Greatest NFL Tight Ends of All-Time: Full Tier List (2025 Update)

Who’s the greatest tight end in NFL history? That debate has gotten a lot louder with Travis Kelce stacking rings and Rob Gronkowski redefining the position. This tier list breaks down the best tight ends of all time — from all-around monsters like Tony Gonzalez to vertical threats like Kellen Winslow. Based on a mix of peak performance, longevity, hardware, and raw talent, here’s where the legends stack up.

Table of Contents – Best Tight Ends Ever

• Tier 6
• Tier 5
• Tier 4
• Tier 3
• Tier 2
• Tier 1
• Best Tight Ends Ever – Full Tier List Image
• Best Tight Ends FAQ Section

Tier 6

Tier 6 – Solid careers and big-time flashes from these well-rounded tight ends.

Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota Vikings)

Career Stats / Accolades:
482 receptions • 4,773 yards • 50 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl

A red zone machine during his prime in Minnesota, Rudolph was never flashy — but he was reliable. His ability to box out defenders and make tough catches made him a go-to target inside the 20. Underrated blocker, above-average hands, and a long career as a steady TE1.

Todd Heap (Baltimore Ravens)

Career Stats / Accolades:
499 receptions • 5,869 yards • 42 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl

Heap was the only consistent weapon on some brutal early-2000s Ravens offenses. Despite shaky QB play, he still put up strong numbers and was fearless going over the middle. A true fan favorite in Baltimore, and one of the few bright spots on that side of the ball.

Delanie Walker (Tennessee Titans)

Career Stats / Accolades:
504 receptions • 5,888 yards • 36 TDs • 3× Pro Bowl

Walker didn’t get real opportunity until his 30s, but once he did, he became one of the league’s most productive tight ends. His versatility as both a receiver and blocker made him the centerpiece of Tennessee’s offense for several years. Total late-bloomer success story.

Steve Jordan (Minnesota Vikings)

Career Stats / Accolades:
498 receptions • 6,307 yards • 28 TDs • 6× Pro Bowl

One of the most consistent and athletic tight ends of the late ’80s and early ’90s, Jordan was a quiet killer in Minnesota. He flew under the radar in a run-first era but was incredibly productive and made six Pro Bowls without much media hype.

Jeremy Shockey (New York Giants / New Orleans Saints)

Career Stats / Accolades:
547 receptions • 6,143 yards • 37 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl • Super Bowl XLIV champion

Shockey was all attitude, but he backed it up. A bruising, loud-mouthed TE who was dangerous after the catch and played like a linebacker on offense. Injuries cut his peak short, but at his best, he was a matchup nightmare and helped both Eli and Brees win games.

Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens)

Career Stats / Accolades (through 2024):
381 receptions • 4,932 yards • 41 TDs • 3× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro

Still in his prime, Andrews already stacks up well all-time. He’s been Lamar Jackson’s top target for years, combining crisp route-running with the physicality to beat both linebackers and safeties. If he stays healthy, he could rise tiers quickly over the next few seasons.

Ben Watson (New England Patriots / New Orleans Saints)

Career Stats / Accolades:
547 receptions • 6,058 yards • 44 TDs • Super Bowl XXXIX champion

A true journeyman who carved out a long, productive career on multiple teams. Known for his intelligence, leadership, and effort (like his iconic chase-down tackle vs. Champ Bailey), Watson was dependable and underrated his entire career. A classic do-your-job tight end.

Jared Cook (Tennessee Titans / New Orleans Saints)

Career Stats / Accolades:
553 receptions • 7,237 yards • 45 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl

One of the most athletic tight ends of his era, Cook’s size-speed combo was elite — but his career was inconsistent. He flashed Pro Bowl-caliber play for stretches with multiple teams, and his deep threat ability at TE gave quarterbacks a unique mismatch weapon.

Tier 5

Tier 5 – Underrated legends and standout producers who made a lasting impact.

Jackie Smith (St. Louis Cardinals)

Career Stats / Accolades:
480 receptions • 7,918 yards • 40 TDs • Hall of Fame (1994) • 5× Pro Bowl • 3× All-Pro

One of the first true receiving tight ends, Jackie Smith was ahead of his time. His yards-per-catch (16.5!) is absurd for a tight end, even by today’s standards. Most fans remember his infamous Super Bowl drop with the Cowboys, but that’s a footnote in a Hall of Fame career that dominated the 1960s and early ’70s.

