2025 NFL Tight End Rankings: Week 4

Every year, I put together the words, “It seems like there are a lot more injuries this year.” Then I realize I’ve compared that thought to nothing, and that if I took a few moments to match numbers to prior years, I would find that this year is not uncommon in a sport where literally hundreds of violent collisions occur in every game.

It amuses me that I have that dance repeatedly; I suppose as a way to desensitize myself to the violence, so I can speak in an objective voice about human beings harming themselves for money.

My existential crisis of the week comes to an end here.

We have our first international game of the 2025 NFL season coming up on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EDT. The few times in a season being on the West Coast is a time disadvantage. I’ll mention the matchup below.

A few injuries will affect tight ends. Directly:

1. Isaiah Likely has missed all of the Ravens’ games so far with a foot injury. There is some hope he’ll return this coming week. I’ll update his status later in the week in the comments. Also, Mark Andrews is not dead yet.
2. Evan Engram was held out of the Broncos’ Week 3 game due to a back injury. No word yet on his availability for Week 4 vs. Cincinnati, and their game is the last game start of the weekend.
3. Tyler Warren and Tucker Kraft gave us a bit of concern heading to Week 3, but neither seemed worse for the wear. Both had quiet days with their QBs throwing 25 passes each.
4. Brock Bowers has been playing a full contingent of snaps, but is still wearing a knee brace. He still appears to, in my eyes, be having some issues with mobility. Michael Mayer sustained a concussion in Week 3, and his Week 4 availability is in question. Ian Thomas is the only other TE currently on the roster: he’s played a blocking role in their first three games. Albert Okwuegbunam or Carter Runyam will likely be activated from the practice squad if Mayer is out. Mayer barely had any fantasy value, and I don’t expect anyone outside of Bowers will either.
5. Dallas Goedert returned in Week 3 and seemed none the worse for the game he missed. He only had two targets, but I suspect that was caused more by the Rams’ defense than a physical limitation. His only reception went for 33 yards and a TD.
6. Colston Loveland had a 31-yard reception on 3 targets before he injured his hip on his sixth snap and did not return. He could miss Week 4, but the usage is encouraging.
7. Ja’Tavion Sanders suffered an ankle injury in the 4^th quarter against Atlanta and did not return. It’s being reported as a high-ankle sprain, and he could miss multiple weeks. Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and James Mitchell are on the roster: Tremble is a capable pass catcher, but has never been a volume guy; Evans is a 22-year-old rookie from Notre Dame who has been targeted twice; and Mitchell had a few targets when he was in Detroit, but has not been active yet for the Panthers.
8. Bengals TE Noah Fant is in the concussion protocol. Cincinnati is Denver’s opponent for the second Monday night game of Week 4. I’m staying away from the Bengals’ players outside of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown, and I don’t feel that great about Brown.
9. Chargers TE Will Dissly missed the game against the Broncos. Tucker Fisk picked up blocking duties. Tyler Conklin and Oronde Gadsden each played 22 snaps, but Gadsden was the preferred choice for receiving duties with a 7/5/46/0 line: the only two targets he did not catch were in the red zone. Gadsden is a speculative add, but I’m not going overboard to get him yet. That was also a game where the Chargers ran 86 offensive plays, and four other Chargers had at least as many targets as Gadsden did.
10. Darren Waller may make his debut for the Dolphins in Week 4.

Indirectly:

