The talent cupboard has restocked well at tight end across the NFL. Rob Gronkowski has retired, but the tradition of impact receivers and blockers at the position continues with the next wave.
The Chiefs' Travis Kelce, with his fast track to Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, sets the high standard for the active tight ends. Here's starting with him and looking down at the other league best at the position:
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NFL tight end rankings 2023
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1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (age: 33)
Kelce's consistency and durability is just as impressive as his supreme athleticism for the position. He seems to keep getting better as a receiver and blocker, serving now as Patrick Mahomes' clear go-to guy. He will look to keep channeling Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez with an 8th-straight 1,000-yard season in 2023.
2022 stats: 110 catches on 152 targets, 1,338 receiving yards, 12 TDs
2. George Kittle, 49ers (age: 29)
Kittle's more limited pass-catching numbers and availability issues keep him from catching Kelce, but he is a complete behemoth with his blocking, route-running and relentlessness. Kittle still does have the edge in helping the running game.
2022 stats: 60 catches on 86 targets, 765 receiving yards, 11 TDs
3. Mark Andrews, Ravens (age: 27)
Andrews saw a dip in his league-best receiving production for the position in 2022 but he remained dangerous as a field-stretching and a red zone threat. He should revved up again for a more dynamic passing scheme for Lamar Jackson under Todd Monken.
2022 stats: 73 catches on 113 targets, 847 yards, 5 TDs
4. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (age: 26)
Hockenson has been inconsistent early in his career but he's settled into a nice groove for his second NFC North team after a surprise trade last midseason. He's got the Kittle pedigree and moxie also coming out of Iowa. He should be Minnesota's key second target after Justin Jefferson with Adam Thielen gone.
2022 stats (also with Lions): 86 catches on 129 targets, 914 yards, 6 TDs
5. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (age: 24)
The Steelers envisioned Freiermuth to be their updated version of Heath Miller, a reliable gritty all-around tight end who does whatever's needed depending on the offensive direction. He should be a bigger factor for second-year QB Kenny Pickett.
2022 stats: 63 catches on 98 targets, 732 yards, 2 TDs
6. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (age: 22)
Pitts battled through a sophom*ore slump tied to shaky QB play and then a torn MCL that required knee surgery cut short his season. Pitts has the skill set to play well off wide receiver Drake London and be a more active security blanked for second-year QB Desmond Ridder.
2022 stats: 28 catches on 59 targets, 356 yards, 2 TDs
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7. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (age: 28)
Goedert hasn't been a big scorer so far in five seasons and is still looking for his first Pro Bowl nod. But he's stable as a downfield target for Jalen Hurts in the middle of the field, playing well off A.J Brown and DeVonta Smith. He also has room to grow as a blocker.
2022 stats: 55 catches on 69 targets, 702 yards, 3 TDs
8. Darren Waller, Giants (age: 30)
Waller has had a long road to become a late bloomer. His receiving promise with the Ravens hit a high ceiling in Las Vegas before age and durability issues became factors the past two seasons. There's a good chance for him to be rejuvenated as the new top intermediate target for Daniel Jones.
2022 stats (with Raiders): 28 catches on 43 targets, 388 yards, 3 TDs
9. Evan Engram, Jaguars (age: 28)
Engram had to leave the Giants to deliver on his receiving potential with a fully healthy season as a key target for Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville. He was rewarded with a lucrative contract. Engram is a great fit in the offense playing off a deeper wideout corps.
2022 stats: 73 catches on 98 targets, 766 yards, 4 TDs
10. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans (age: 23)
Okonkwo flashed with limited opportunities last season, grabbing nearly 70 percent of his targets and averaging 14.1 yards per catch. He should see a more regular role as a field-stretching receiving in a limited wideout corps.
2022 stats: 32 catches on 46 targets, 450 yards, 3 TDs
11. Dalton Schultz, Texans (age: 27)
Schultz cashed in as a free agent after two outstanding years as a vital target for Dak Prescott in Kellen Moore's offense. He was supposed to be a run-blocker first but ha put it together in the passing game, too. He's in a good spot helping rookie C.J. Stroud in a tight end-friendly scheme.
2022 stats (with Cowboys): 57 catches on 89 targets, 577 yards, 5 TDs
12. Cole Kmet, Bears (age: 24)
Kmet also got a nice new contract because of his complete play. He's an equal asset as an intermediate receiver for Justin Fields as he is as a run blocker supporting the strength of the offensive line.
2022 stats: 50 catches on 69 targets, 544 yards, 7 TDs
13. Dawson Knox, Bills (age: 26)
Knox made his first Pro Bowl to reward Buffalo officials for giving him a big bump with his contract extension. He's been a favorite target of Josh Allen from the get-go. It will interesting to see how his well-rounded presence meshes in versatile 12 personnel with super-athletic rookie first-rounder Dalton Kincaid.
2022 stats: 48 catches on 65 targets, 517 yards, 6 TDs
14. David Njoku, Browns (age: 27)
Njoku has been a good all-around asset in the passing game since being drafted in the first round in 2017. The Browns untapped him as an athletic receiver more again in 2022 and he can build on that with a full season of Deshaun Watson at QB.
2022 stats: 58 catches for 80 targets, 628 yards, 4 TDs
15. Greg Dulcich, Broncos (age: 23)
Dulcich blew up the Combine with his athleticism last year. Denver should try to work him more into a remixed receiving corps for Russell Wilson in the new offense under Sean Payton and Joe Lombardi. For that to happen, he needs to show more competency as a blocker, but the real second-year upside is there.
2022 stats: 33 catches on 55 targets, 411 yards, 2 TDs
