NFL 2023 - The NFL's Best Tight Ends

Tight ends play a critical role in NFL offenses, providing both pass-catching threats and valuable blocking support. Their versatility makes them key assets in various offensive schemes.

Here are some key aspects of NFL tight ends:

    Pass Receiving

    Tight ends are often targeted by the quarterback as receiving options. They run pass routes, catch passes, and are responsible for gaining yards after the catch. Some tight ends are primary targets in the passing game, while others serve as safety valves.

    Blocking

    Tight ends are essential in blocking schemes for running plays. They help create running lanes for the ball carrier by engaging with defensive linemen and linebackers. Some tight ends excel as blockers, while others focus more on receiving.

    Route Running

    Tight ends must be proficient route runners, as they run a variety of routes, including short, intermediate, and deep patterns. They need to create separation from defenders and be reliable targets for the quarterback.

    Red Zone Targets

    Due to their size and athleticism, tight ends are often targeted in the red zone (inside the opponent's 20-yard line) for scoring opportunities. They can use their size advantage to make contested catches in the end zone.

Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce is considered the best NFL tight end. He has been the top tight end in the NFL for several years now and showing no signs of slowing down. Kelce is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He is a big, physical receiver who can win contested catches. He is also a very good route runner and has excellent hands. Kelce is also a very good blocker.

Other top tight ends in the NFL in 2023 include George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers), Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens), T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings), Dallas Goedert (Philadelphia Eagles), and Darren Waller (New York Giants).

Kelce Rising Up All-Time Ranks

Travis Kelce is one of the NFL's premier tight ends, known for his exceptional route running and receiving skills. He has consistently been a top target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Since entering the league in 2013, TRAVIS KELCE has become a two-time Super Bowl Champion and eight-time Pro Bowler, distinguishing himself as one of the best tight ends in NFL history.

In 2022, Kelce totaled 1,338 receiving yards, the fourth-most in a season by a tight end all-time. Kelce has led all tight ends in receiving yards in three of the past four seasons and owns three of the top-five single-season receiving yardage totals by a tight end in NFL history. Kelce has seven career seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, the most ever by a tight end.

Kelce also ranked third in the league with a career-high 110 receptions last season, tied for the second-most ever in a single season by a tight end. He is the only tight end in NFL history with three career seasons of 100-or-more receptions.

Kelce now has 10,344 career receiving yards, the fourth-most ever by a tight end, and 814 receptions, the fifth-most. In 2023, he can continue to climb the all-time ranks in both categories.

In addition to his historic pace in the regular season, Kelce has established himself as one of the most productive postseason players in league history.

He recorded at least six receptions, 75 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of Kansas City's playoff games last season.

In 18 career playoff games, Kelce has 133 receptions, 1,548 receiving yards and 16 touchdown receptions, all the second-most in NFL postseason history, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice in each category.

Leading Tight Ends

Following Kelce, the leading tight ends in receiving yards in 2022 were Minnesota's T.J. HOCKENSON (career-high 914 receiving yards), Baltimore's MARK ANDREWS (847), Jacksonville's EVAN ENGRAM (career-high 766) and San Francisco's GEORGE KITTLE (765).

HOCKENSON was acquired by Minnesota from Detroit in Week 9 and recorded career highs in receptions (86) receptions and receiving yards (914) in 2022, both the second-most among tight ends, and tied his career high with six touchdown receptions. He is one of two tight ends with at least 60 receptions in each of the past three seasons.

Leading Baltimore in receiving last season was ANDREWS, who had 73 receptions, tied third-most among tight ends, for 847 receiving yards, third-most among tight ends, and five touchdowns. Andrews joins Kelce as the only tight ends in the league with at least five touchdown receptions in each of the past four seasons.

Andrews enters the 2023 season with 336 career receptions, the fifth-most by a tight end in his first five seasons in NFL history, and 4,313 career receiving yards, the sixthmost by a tight end in his first five seasons. With 1,243 receiving yards this year, he will surpass Rob Gronkowski (5,555 receiving yards) for the most-ever by a tight end in his first six seasons.

During his first season with Jacksonville, ENGRAM tied for third among tight ends in receptions (career-high 73) and fourth in receiving yards (career-high 766). He is one of three tight ends (Travis Kelce and George Kittle) with at least 40 receptions in each of the past six seasons.

In an impressive Week 14 performance, Engram became the sixth tight end in NFL history with at least 10 receptions (11) for 150 yards (162) and two touchdowns in a single game. In 2023, he needs at least 40 receptions and 400 receiving yards to join Jeremy Shockey as the only tight ends ever to reach those marks in each of their first seven seasons.

In 15 games last season, KITTLE recorded 765 receiving yards and became the fifth tight end in NFL history with at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first six seasons. Since entering the league in 2017, Kittle has 5,254 career receiving yards, the third-most ever by a tight end in his first six seasons.

During the 2022 season Kittle also: Ranked second among tight ends with a career-high 11 touchdown receptions and had four games with two touchdown receptions, the most by a tight end in a season since 2015 (Tyler Eifert and Jordan Reed).

In Weeks 15-18, had seven touchdown receptions, tied for the second-most by any player over the final four games of a season in the Super Bowl era, trailing only Calvin Johnson (eight touchdown receptions in 2011).

This season, Kittle needs 55 receptions and 746 receiving yards to become the fourth tight end in NFL history with at least 450 receptions and 6,000 receiving yards in his first seven career seasons. He can also become the fourth tight end ever with at least 500 receiving yards in each of his first seven seasons.

NFL 2023 - The NFL's Best Tight Ends this Season