2025 NFL Tight End Rankings: Week 6

This was a GREAT week for tight ends:

Four players had 20+ PPR points and ten had at least 16.8. Dalton Kincaid topped 100 receiving yards for the first time; his previous high was 87 in Week 17 of 2023. Even Cade Otton made me eat my words with a 5/4/81/0 line. It was a high-volume week, but with TEs, TDs are still king: of the 17 players listed, 13 crossed the goal line.

Frequently, I say all a tight end needs to be a top-12 player for the position in a given week is a touchdown. Here’s a look at red zone targets for tight ends YTD (sorted by FPTS/GM):

All stats are exclusive to red zone usage. This information is interesting in that there are players who are not on many fantasy rosters. I’m not saying they should be on rosters, but if I’m looking for a tight end to stream, AJ Barner becomes attractive. This is skewed toward his two-TD game in Week 5, and these are not all good options, but I see Carolina has three players on here, so they’re a good option if I’m looking for a TD-or-bust player. And it shows where high-volume players are a little down the list: Trey McBride is a top TE, but his usage in the red zone limits his upside, as he has caught 3 of 5 RZ targets, but for 9 yards and 1 TD. Dallas Goedert has identical RZ receptions and yardage to McBride but all his RZ targets have resulted in TDs. If you’re looking for Brock Bowers, he has 0 RZ receptions in 2025. And for those who bet on Darren Waller, his RZ usage has been great, and his snap count doubled in Week 5 to 32 from 16 in Week 4.

This is not the be-all and end-all, but a piece of the puzzle. There are no guarantees. And if you see this and say, “Why don’t they do this more?” remember there are other players on the field on both sides of the football. And tight ends do a lot of blocking.

London game: Denver Broncos @ New York Jets, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Week 6 byes: Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

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More tight end stuff:

1. 49ers TE George Kittle remains on IR; he’s eligible to be activated for Week 6 and we’ll find out later in the week what the 49ers’ plans are for Week 6.
2. The Rams were without TE Tyler Higbee and RT Rob Havenstein. Both were DNP on Wednesday for Week 6 in Baltimore. TE Colby Parkinson (concussion) was LP on Wednesday.
3. Both TEs Brock Bowers (knee) and Michael Mayer (concussion) missed the Week 5 game in Indianapolis for the Raiders. Albert Okwuegbunam was elevated from the practice squad and served as the pass-catching TE (6/5/36/0) while Ian Thomas handled blocking chores and chipped in a 3/3/20/0 line. It was revealed last week that, in addition to the PCL injury Bowers has been managing, he also has a bone bruise on the same knee. Mayer practiced in a limited fashion leading up to the Week 5 game but was unable to clear the protocol. Bowers DNP and Mayer returned to a full practice on Wednesday for Week 6.
4. Giants TE Theo Johnson had the best game of his young career, setting personal game highs for targets (7), receptions (6), and TDs (2). With Jaxson Dart under center, Johnson has had a 12/9/50/3 line in two games. He could be a primary target with WR Malik Nabers (knee) out for the season and WR Darius Slayton healing a hamstring. The 50 yards on 12 targets aren’t optimal, but Johnson also leads all tight ends for the 2025 season in red zone targets with 9.
5. Saints TE Juwan Johnson (ankle) was questionable going into the Week 5 game but played and had season lows in receptions (2) and receiving yards (17). TEs Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were activated for the game and both played. Moreau played 23 snaps but was not targeted on 4 pass plays. Hill played only 9 snaps, but touched the ball 7 times (1 pass, 6 runs).
6. Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson continues to lead the position in PPR points with 86.2. He is in front of the number 2 TE (Dalton Kincaid) by 19.5 points and would place 10^th among WRs, just behind Ja’Marr Chase. Dallas is in Charlotte this week to face the Panthers. Jaylen Waddle notwithstanding, the Panthers are tough on wideouts, but have been susceptible in the middle of the field, allowing the second-most PPR points to TEs.
7. If we haven’t rostered Jets TE Mason Taylor before the Week 5 game, the window is likely closed to get him in most leagues after a 12/9/67/0 line against Dallas. The 12 targets were a team high, and Taylor has a 19/14/132/0 line the past two weeks. Week 5’s line may not be typical as QB Justin Fields threw 46 passes on Sunday – his previous 2025 high was 27 in Week 4 – but at 0-5, the Jets may be in a trailing position often, and the offense is competitive. Taylor may be the Jets’ de facto WR2.
8. Dolphins TE Darren Waller caught all 5 of his targets against Carolina for 78 yards and a TD. If he’s not careful, he’ll stay in TE 1 territory in 12-team leagues. Waller combined with TEs Julian Hill and Tanner Conner for a 12/11/116/1 line. Waller did not practice on Wednesday, but I believe the Dolphins will rest his hip injury liberally ahead of Week 6.
9. The democracy of tight ends in Carolina was on display in Week 5 as TE Mitchell Evans hauled in his only target for a 4-yard touchdown that was the winner for the Panthers. Tommy Tremble had a 2/1/7/0 line after posting an 8/5/42/1 line in Week 4. James Mitchell had a 1/1/11/0 line. Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle) had a limited practice on Wednesday as he tries to work his way back.
10. Lions TE Sam LaPorta had his most active week since Week 1 with a 6/5/92/1 line; the “1” is his first TD in the 2025 season. LaPorta is not a volume play, especially with the current state of the Lions’ passing game: QB Jared Goff is on pace for his fewest passing attempts in a season since he came to Detroit. The Lions’ schedule gets more challenging from here, so perhaps the Lions will have to lean away from the running game more.
11. Bengals TE Noah Fant returned in Week 5 but had no targets in a game where the tight ends did not figure in much as pass catchers vs. Detroit. Mike Gesicki had a 5/2/15/0 line and Drew Sample caught his only target for a 1-yard loss. Sample (ankle) DNP on Wednesday.
12. Commanders TE Zach Ertz did not catch his only target in Week 5 against the Chargers. It was the first time he failed to log a reception in a game he played since Week 12 of 2014 against Dallas. John Bates had the only reception by a Commanders tight end. Ertz is still being employed as the pass-catching back, but his snap counts have been lower since QB Jayden Daniels got hurt.
13. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce had his best game of the season in Jacksonville with an 8/7/61/1 line.
14. Jaguars TE Brenton Strange hurt his left quad against the Chiefs in the first half and did not return to the game. They placed him on IR on Tuesday. I can’t currently recommend Johnny Mundt, Hunter Long, or Quentin Morris for redraft leagues.
15. Apologies to whoever I recommended Patriots TE Hunter Henry to for Week 5. He was second on the team in targets and had a shot at a TD, but results matter.
16. Early indications are that Bears TE Colston Loveland (hip) is feeling better and could return for the Week 6 game Monday night in Washington, DC.
17. Other returning TEs: Kyle Pitts, Cole Kmet, Tucker Kraft, Jonnu Smith, Pat Freiermuth.

Other stuff:

