Fantasy Football Today: Top 12 Tight Ends for 2026! Tough Calls with the Sophomore TEs

Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Adam Aizer, Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings

Episode Overview

This engaging episode of Fantasy Football Today dives deep into the early rankings, debates, and analysis for the top 12 fantasy tight ends for the 2026 season. The FFT crew breaks down the Standouts, Sophomore Surprises, coaching/quarterback impacts, ADP tiers, and sleeper potentials at one of fantasy football’s most challenging and rapidly evolving positions. Listeners get frank takes, preseason draft mock discussions, and actionable insights on how to approach the position in drafts.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. News & Quick Notes

• Coaching Changes: Chargers expected to hire Mike McDaniel as OC, discussed as a major potential boost to the offense (03:02–04:45).
  • Heath Cummings: “It could be maybe a boost for just about everybody involved.” (03:36)
  • Dave Richard: “Just the mere fact that McDaniel got what he got out of that offensive line in Miami is really encouraging… That run game is going to be very, very fun. I love this hire.” (03:51)
• Other quick NFL notes addressed, including injury updates and minor player news.

2. Top 3 Tight Ends for 2026

• Consensus Top 2: Trey McBride and Brock Bowers are unanimous picks at 1 & 2.
  • Heath Cummings: “No, I don’t think it is [an easy call]. It may be for me. It may be changed in the coming weeks when we find out… who the quarterbacks are for these teams, who’s running, calling the plays.” (13:02)
  • McBride’s monster split with Jacoby Brissette at QB: “On pace for 137 catches, 1,366 yards, 14 touchdowns, 180 targets, 21.1 PPR fantasy points per game…” (14:01)
• Contentious #3 Spot: Debate among Loveland, Fannin (Fanon), and even Warren.
  • Dave Richard on Fanon: “He’s not sharing the field with the Burdens of dunes D.J. moore’s of the world… I can’t help but just fall for the volume.” (09:28)
  • Jamie Eisenberg on Loveland: “Loveland has the tight end friendly coach and certainly has shown the connection with his quarterback who I think is going to continue to get better.” (10:22)
  • Overall advice: “Here’s the top four: draft the fourth guy, don’t reach for the first guy.” (Dave, 11:49)

3. Next Tier: Sophomore Tight Ends In Focus (Loveland, Fannin, Tyler Warren)

• Order varies: Loveland/Fanon/Warren/Kraft/Laporta frequently appear as picks 3–7 in different orders (15:43–17:16).
• Tyler Warren Analysis:
  • Jamie Eisenberg: “I think he’s got a chance to be special. The quarterback is going to determine how this all shakes out for him, even if the receivers are back… I still think you’re just looking at him as the next guy.” (18:18)
  • Heath Cummings: “Loveland and Fanon have a little more upside than Warren does… I just think that those two are a little better players and a little more likely to have a… great tight end season.” (19:37)
  • Adam doesn’t buy Loveland & Fanon as clearly more talented than Warren: “He is… a monster out there. I have no, no qualms at all with his talent.” (20:38)
• Draft Strategy Chat:
  • Picking appropriate rounds for tier two/sophomore TEs, factoring in the unknowns of free agency, ADP, and team situation. (21:12–22:23)

4. Rookies, Sleepers, and Health Concerns (Tucker Kraft, Laporta, Pitts, Kincaid, Gadsden, Ferguson)

• Laporta and Health: Reports question Laporta’s health timeline for Week 1, sparking discussion about his fantasy value if injured. (17:16–17:22)
• Dalton Kincaid’s Usage Debate:
  • Concerns about his role as a slot-only TE and dependence on snap/route participation. (27:00–28:43)
  • Adam Aizer: “When he was on the field, 2.83 yards per out run led all tight ends…” (27:00)
• Kyle Pitts Conundrum:
  • History of unfulfilled hype, but still in top 8–9 (“I think it’s kind of hilarious that we have Kyle Pitts in our top 10.” – Adam, 29:38)
  • Heavy production correlated with Drake London’s availability
• Consensus:
  • Top 2: McBride, Bowers
  • Next 4–6: Loveland, Fanon, Warren, Kraft, Laporta (in some order)
  • 7–12s: Mix of Pitts, Kincaid, Gadsden, Ferguson, Juwan Johnson, possibly Kittle and Likely, plus sleeper names like Brenton Strange.