1. CeeDee Lamb suffered an injury against the Bears that is being called a high-ankle sprain. Dr. Lamb reportedly thinks he can play Week 4 against the Packers, but I’m wary when doctors diagnose themselves. Dr. Jerry Jones says Lamb could land on injured reserve. George Pickens eerily had the same base stats that he had in Week 2: 9 targets, 5 receptions, 68 yards, and 1 TD. Jake Ferguson had 13 receptions on 14 targets for 82 yards and has 26/22/160 over the last two weeks. He hasn’t had a TD and has only 2 targets in the red zone. That could change with Lamb out. Ferguson has benefited from an offensive shootout in Week 2 and a game the Cowboys trailed significantly in Week 3. Nearly as big an injury: rookie right guard Tyler Booker has a high ankle sprain as well. That’s a blow to the running game.
2. Carson Wentz looked good in a game where the defense destroyed its opponent. They didn’t need heroics from Wentz, but he was beneficial to the tight ends: T.J. Hockenson came into the game at 7/4/27/0 and had a 6/5/49/1 line against the Bengals. Wentz’s other TD pass went to a TE as well: Josh Oliver hauled in his only target for a 12-yard TD. Next up for the Vikings is the first-ever matchup in Dublin, Ireland, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by a game in London versus the Browns. I would be surprised to see J.J. McCarthy on the field at least until the Vikes return to the U.S. WR Jordan Addison is expected to make his 2025 debut now that he has served his suspension.
3. Tyrod Taylor started for Justin Fields in Tampa Bay and nearly helped the Jets pull off an upset until Baker Mayfield’s late-game heroics snatched victory away. Mason Taylor had his best day as a pro, albeit with a 6/4/18/0 line. The 6 targets tied for second on the team with Breece Hall. Mason Taylor needs to be on redraft watch lists.
4. Like Wentz, the Commanders did not need much from Marcus Mariota in the passing game against the Raiders: only 22 of the Commanders’ 54 plays were dropbacks. The low volume worked out well for Luke McCaffrey (43-yard TD reception) and Terry McLaurin (56-yard reception). Zach Ertz had a 3/3/38/0 line; once the Commanders took control in the 3^rd quarter, they seemed content to let Ben Sinnott and Colston Yankoff handle the mop-up. McLaurin did suffer a quad injury, and it’s unclear if he’ll miss time.
5. Mike Evans could miss some time with a hamstring injury. Emeka Egbuka is making a strong argument for offensive rookie of the year, and didn’t seem to miss a beat despite a questionable tag with hip and groin injuries leading up to Week 3. Chris Godwin seems to be nearing a return, along with LT Tristan Wurfs. It would not surprise me to see Godwin eased in. I’d like to upgrade TE Cade Otton, but Baker Mayfield’s passing attempts have been lighter so far vs. 2024, and Sterling Shepard and the running backs have been making up the shortfalls for missed time by the WRs. Otton would be a speculative add that may not pay off.
6. Indianapolis WR Alec Pierce suffered a concussion and is in the protocol. He’ll be evaluated during the week.
7. Green Bay right tackle Zach Tom aggravated the oblique injury that caused him to miss the Week 2 game on the first play of the Week 3 game. Left guard Aaron Banks suffered a groin injury.
8. Cleveland OT Jack Conklin (elbow) missed the Week 3 game, and OT Dewand Jones suffered a knee injury against Green Bay. Cornelius Lucas and KT Leveston are the healthy tackles. Joshua Miles and Tyre Phillips are on the practice squad.
9. Jacksonville WR Dyami Brown left the game vs. Houston with a shoulder injury. Parker Washington led the WRs in targets (11) and was second in snaps to Brian Thomas. TE Brenton Strange led the Jags with 6 receptions, and his 7 targets were second to Washington.
10. Chargers RG Mekhi Becton (concussion) and RT Trey Pippins (lower right leg) will be monitored this week.
11. Giants RB Tyrone Tracy dislocated his shoulder Sunday night and could wind up on IR. Cam Skattebo appears to be the lead back with Devin Singletary backing him up. Theo Johnson is the clear TE1, but only has a 10/6/49/0 line through three games. QB Jaxson Dart has been named the new starter: the opponent for his first game is the Chargers. With Khalil Mack out, their pressures have fallen off somewhat, but their coverage is graded 3^rd by PFF. OT Andrew Thomas returned Sunday night, but only played 2 plays after the first 26. Keep an eye on how they ramp him up.
12. Eagles RT Lane Johnson left the Rams game with a neck injury.
13. 49ers QB Mac Jones had a flare-up of the PCL injury he’s been dealing with since training camp. Brock Purdy may return this week. TE Jake Tonges is an add for depth in deeper leagues, but Jones was hyper-focused on Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey: they combined to have 26 of the 38 targets against Arizona.

I believe we have enough data points in the 2025 season that I can do away with comparing 2024 rankings, so the “2025 Opp Rank” column will be fantasy points allowed by the defense of the team the tight end is playing season to date. The ranking numbers are for the defense allowing the most points per game to TEs (1) to the defense allowing the fewest points per game to TEs (32). As an example, Trey McBride and the Cardinals are playing the Seahawks on Thursday, and they have allowed the most points per game to TEs.

These rankings are for Week 4 games ONLY. If you want to speak about them, hit me up in the COMMENTS, which is also where I will post updates on Fridays.

These rankings are for base PPR leagues: 1 point per reception, 1 point for 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 points per touchdown, and -2 points per fumble lost. No premiums or bonuses.

I’ll give player, player’s team, opponent this week, home or road game (H/R), day of game, time of game (early (E), late (L), or night (N)), opponent’s 2025 rank vs. tight ends, current projected team total per ESPNBET, PPR points per game (PPG), PPR PPG scoring rank for the season (Sc Rk), and percent rostered per FantasyPros (Rost %).

Be sure to check out the latest tools on Razzball.com: Slot vs. Wide PPG Allowed | WR Slot vs. Wide| DEF Targets Allowed | Home vs. Away | Wins vs. Losses | TD Tool | RB Zone vs. Gap Rushing | DEF Zone vs. Gap Rushing |

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