What's Happening?
As the 2026 fantasy football season approaches, several tight ends are being highlighted as potential breakout candidates. Among them is Tucker Kraft of the Green Bay Packers, who was on track for a career-best season in 2025 before an ACL injury cut
his campaign short. Despite this setback, Kraft is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season and is considered undervalued in fantasy drafts, ranked as TE13 by ESPN in PPR formats. Other tight ends to watch include Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens, who may see increased usage with the departure of Isaiah Likely, and Gunnar Helm of the Tennessee Titans, who steps into the TE1 role with Chig Okonkwo now on the Washington Commanders. Brenton Strange of the Jacksonville Jaguars also showed promise at the end of the 2025 season, improving his chemistry with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Why It's Important?
The tight end position in fantasy football often lacks depth beyond the top-tier players, making the identification of potential breakout candidates crucial for fantasy managers. Players like Tucker Kraft, who are returning from injury but have shown high potential, can offer significant value in the middle to late rounds of drafts. The performance of these tight ends can impact not only individual fantasy teams but also the overall dynamics of fantasy leagues. For instance, if Kraft returns to form, he could provide a substantial boost to teams that draft him at a bargain. Similarly, increased roles for players like Mark Andrews and Gunnar Helm could lead to unexpected production, shifting the balance in fantasy matchups.
What's Next?
As the NFL preseason progresses, fantasy managers will be closely monitoring the health and performance of these tight ends. Training camp reports and preseason games will provide further insights into their readiness and potential roles in their respective offenses. Teams will also be finalizing their offensive strategies, which could affect the target share and usage of these players. Fantasy analysts and managers alike will be adjusting their draft strategies based on these developments, with the potential for these tight ends to rise in draft rankings if they show strong preseason performances.