Jerry Smith (Washington Commanders)

Career Stats / Accolades:
421 receptions • 5,496 yards • 60 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro

If you’re talking underrated, Jerry Smith’s name better come up. He retired with the most TDs by a tight end in NFL history and held that record for nearly 25 years. Smooth route-runner, red zone weapon, and a huge part of the Washington offense in the 1960s and ’70s. Should get more Hall of Fame love.

Charlie Sanders (Detroit Lions)

Career Stats / Accolades:
336 receptions • 4,817 yards • 31 TDs • Hall of Fame (2007) • 7× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro

Sanders was one of the few bright spots on some bad Lions teams. Athletic, tough, and consistent — he played the position like a wide receiver but never shied away from contact. His induction into the Hall in 2007 helped correct a long-overdue snub.

Keith Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles / Miami Dolphins / Green Bay Packers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
441 receptions • 5,283 yards • 49 TDs • 3× All-Pro • 6× Pro Bowl • Super Bowl XXXI champion

Jackson had one of the best starts to a TE career ever — an All-Pro as a rookie and dominant in his prime. He was dynamic after the catch, ran great routes, and stayed productive on multiple teams. His prime was short but elite, and he left the game on top with a ring in Green Bay.

Riley Odoms (Denver Broncos)

Career Stats / Accolades:
396 receptions • 5,755 yards • 41 TDs • 4× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro

Odoms doesn’t get talked about nearly enough. A freakish athlete for his era, he was the rare tight end who could stretch the field vertically in the 1970s. He racked up numbers despite inconsistent QB play and was a matchup problem every week.

Mark Bavaro (New York Giants)

Career Stats / Accolades:
351 receptions • 4,733 yards • 39 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl • 2× Super Bowl champion

Tough as nails. Bavaro was the embodiment of 1980s smashmouth football. He punished defenders after the catch and could pancake you in the run game too. Known for dragging defenders on his back like luggage, Bavaro was a fan favorite and key piece in two Giants Super Bowl wins.

Todd Christensen (Los Angeles Raiders)

Career Stats / Accolades:
461 receptions • 5,872 yards • 41 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro • 2× Super Bowl champion

A converted fullback who exploded as a pass-catcher in the early ’80s, Christensen led the NFL in receptions twice — rare air for a tight end. His route running and hands were elite, and he thrived in Tom Flores’ system. Quietly one of the most productive peak stretches ever at TE.

Jay Novacek (Dallas Cowboys)

Career Stats / Accolades:
422 receptions • 4,630 yards • 30 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro • 3× Super Bowl champion

Novacek was the security blanket for Troy Aikman during the Cowboys dynasty. He wasn’t going to outrun anyone, but his timing, soft hands, and ability to find soft spots in coverage made him nearly automatic on third down. Three rings and five Pro Bowls speak to his impact.

Tier 4

Tier 4 – Productive and consistent playmakers from multiple NFL eras.

Vernon Davis (San Francisco 49ers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
583 receptions • 7,562 yards • 63 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl • Super Bowl champion

Davis was an athletic freak who could run like a wide receiver and block like a lineman when locked in. He had a few quiet years but exploded during San Francisco’s playoff runs, especially in the Harbaugh era. His 2011 and 2013 postseason performances were legendary.

Zach Ertz (Philadelphia Eagles / Arizona Cardinals)

Career Stats / Accolades:
709 receptions • 7,434 yards • 46 TDs • 3× Pro Bowl • Super Bowl LII champion

Ertz quietly became one of the most productive tight ends of the modern era. His route running and hands made him a go-to target in Philly, and his Super Bowl touchdown catch was one of the biggest moments in franchise history. Not flashy — just consistently excellent.

Heath Miller (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
592 receptions • 6,569 yards • 45 TDs • 2× Pro Bowl • 2× Super Bowl champion

A Steelers legend and Big Ben’s trusted safety valve, Miller was never elite statistically, but his reliability in big moments and versatility made him a coach’s dream. He could do it all — block, catch, lead — and his two rings cement his legacy in Pittsburgh.

Dave Casper (Oakland Raiders)

Career Stats / Accolades:
378 receptions • 5,216 yards • 52 TDs • Hall of Fame (2002) • 5× Pro Bowl • 4× All-Pro • Super Bowl XI champion

“The Ghost” was dominant in the 1970s and one of the first tight ends to truly terrorize defenses as a vertical threat. Known for his iconic “Ghost to the Post” play, Casper was a huge part of the Raiders’ success and left a lasting imprint on the position.

Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints / multiple teams)

Career Stats / Accolades:
719 receptions • 8,545 yards • 85 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro

At his peak, Graham was basically a 6’7” wide receiver who happened to play tight end. His connection with Drew Brees produced jaw-dropping red zone numbers, and his 2013 season (1,215 yards, 16 TDs) remains one of the most dominant ever for a TE. His fall-off was sharp, but the peak was elite.

Ben Coates (New England Patriots)

Career Stats / Accolades:
499 receptions • 5,555 yards • 50 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro • Super Bowl champion

Before Gronk, there was Ben Coates. He was the Patriots’ top weapon in the ’90s and had a nasty streak in the run game to go with it. In 1994, he posted 96 catches — unheard of at the time for a tight end — and helped pave the way for the new era of TE dominance.

Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts)

Career Stats / Accolades:
505 receptions • 5,665 yards • 53 TDs • 1× Pro Bowl • Super Bowl XLI champion

Clark thrived in Peyton Manning’s high-octane Colts offense. He wasn’t the biggest or fastest, but his football IQ and chemistry with Manning made him a nightmare for linebackers. His 2009 season (100 catches, 1,106 yards) put him in rare company.

Tier 3

Tier 3 – Hall of Fame pioneers meet modern stars in this group of standout tight ends.

John Mackey (Baltimore Colts)

Career Stats / Accolades:
331 receptions • 5,236 yards • 38 TDs • Hall of Fame (1992) • 5× Pro Bowl • 3× All-Pro • Super Bowl V champion

Mackey wasn’t just a great tight end — he helped redefine the position. A true trailblazer, Mackey had breakaway speed and could turn short passes into 50-yard gains. His influence goes beyond the field too, as a key figure in NFLPA history. One of the original unicorns at TE.

Mike Ditka (Chicago Bears)

Career Stats / Accolades:
427 receptions • 5,812 yards • 43 TDs • Hall of Fame (1988) • 5× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro • NFL Champion (1963)

Before he was “Da Coach,” Ditka was a revolutionary tight end. His rookie season in 1961 (1,076 yards, 12 TDs) shattered the mold for what tight ends could do. A rugged blocker and aggressive playmaker, he set the tone for decades to come — and looked like he hated every defender he ever faced.

Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns)

Career Stats / Accolades:
662 receptions • 7,980 yards • 47 TDs • Hall of Fame (1999) • 3× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro

Ozzie had some of the best hands of his era and was basically Cleveland’s WR1 during much of his career. He had eight seasons with 600+ yards and never dropped off. Smooth, smart, and dependable, Newsome later became just as legendary as an executive. The man builds dynasties.

Greg Olsen (Carolina Panthers / Chicago Bears)

Career Stats / Accolades:
742 receptions • 8,683 yards • 60 TDs • 3× Pro Bowl

Olsen’s prime years in Carolina were sneaky dominant — from 2014 to 2016, he posted three straight 1,000-yard seasons, something only a handful of TEs have ever done. He was a technician as a route runner, and his toughness made him a leader in the Panthers’ Super Bowl run.

George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers)

Career Stats / Accolades: (as of 2024)
460 receptions • 6,274 yards • 37 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 1× All-Pro

Kittle is the modern-era gladiator — ferocious blocker, highlight-reel YAC monster, and beloved teammate. Injuries have slowed his counting stats, but when healthy, no tight end impacts the run and pass game like him. His 1,377-yard season in 2018 remains one of the best ever.

Tier 2

Tier 2 – Legends like Shannon Sharpe and Antonio Gates defined a generation of dominant tight ends.

Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos / Baltimore Ravens)

Career Stats / Accolades:
815 receptions • 10,060 yards • 62 TDs • Hall of Fame (2011) • 8× Pro Bowl • 4× All-Pro • 3× Super Bowl champion

Sharpe brought swagger and dominance to the tight end position in the ’90s. He was a true mismatch — too fast for linebackers, too physical for DBs. When the Broncos needed a clutch play, he delivered. And when he got to Baltimore? He kept winning. He’s also the best trash-talker in tight end history, bar none.

Antonio Gates (San Diego Chargers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
955 receptions • 11,841 yards • 116 TDs • 8× Pro Bowl • 3× All-Pro

No college football experience. Undrafted. And he became the all-time touchdown leader at tight end? Gates is a freak story — and a freak athlete. He made the post-up route famous and built nearly two decades of chemistry with Philip Rivers. You couldn’t guard him in the red zone with a forklift.

Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys / Las Vegas Raiders)

Career Stats / Accolades:
1,228 receptions • 13,046 yards • 74 TDs • 11× Pro Bowl • 2× All-Pro

Quietly, Witten may have the most complete résumé of anyone not in Tier 1. He ranks top 5 in nearly every TE category, played 271 games, and was basically an offensive coordinator on the field. A true technician who did it with consistency, toughness, and zero flash — unless you count that helmetless catch.

Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
541 receptions • 6,741 yards • 45 TDs • Hall of Fame (1995) • 5× Pro Bowl • 3× All-Pro

Winslow was doing 2020s tight end things back in the early ’80s. In Don Coryell’s “Air Coryell” offense, he lined up everywhere — and roasted defenders from every angle. His 13-catch, 166-yard playoff game in 1982 is one of the most iconic TE performances ever. Before Kelce or Gronk, there was Kellen.

Tier 1

Tier 1 – Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, and Tony Gonzalez headline the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs)

Career Stats / Accolades (as of 2024):
907 receptions • 11,328 yards • 74 TDs • 9× Pro Bowl • 4× All-Pro • 3× Super Bowl Champion • Most 1,000-yard seasons by a TE (7)

Nobody has blended dominance and longevity like Kelce. He’s already the best postseason tight end ever, and his run of seven straight 1,000-yard seasons is something we’ve never seen before at the position. Route-running, YAC, chemistry with Mahomes — he’s the ultimate modern tight end.

Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots / Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Career Stats / Accolades:
621 receptions • 9,286 yards • 92 TDs • 5× Pro Bowl • 4× All-Pro • 4× Super Bowl Champion • NFL 2010s All-Decade Team

At his peak, Gronk was the most unstoppable force in football. Defensive coordinators lost sleep over him. He blocked like an offensive tackle and bullied DBs like a power forward in the paint. Injuries cut his prime short, but no tight end was more dominant in big moments — especially in January and February.

Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs / Atlanta Falcons)

Career Stats / Accolades:
1,325 receptions • 15,127 yards • 111 TDs • Hall of Fame (2019) • 14× Pro Bowl • 6× All-Pro • 2nd all-time in career receptions

Gonzalez walked so everyone else could fly. He was the blueprint: a basketball player-turned-tight end who redefined the position in the 2000s. He was the model of consistency, playing 17 seasons and missing just two games. No one has caught more passes at tight end — and likely never will.

Best Tight Ends Ever – Full Tier List Image

Full tier list ranking the greatest tight ends in NFL history, featuring Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and more.

Best Tight Ends FAQ Section

Who is the greatest tight end in NFL history?

Most fans and analysts agree it’s a three-man debate between Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, and Tony Gonzalez. Kelce owns the playoff record book, Gronk was the most dominant red-zone threat ever, and Gonzalez leads all tight ends in career receptions and yards.

Which tight end has the most career receiving yards?

Tony Gonzalez holds the record with 15,127 career receiving yards, ranking 3rd all-time among all pass catchers — not just tight ends.

How many 1,000-yard seasons does Travis Kelce have?

As of the end of the 2024 season, Travis Kelce has 7 1,000-yard seasons — the most in NFL history for a tight end.

Who is the best blocking tight end of all time?

Rob Gronkowski is often considered the gold standard as a two-way tight end. Mark Bavaro, Dave Casper, and George Kittle also get high praise for their blocking ability.

Which active tight ends could crack the all-time top 10?

George Kittle and Mark Andrews are the best bets. Kittle already ranks among the most complete tight ends in NFL history.

Who has the most touchdowns by a tight end?

Antonio Gates leads all tight ends with 116 career touchdown receptions, all with the Chargers.

Final Thoughts on the Greatest Tight Ends Ever

From all-time legends like Tony Gonzalez and Shannon Sharpe to modern-day forces like Travis Kelce and George Kittle, the tight end position has evolved into one of the most versatile and impactful roles in football. This tier list celebrates the full spectrum — blockers, playmakers, red-zone nightmares, and everything in between.

Whether you’re debating Gronk vs. Kelce or rediscovering names like Riley Odoms and Dave Casper, every player on this list helped redefine what it means to be a tight end.

And remember — this isn’t just a list of stats. It’s about impact, dominance, and legacy.

Want more? Check out our full rankings across every position in NFL history, and let us know — who did we snub?

More Greatest NFL Player Rankings

Offense

• Greatest NFL Quarterbacks of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Running Backs of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Wide Receivers of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Tight Ends of All-Time

Defense

• Greatest NFL Cornerbacks of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Safeties of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Linebackers of All-Time
• Greatest NFL Defensive Linemen of All-Time
• Best Pass Rushers in NFL History

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