CBS Sports analyst breaks down 2026 Fantasy Football tight end draft tiers
New analysis highlights increased production at the position, with 15 players averaging 8.0 half-PPR points per game in 2025, and offers round-by-round recommendations for veterans and rookies.
CBS Sports analyst Jamey Eisenberg has released a comprehensive tiered ranking system for drafting tight ends in 2026 Fantasy Football leagues, identifying Brock Bowers as the top prospect for the upcoming season. The guide positions Bowers ahead of Trey McBride, Colston Loveland, Tyler Warren, Sam LaPorta, and Tucker Kraft, offering a structured approach to navigating a position group that Eisenberg describes as historically strong.
The analysis underscores a significant increase in positional output, noting that 15 tight ends averaged at least 8.0 half-PPR points per game in 2025, an increase from the 10 recorded in 2024. This trend mirrors the production levels seen in 2022 and 2023, suggesting a sustained elevation in the quality of play at the position. Eisenberg attributes part of this surge to a standout rookie class that included Harold Fannin Jr., Warren, and Loveland, while veteran players such as George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Dallas Goedert continued to deliver consistent results.
Bowers is ranked as the No. 1 fantasy tight end for 2026, with Eisenberg expecting him to lead the position in targets and finish as the best fantasy option. The analyst recommends drafting Bowers in the middle of Round 2, citing his potential for Fantasy MVP status if he remains healthy. Despite a 2025 campaign limited by injury and quarterback play, Bowers’ 2024 rookie numbers of 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns provide a high baseline for expectations.
Trey McBride is ranked second, though Eisenberg anticipates statistical regression due to an improved Arizona Cardinals run game and the presence of healthy wide receivers. McBride, who led the position in targets and catches last season, is recommended for the early part of Round 3. The guide also highlights a strong tier of players including Loveland, Warren, LaPorta, Kraft, and Kyle Pitts, with specific round recommendations ranging from Round 3 to Round 7 based on projected upside and team dynamics.
Veteran tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce are recommended as top-10 options in Round 8 or later, with Kelce potentially having one more quality season before retirement. The analysis also identifies value picks such as Isaiah Likely, who joins the New York Giants, and Chigoziem Okonkwo, who moves to the Washington Commanders, both of whom are expected to secure significant target shares in their new roles.
