The tight end position can often be a weekly guessing game for fantasy football managers. However, Week 1 provided some valuable clarity heading into the second week of the 2026 regular season. Trey McBride wasted no time reinforcing his status as one of the premier fantasy options at the position. Tyler Warren and Sam LaPorta remain attractive starters. Further down the rankings, other tight ends stand out as particularly intriguing sleepers entering Week 2. Injuries add another layer of uncertainty, with Brock Bowers' potential return among the most important developments fantasy managers will be watching throughout the week.
Week 2 Top Fantasy Football Picks
Trey McBride, ARI (vs. SEA)
McBride looked every bit like an elite fantasy football tight end in Arizona's 26-14 victory over the Chargers. He hauled in nine of 13 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett consistently looked McBride's way. That type of volume is precisely what fantasy managers want from their starting tight end. McBride enters the matchup with Seattle as arguably the safest tight end play on the board. McBride should be treated as a locked-in TE1.
Tyler Warren, IND (@ KC)
Warren's statistical line was hardly spectacular. He three of five targets for 13 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. The Ravens' defense consistently limited his opportunities after the catch. The touchdown, however, prevented the outing from becoming a complete fantasy disappointment. More importantly, Warren remains an important part of Shane Steichen's passing attack. The matchup with Kansas City presents a chance for Warren to bounce back. His Week 1 yardage should not be viewed as representative of his expected production. Warren remains a viable TE1 option.
Sam LaPorta, DET (@ BUF)
LaPorta returned to action with a solid workload. He caught five of eight targets for 48 yards in Detroit's victory over New Orleans. The eight targets were encouraging, particularly considering the Lions also generated significant involvement for Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown. His involvement alongside Detroit's explosive receivers demonstrates that there are enough opportunities within the offense. The matchup with Buffalo may be challenging. However,k the potential for another high-volume passing game keeps LaPorta firmly in the TE1 mix.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleepers
Harold Fannin Jr., CLE (@ TB)
Fannin was held in check during Cleveland's 34-10 loss to Jacksonville. He caught just two of three targets for 21 yards. Now, Fannin gets a chance to erase that forgettable debut against Tampa Bay. The key question is whether Cleveland's offense can sustain enough drives to give him meaningful opportunities. If his target share climbs, he has enough receiving ability to become a useful streaming option.
Jake Ferguson, DAL (vs. WAS)
Ferguson's Week 1 performance was one to forget. He caught just two passes for six yards during Dallas' loss to the Giants. In Week 2, he has a shot at a Commanders defense that gave up 77 yards and two touchdowns to Dallas Goedert. That said, fantasy managers should temper expectations rather than automatically chasing the next big name.
Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs. CIN)
Article Continues BelowSchultz is arguably the most attractive sleeper of this group based on the matchup alone. He posted a modest four catches for 35 yards on eight targets in Week 1. However, the target volume is encouraging. The Bengals surrendered the most fantasy points to tight ends by a wide margin in 2025. They also allowed a league-high 116 receptions, 1,444 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns to the position. That is an extraordinarily favorable statistical profile for Schultz heading into Week 2.
Injury and late-week notes
The biggest tight end injury storyline belongs to Bowers. He missed Las Vegas' Week 1 victory over Miami after undergoing a surprise knee procedure. Bowers has a chance to return against the Chargers in Week 2. That makes his practice participation one of the most important things to monitor this week. If Bowers is cleared, he immediately re-enters the upper tier of the tight end rankings.
If Bowers remains sidelined, Michael Mayer becomes a useful streaming option. Mayer caught six of seven targets for 32 yards in the opener. Increased target volume makes him a viable replacement in deeper formats.
Chig Okonkwo is another tight end to monitor after being listed with a hamstring issue. Any change in his practice participation could influence Week 2 lineup decisions.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings â 2026
25. Greg Dulcich, MIA (@ SF)
24. Gunnar Helm, TEN (vs PHI)
23. Cade Otton, TB (vs CLE)
22. TJ Hockenson, MIN (@ CHI)
21. Pat Freiermuth, PIT (@ NE)
20. Hunter Henry, NE (vs PIT)
19. Jake Ferguson, DAL (vs WAS)
18. Dalton Schultz, HOU (vs CIN)
17. Mark Andrews, BAL (vs NO)
16. Chig Okonkwo, WAS (@ DAL)
15. Brenton Strange, JAC (@ DEN)
14. Travis Kelce, KC (vs IND)
13. George Kittle, SF (vs MIA)
12. Dallas Goedert, PHI (@ TEN)
11. Juwan Johnson, NO (@ BAL)
10. Kyle Pitts Sr., ATL (vs CAR)
9. Michael Mayer, LV (@ LAC)
8. Harold Fannin Jr., CLE (@ TB)
7. Isaiah Likely, NYG (@ LAR)
6. Dalton Kincaid, BUF (vs DET)
5. Sam LaPorta, DET (@ BUF)
4. Tucker Kraft, GB (@ NYJ)
3. Tyler Warren, IND (@ KC)
2. Colston Loveland, CHI (vs MIN)
1. Trey McBride, ARI (vs SEA)
Bottom Line
McBride is the clear centerpiece of the Week 2 tight end rankings. LaPorta and Warren remain strong options as well. Schultz is the sleeper who could benefit most from an enticing matchup and increased opportunity.
The tight end position is always about opportunity, and Week 2 offers several players with precisely that. Fantasy managers should trust McBride's proven workload and keep a close eye on the injury reports before locking in their lineups. One unexpected breakout could make all the difference at a position where reliable production is at a premium.