Tier 4 |
| 81 | Jeremy Ruckert | Jets | — | no ADP | ARI (Wk15) / NE (Wk16) / MIN (Wk17) | +49.5 | +36.6 | +45.6 | Tier 4 |
| 82 | Joe Royer | Browns | — | no ADP | NYG (Wk15) / BAL (Wk16) / IND (Wk17) | +54.8 | +55.9 | +55.2 | Tier 4 |
| 83 | John Michael Gyllenborg | Chiefs | — | no ADP | NE (Wk15) / SF (Wk16) / LAC (Wk17) | +53.5 | +34.4 | +47.8 | Tier 4 |
| 84 | Josh Whyle | Packers | — | no ADP | MIA (Wk15) / CHI (Wk16) / HOU (Wk17) | +45.7 | +48.4 | +46.5 | Tier 4 |
| 85 | Kylen Granson | Titans | — | no ADP | IND (Wk15) / LV (Wk16) / PIT (Wk17) | +48.8 | +58.1 | +51.6 | Tier 4 |
| 86 | Marlin Klein | Texans | — | no ADP | JAX (Wk15) / PHI (Wk16) / GB (Wk17) | +49.7 | +31.2 | +44.2 | Tier 4 |
| 87 | Matt Hibner | Ravens | — | no ADP | PIT (Wk15) / CLE (Wk16) / CIN (Wk17) | +45.7 | +44.1 | +45.2 | Tier 4 |
| 88 | Nate Adkins | Broncos | — | no ADP | LV (Wk15) / BUF (Wk16) / NE (Wk17) | +53.7 | +55.9 | +54.4 | Tier 4 |
| 89 | Nick Vannett | Seahawks | — | no ADP | PHI (Wk15) / LAR (Wk16) / CAR (Wk17) | +58.1 | +44.1 | +53.9 | Tier 4 |
| 90 | Oscar Delp | Saints | — | no ADP | TB (Wk15) / ARI (Wk16) / ATL (Wk17) | +51.8 | +58.1 | +53.7 | Tier 4 |
| 91 | Riley Nowakowski | Steelers | — | no ADP | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +45.2 | +61.3 | +50.0 | Tier 4 |
| 92 | Robert Tonyan | Steelers | — | no ADP | BAL (Wk15) / CAR (Wk16) / TEN (Wk17) | +45.2 | +61.3 | +50.0 | Tier 4 |
| 93 | Sam Roush | Bears | — | no ADP | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +40.8 | +41.9 | +41.1 | Tier 4 |
| 94 | Stephen Carlson | Bears | — | no ADP | BUF (Wk15) / GB (Wk16) / DET (Wk17) | +40.8 | +41.9 | +41.1 | Tier 4 |
| 95 | Teagan Quitoriano | Cardinals | — | no ADP | NYJ (Wk15) / NO (Wk16) / LV (Wk17) | +51.2 | +84.9 | +61.3 | Tier 4 |
| 96 | Tyler Conklin | Lions | — | no ADP | MIN (Wk15) / NYG (Wk16) / CHI (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 4 |
| 97 | Tyler Higbee | Rams | — | no ADP | DAL (Wk15) / SEA (Wk16) / TB (Wk17) | +53.3 | +40.9 | +49.6 | Tier 4 |
Who owns the 10 easiest Tight End schedules?
Tight End draft rankings FAQ
How are the 2026 Tight End draft rankings calculated?
Rankings order players by FantasyFootballCalculator consensus ADP where available and by depth chart otherwise, then score each player's team with the published SOS Edge formula: 70 percent full-season opponent ease plus 30 percent playoff-week (weeks 15-17) ease, from a curated three-leg consensus of opponent defensive ranks.
Which Tight End has the easiest 2026 schedule?
David Njoku of the Chargers leads all 97 listed tight ends at +61.7 composite SOS Edge against a position average of +50.2, with a playoff-week ease of +79.6.
Should you draft tight ends early in 2026?
Take talent first and use SOS Edge to break ties inside a tier. A soft schedule is worth roughly one to two points per week at Tight End, so it justifies a half-round reach, not reaching multiple rounds over a clearly better player.
Are these Tight End rankings for PPR or standard?
The SOS Edge column measures opponent difficulty and is scoring-format independent. Our dedicated PPR, Half PPR, and Dynasty pages order the same board by each format's consensus ADP.
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