1. The Eagles are in New Jersey for Week 6 against the Giants and the football world freaked when RB Saquon Barkley registered as “did not participate” (now we know what DNP stands for) for Monday’s practice with a knee injury. Not that Monday’s session was a practice; it was an estimation. Barkley does not have an injury designation for the game. TE Grant Calcaterra (oblique) and G Landon Donovan (ankle) are out for the game.
2. The Giants scored touchdowns on their first two drives and said, “You know what? We’re good.” Their last eight possessions: punt, punt, fumble, fumble, fumble returned for a TD, interception, interception, turnover on downs. They have a game on Thursday night against the defending World Champions who lost an ugly game in Week 5, so the Eagles should be in a good mood. WR Darius Slayton hurt his hamstring and could miss a few weeks. QB Jaxson Dart (hamstring) will play against the Eagles, and RB Tyrone Tracy (shoulder) will be available. I’m going to riff for a moment: I saw a glib comment by an analyst that says Tracy is “good to go” as if he’s a car that got its tires changed. Tell me you’ve never separated your shoulder without saying it. Tracy has yet to practice in full as his injury occurred less than three weeks ago. He’ll be in uniform on Thursday; how much he plays remains to be seen. The Giants have the luxury of leaning on a healthier back. End of riff.
3. The 49ers were without QB Brock Purdy and WRs Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings in Week 5. QB Mac Jones (knee) looked like he belonged on a Revolutionary War poster by the end of the Week 5 game. Purdy, Pearsall, and Jennings all DNP on Wednesday; Jones was limited.
4. The Vikings are on a bye for Week 6. QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is expected to practice leading up to Week 7. QB Carson Wentz injured his non-throwing shoulder near the end of the first half in London and played the second half in a harness. They’ll also try to heal up their offensive line as C Mitchell Jurgens, LG Donovan Jackson, and RT Brian O’Neill all missed Week 5. C Ryan Kelly was placed on IR after sustaining his second concussion of the season in Week 4.
5. QB Dillon Gabriel made his first start in London, but that did not change the Browns’ fortunes. Gabriel was best using his tight ends as David Njoku and Harold Fannin had 10 receptions on 13 targets for 80 yards and both of Gabriel’s TD passes. Isaiah Bond had 7 targets and Jerry Jeudy had 5, but they each only had 2 receptions. Bond had 29 yards and Jeudy had 15.
6. The Colts rode six TDs to the win against the Raiders, but lost K Spencer Schrader when Raiders S Tristin McCollum ran into Schrader’s right knee. It was revealed that Schrader tore multiple ligaments and will miss the rest of the season. Right now, it looks like Michael Badgley will get first crack at replacing Schrader. They may want to train a backup holder: one of the reasons the Colts repeatedly passed on kicks after Schrader left the game is that punter Rigoberto Sanchez is both the holder and the backup kicker. WR Alec Pierce (concussion) missed his second straight game but fully practiced on Wednesday ahead of the game against Arizona.
7. Saints RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle) missed the Week 5 game and could miss Week 6 against the Patriots at the Superdome. Reports are that he will not go on IR.
8. The Cowboys were without WRs CeeDee Lamb (ankle) and Kevonte Turpin (foot), as well as RG Tyler Booker (ankle) and LT Tyler Guyton (concussion). Lamb, Turpin, and Booker DNP on Wednesday; Guyton was limited.
9. The Jets head to London to “host” the Broncos. WR Allen Lazard (personal) did not travel with the team and has already been ruled out for the game. RB Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) hasn’t suited up since Week 1 and did not participate in practice on Wednesday.
10. The Broncos trailed 17-3 heading into the 4th quarter in Philly in Week 5 and scored 18 unanswered points to hand the Eagles their first loss. I quipped that QB Bo Nix may be a slow starter after Week 1; he seems to be over it, leading three scoring drives in the 4^th. They’ll be heading to London without LG Ben Powers (biceps), who will reportedly be placed on injured reserve. RB Tyler Badie injured his shoulder against the Eagles; he practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday.
11. The Dolphins joined a club of teams that frittered away significant leads in Week 5, scoring on their first three possessions and jumping out to a 17-0 lead with 4:12 gone in the second quarter. They then punted on six of their last seven possessions, allowing the Panthers to overtake them to lose 24-27. QB Tua Tagovailoa had 256 passing yards and 3 TDs, but the Dolphins only managed 19 rushing yards on 14 carries. In the first game without WR Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle had a 9/6/110/1 line, WR2 Malik Washington caught 4 of 5 targets, but for 0 yards, and WR3 Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was not targeted on 29 pass plays. The Dolphins return to Miami for a game with the Chargers in Week 6.
