The New Reality No. 248: 2026 Free Agent Tight Ends

Navigating the ever-changing landscape of dynasty fantasy football, including everything from team-building and player evaluations to NFL research and forecasting.

Chad Parsons's The New Reality No. 248: 2026 Free Agent Tight Ends Chad Parsons Published 12/02/2025

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Quick Links: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End

The 2026 NFL free-agent class is loaded with big names at the skill positions. Here is a look at the tight ends potentially on the move and the dynasty impact of their free-agent status.

Last year, and in general, the biggest names in free agency returned to their incumbent teams. Tight ends typically move more than the top wide receivers. The 2026 free agent tight end class has the potential to be the most impactful in recent years.

Tier 1

This is an all-star collection of impactful starters. Travis Kelce is likely back in Kansas City or retiring. Both Baltimore tight ends of note as free agents offer a significant storyline in the offseason. Both have underperformed their career peaks in 2025, especially Isaiah Likely, who is having a horrendous season in a contract year after looking like a future starter in previous seasons.

Kyle Pitts Sr. has still struggled to match the levels he reached in his rookie season due to multiple injuries, in what has been a general disappointment for a rookie contract for a top-five selection. David Njoku was a late bloomer himself, but Cleveland's hitting on Harold Fannin Jr. affords them the luxury of moving on from the older Njoku for the rookie contract rewards over the next few seasons. 

Tier 2

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