Rising TE Class Expected to Shape 2026 Fantasy

6 sourcesUpdated Aug 29, 2026

Fantasy analysts highlight 2025 as a breakout year for tight ends, with 15 players averaging at least 8.0 half-PPR points per game and a strong rookie class helping carry the position into 2026 alongside established stars. The consensus for 2026 centers on using TE tiers to guide drafts, with top options like Brock Bowers and Trey McBride expected to lead targets and maintain elite production, while others such as Sam LaPorta and Isaiah Likely are rising. Bowers is singled out as a potential position leader in targets and overall fantasy TE supremacy, despite a dip in 2025 caused by injuries and suboptimal quarterback play. In Seattle, AJ Barner is not viewed as a reliable top-12 option due to the team’s emphasis on the run and limited scoring opportunities for tight ends. In Las Vegas, Ashton Jeanty remains the starter but carries injury and workload uncertainty, while Mike Washington Jr. has impressed in preseason and could carve out a larger role, potentially altering Jeanty’s workload and fantasy upside. Ongoing preseason reports and early ADP shifts reflect a dynamic TE landscape, with rising values for versatile backs like Washington and cautious outlooks for others, shaping how managers approach drafts this season.

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Dwyer Game-Time Decision Ahead of UNC Clash

TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer remains a question mark for the Week 0 showdown with North Carolina due to a lingering foot injury, with multiple reports indicating he may be a game-time decision or unavailable. If Dwyer cannot play, Terry Shelton and others would step up as the top targets for quarterback Jaden Craig as TCU adjusts its receiving corps for the Ireland opener.

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Gary Adornato, a veteran high school sports journalist, has built a digital-first career from the Baltimore Sun in 1982 to launching and leading platforms like MIAASports.com, DigitalSports.com, and VarsitySportsNetwork.com. He joined High School On SI in 2022, advanced to VP of Content in 2024, and became Publisher in 2026 after selling VSN to The Baltimore Banner.

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Last updatedAug 29, 2026

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AOLLean LeftUpdated Chris Godwin Fantasy Outlook 2026: Buccaneers WR Is Worth the Risk at Cost

cbssports.comOtherJamey Eisenberg's Fantasy Football Tight End Tiers 3.0: What rounds to draft and target your TEs in 2026

lastwordonsports.comOtherMike Washington Jr. Has Become A Must-Draft For Ashton Jeanty Fantasy Managers - Last Word On NFL

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BYU Bachmeier, Martin Return to Contend

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier reportedly turned down offers exceeding $4 million, staying rooted in BYU’s culture and community rather than chasing a bigger payday. With LJ Martin back at No. 14 BYU, the Cougars aim for a Big 12 title behind one of the most productive backfields in the FBS, led by Bachmeier’s 3,033 passing yards and 527 rushing yards last season.

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