12. The Panthers were without RB Chuba Hubbard (calf) in Week 5, and he DNP on Wednesday ahead of the Cowboys game in Charlotte. They were just fine with Rico Dowdle and his 234 scrimmage yards on 26 touches. He also scored on a 1-yard run to give the Panthers their first lead against the Dolphins. Revenge game for Week 6, anyone? WR Jalen Coker (quadriceps) has had his 21-day practice window opened and was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice. RT Taylor Moton (elbow) DNP.
13. Speaking of revenge games, the Texans absolutely dunked on the undermanned Ravens, 44-10, in a game that saw a rare sighting of 2023 C.J. Stroud (23 for 27, 244 passing yards, 4 TDs, a 30-yard run). The Texans hadn’t beaten the Ravens since 2014, and since 2019 had lost by 7-41, 16-33, 9-25, 10-34, and 2-31 last Christmas Day. Houston is on bye this week.
14. The result against Houston was the Ravens’ most lopsided home loss in team history. At 1-4, analysts are already feeding on HC John Harbaugh’s rotting carcass, putting him on the “hot seat.” If the Ravens were that shortsighted, they would likely have moved on already, either during the 2015-2017 seasons when they didn’t make the playoffs or after 2021 when they finished last in their division. I suppose they could prove me wrong, but I’m dubious. The Rams visit on Sunday, then the Ravens reach their much-needed bye. Of the nine players that missed Week 5, only S Kyle Hamilton, OT Ronnie Stanley, and WR Devontez Walker practiced at all on Wednesday.
15. The Titans won their first game of the season, scoring 16 unanswered 4^th quarter points to win 22-21 in Arizona. QB Cam Ward passed for a career-high 265 air yards, and WR Calvin Ridley went from very questionable leading up to the game to a 10/5/131/0 line. RB Tyjae Spears (ankle) returned after missing the first four games of the season, but doesn’t look 100% and was limited in practice on Wednesday. RT JC Latham (hip) and WR Bryce Oliver returned to a limited practice. WR Van Jefferson (ankle) and G Blake Hance DNP. The Titans are in Las Vegas for Week 6.
16. Stop me if you’ve heard this before: the Cardinals built a 21-3 lead 4:17 into the second quarter. Their final 8 possessions went punt, punt, punt, fumble, punt, fumble, punt, punt before losing 22-21 on a field goal in the game’s final play. RB Emari Demercardo fumbled the ball while celebrating on the 1-yard line after a 71-yard run, and the ball went out of the end zone for a touchback and a turnover. Turning farce into tragedy, HC Jonathan Gannon went over to where a teammate was consoling Demercado and lit into the running back, allegedly making contact with Demercado and incurring a $100,000 fine by the team. Instead of a 28-6 lead, the Titans scored a TD on the ensuing possession, and after another Cardinals’ punt, the Titans drove that ensuing possession to the edge of Arizona’s red zone, where QB Cam Ward had a pass tipped then intercepted by Cards S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, who fumbled at the Titans 5-yard line where Cards S Budda Baker kicked the ball into the Cards’ end zone where Titans WR Tyler Lockett fell on the ball for a Titans TD to make it 21-19. Take a moment to unpack all that or just go watch it online to the theme music from “The Benny Hill Show.” The loss was the Cardinals’ third straight. The Cards will try to boot and rally in Indianapolis, where Marvin Harrison Jr. will face his father’s former team for the first time. QB Kyler Murray (foot) was a DNP on Wednesday, but there’s no indication he’ll miss time at this point. LG Evan Brown (hamstring) will try to return to the lineup.
17. The NFL is SO much better with Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield in it. Before Sunday’s game, one of Seattle’s always erudite “12^th Men” (12^th Mans?) verbally compared Mayfield, who was waiting in the tunnel to the field, to a vacuum cleaner. Baker told the fan, “You’ll be quiet at halftime,” which is one of the few things he got wrong on Sunday. He made a better statement on the field, going 29 of 33 for 379 passing yards with 2 TDs and adding 15 rushing yards. Baker and the fan exchanged words again after the game where the fan showed his mental dexterity by verbally comparing Mayfield to a vacuum cleaner. WRs Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (fibula), along with RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder), were DNP on Wednesday ahead of the game in Tampa vs. the 49ers. I sense Godwin’s is rest-related; Evans and Irving are less clear.
18. The Seahawks were missing DE DeMarcus Lawrence, S Julian Love, and CB Devon Witherspoon, and did not look like the defense that had allowed the third-fewest points coming into the game. During the game, they also lost LB Derick Hall (oblique) and CB Riq Woolen (concussion). None of the five, along with LB Ernest Jones IV (shoulder), participated in practice on Wednesday.
19. Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (wrist), OT Taylor Decker (shoulder), WR Kalif Raymond (neck), and RB Sione Vaki (groin) all DNP on Wednesday. Decker missed Week 5, Raymond was hurt in the Week 5 game, and Vaki was injured at Baltimore in Week 3. Keep an eye on St. Brown, but there’s little reason to think he won’t be available Sunday night at Arrowhead.
20. The Bengals acquired QB Joe Flacco from the Browns on Tuesday and have already inserted him as the starter in Green Bay on Sunday. Flacco had a lousy O-line in Cleveland and may have a worse one here, but he will receive an upgrade in receivers. LG Dylan Fairchild (knee) DNP on Wednesday. RG Lucas Patrick (calf) has had his 21-day practice window open and had a limited practice on Wednesday. WR Charlie Jones (Achilles) was limited on Wednesday.
21. Even with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels’ return, the team did not get going until a second-quarter turnover by the Chargers that led to 27 unanswered points in the 27-10 win in Los Angeles. WR Noah Brown (groin/knee) missed his third straight game and WR Terry McLaurin (quad) missed his second, but WR Deebo Samuel and the running backs have been holding the fort while they’ve been gone. The Commanders have the late game on Monday night and will not practice until Thursday.
22. While it would not be wrong to say the Chargers can only win games within their division, it would be reductive. There are more tangible reasons the Chargers have lost their last two games: they lost TE Will Dissly to a knee injury in Week 2, and he had been excelling as a blocker; RG Mekhi Becton left Week 3’s game with a concussion, missed the Week 4 game, and played Week 5 before leaving with a hand injury; and LT Joe Alt sprained his ankle in Week 4. QB Justin Herbert has been sacked 12 times and the Chargers are -5 in turnovers in the last three games. After having a total of 15 penalties for 107 yards in the first three games, they’ve had 24 penalties for 192 yards in the last two. Week 6 in Miami will be a wellness check. In addition to Alt’s and Becton’s injuries, RT Trey Pipkins (knee) didn’t practice and WR Quentin Johnston (hamstring) was limited on Wednesday.
23. The Patriots went toe-to-toe with the Bills in Orchard Park, limited mistakes, and walked away with the victory. QB Drake Maye was under pressure a lot of the night but kept his composure. WR Stefon Diggs was on a mission against his former team with a 12/10/146/0 line. Sadly, the Patriots lost RB Antonio Gibson for the season to a knee injury on a kickoff return in the second quarter.
24. Bills LB Matt Milano (pectoral) aggravated the injury that caused him to miss Weeks 3 and 4 after 32 snaps. DT Ed Oliver (ankle) missed his fourth straight game, and LB Dorian Williams (knee) was out against the Patriots. The Bills play on Monday in Atlanta and won’t practice until Thursday.
25. The Chiefs helped the Jaguars on Monday night with multiple mistakes: a DPI and a holding penalty on CB Jaylen Warren that kept Jacksonville’s first two touchdown drives going; a DPI on S Chamarri Conner that not only wiped out an interception by S Bryan Cook but actually allowed it to happen; and a play on 2^nd and goal from the Jaguars’ 3-yard line where QB Patrick Mahommes missed seeing LB Devin Lloyd in coverage on a pass that Lloyd intercepted at the Jags 1 and returned for 99-yard TD. WR Xavier Worthy hurt his ankle leading up to the Jags game and aggravated it during the game, but all of the Chiefs on Wednesday’s participation report practiced in full leading to Sunday night’s meeting at Arrowhead with the Lions.
26. Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence celebrated his 26^th birthday with one of the most slapstick game-winning runs I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. Go find it online and watch it. Repeatedly. The Jags started the week leading up to the Seattle game with an estimated practice: WR Dyami Brown (shoulder), RB Bhayshul Tuten (shoulder), and four offensive linemen were all listed as limited. They should practice for real beginning on Thursday.
27. Coming off the bye, some key injuries to watch: ATL WR KhaDarel Hodge (groin), ATL RB Nate Carter (hamstring), CHI RT Darnell Wright (elbow), GB LG Aaron Banks (groin – LP on Wednesday), GB RT Zach Tom (oblique – LP on Wednesday), GB RT Anthony Belton (ankle – DNP on Wednesday), PIT RB Jaylen Warren (knee – FP on Wednesday), and PIT WR Calvin Austin (shoulder – DNP on Wednesday). Atlanta and Chicago play Monday night and won’t issue their first Week 6 practice participation reports until Thursday. Also, the Packers have opened the 21-day practice window for WR Christian Watson (knee) and he logged an LP on Wednesday. No word on when he’ll return to game action, but the Packers have a reputation for being conservative with injuries.

These rankings are for Week 6 games ONLY. If you want to speak about them, hit me up in the COMMENTS, which is also where I will post updates after Friday practice participation reports are finalized.

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 %).

The Top 30 TEs for Week 6

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