5. Deep Cuts & Late-Round Sleepers

• Names receiving attention: Juwan Johnson, Aronde Gadsden, Isaiah Likely, Jake Ferguson, Dallas Goedert, Brenton Strange, Terence Ferguson, Jake Tonjes
• Each with situational upside depending on injuries, team changes, and target share.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On McBride’s split with Brissette:
  Adam Azer (14:01): “Last 12 games with Jacoby Brissette, McBride was on pace for 137 catches, 1,366 yards, 14 touchdowns... 21.1 PPR fantasy points per game, which is amazing.”
• Advice for drafting TEs:
  Dave Richard (11:49): “The move here for 2026 drafts could be, here’s the top four: draft the fourth guy, don’t reach for the first guy.”
• Debate on sophomore talent:
  Heath Cummings (19:37): “Loveland and Fanon have a little more upside than Warren does… That has nothing to do with their circumstances. I just think those two are a little better players.” Adam Azer (20:38): “I have no qualms at all with his [Warren’s] talent. He is a monster out there.”
• Laporta’s outlook:
  Dave Richard (17:16): “If [Laporta]... is over this back issue, it’ll be a lot easier to take Laporta over Kincaid and potentially Pitts.”
• Pitts skepticism:
  Adam Azer (29:38): “I think it’s kind of hilarious that we have Kyle Pitts in our top 10, when so much of his production was... games without Drake London.”

Timestamps: Key Segments

• [03:02] — Chargers hiring Mike McDaniel (OC) discussion
• [08:46] — Kickoff: Top 12 TE conversation begins
• [09:28] — Dave sells Fanon over Loveland
• [13:02] — McBride vs Bowers: Where do you draw the line?
• [14:01] — McBride’s epic splits with different QBs
• [15:43] — Fuller breakdown: Ranks 4–6 revealed
• [18:18] — Tyler Warren’s upside and team situation
• [19:37] — Heath: Loveland & Fanon have more upside than Warren
• [21:12] — How/when to draft sophomore TEs
• [27:00] — Kincaid’s efficiency/snap share debate
• [29:38] — The Kyle Pitts paradox
• [36:54] — Rapid fire: Final spots 10–12, sleeper names and quick hits
• [39:05] — Gadsden, Likely, Ferguson, Juwan Johnson deep dive
• [43:04] — Ferguson’s production vs. Pitts
• [44:33] — Dynasty trade breakdown: Malik Nabers deal debate

Trade & Fantasy Dynasty Segment

• Adam breaks down a major dynasty trade, seeking feedback:
  • Traded Malik Nabers for Michael Wilson and picks 11 & 12, plus a second and a third.
  • Heath Cummings (45:27): “Feels kind of like you turned a hundred dollar bill into two quarters. And a nickel and a dime.”
  • Adam Aizer (45:33): “Oh come on. You could at least... two twenties, a ten, and a five…”

Overall Takeaways

• Top 2 tight ends are clear: McBride (1), Bowers (2)
• After that, major tier: Loveland, Fanon, Warren—drafting order will hinge on offseason news and ADP.
• **Coaching, health, and quarterback volatility likely to shake up rankings between now and draft day—especially concerning Laporta, Pitts, Kincaid, and Gadsden.
• Draft strategy advice: Let the first 2–3 TEs go, then pounce on whoever falls among the talented sophomore group rather than reach.
• **Tier drop-off is steep after top 6–7, so savvy drafters may want to target upside/situation plays in late rounds as stashes.

For Listeners

Missed the episode? This summary covers the rankings, hot takes, rookie/sophomore debates, and much of the FFT crew’s classic banter. Whether you’re prepping for redraft or dynasty, you’ll be up to speed on early TE tiers, key targets, sleepers, and how to play the position in 2026.

Podcast Tone:
Insightful, conversational, with playful debate and expert-driven strategy. Modest doses of sarcasm, self-deprecation, and league management war stories.