The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2026 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference. When it comes to taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. Today, it’s the second group of NFC tight end rooms. Teams appear in ascending order.
#8 Detroit Lions
On the Roster: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Zach Horton, Gordon Thomas, and Miles Kiteselman
About: The Lions have an interesting and sturdy group. It’s capped off by LaPorta, who was TE1 in his rookie year. He hasn’t reached that height in the two seasons since, missing time with injury and being part of a passing attack that features Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Jahmyr Gibbs has capped some upside. Still, he’s a Top 10 TE in dynasty, finishing as TE7 on a points per game basis.
Behind him, they have a sturdy veteran in Wright, who is a good blocker. But they actually added Conklin this off-season, which gives some pass-catching upside in the depth. LaPorta helps get them a good spot, Conklin solidifies this group as top half of the NFC.
#7 Los Angeles Rams
On the Roster: Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, Max Klare, Rohan Johnson, Davis Allen, Mark Redman, and Dan Villari
About: This is a case where the whole is greater than its individual parts. The Rams have a lot of tight ends, and a lot of options at tight end. We’ve seen several of them—including Parkinson and Higbee—have breakout moments in recent years. The team also added Ferguson in last year’s draft and Klare in the Third-Round of this year’s draft. This is a deep room with a lot of options for Matthew Stafford and a high-powered passing game.
#6 Arizona Cardinals
On the Roster: Trey McBride, Tip Reimann, Elijah Higgins, Teagan Quitoriano, Rivaldo Fairweather, and Jameson Geers
About: The Cardinals have a lot of guys on the roster. But when it comes to production, only one name matters—McBride. He’s been a top tight end in the league the past few years and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s arguably the team’s best pass catcher and best offensive weapon. He finished as TE1 in 2025 with more than 100 total points and six points per game better than the TE2. He’s a machine. The only reason the Cardinals are this high is McBride. The reason they aren’t higher is there’s nothing behind him.
#5 Green Bay Packers
On the Roster: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, Josh Whyle, Drake Dabney, Messiah Swinson, and R.J. Maryland
About: This was close with the Cardinals. McBride is a beast, and I’d take him over anyone on the Packers. But Kraft had a good breakout in 2025, and behind him Musgrave—taken in the Third Round of the same draft class—is a great TE2 option, that’s far superior to what Arizona has behind McBride. So, I like the tag-team duo in Green Bay. The question is how quickly Kraft can return from injury. Prior to getting hurt, he was tied for TE2 on a points-per-game basis with Brock Bowers and George Kittle. That’s elite company. If he returns to form, it will benefit the Packers greatly.
#4 Atlanta Falcons
On the Roster: Kyle Pitts, Austin Hooper, Charlie Woerner, Joshua Simon, and Jack Velling
About: The Falcons have a great room. Pitts put it together in a great way in 2025. He finished as TE2, thriving most when Kirk Cousins was at quarterback. This year, he’ll be back with Michael Penix, Jr., or Tua Tagovailoa. But he’s in an offense from Kevin Stefanski, who knows how to utilize the tight end in the passing game. Behind him, the Falcons have some options and brought back veteran Hooper as the No. 2. He has experience with the Falcons and with Stefanski, which should help him thrive.
#3 San Francisco 49ers
On the Roster: George Kittle, Jake Tonges, Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, Hayden Rucci, and Khalil Dinkins
About: The 49ers have a strong room. It starts with Kittle, who as I noted above was TE2 on a points-per-game basis in 2025. He has a tendency to miss games, which is why the addition of Tonges has been so invaluable. Tonges picked up right where Kittle left off, making him a sneaky stash in fantasy. I like the depth there.
#2 Philadelphia Eagles
On the Roster: Dallas Goedert, Eli Stowers, Johnny Mundt, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt, Cameron Latu, and Dae’Quan Wright
About: The Eagles have been preparing for life without Goedert for the past two off-seasons. They have been adding pieces and players to give them options. Then they keep bringing Goedert back. He finished as TE7 in 2025, still one of the better options in the league. Now, they have the top rookie Stowers and veteran Mundt joining the room, along with Calcaterra and a host of others. It’s one of the deepest rooms of any position in the league, and one of the best at the tight end position.
#1 Chicago Bears
On the Roster: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam Rousch, Nikola Kalinic, Qadar Ismail, Stephen Carlson, and Hayden Large
About: It was close between the Bears and Eagles here for me. The Eagles are the deeper team, but the Bears have the greater upside. Loveland, as a rookie, finished as TE10. But he saved his best for the end of the season and then into the playoffs. It’s a sign of things to come as he becomes a focal point in the passing game. In Kmet, they have a great and talented veteran, while the team also added a great rookie prospect in Rousch. That gives the Bears great upside, and great options under Ben Johnson. That made them No. 1 in the NFC for me.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
