Fantasy Football Week 12 Tight End Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season is underway which means we are in the thick of fantasy football season! The fantasy landscape has already changed since the preseason due to breakout players and major injuries across the league. Bye weeks have been taking place. This means that tight ends like Oronde Gadsen II  and Zach Ertz will be out this week. It would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similarly. Here are fantasy football Week 12 tight end rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting TE1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a solid floor.

Touchdown Dependent Starter- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top 10 performance or a top 25 performance

Deep League Starter- a player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started it is because their production though it will likely be low, will be better than a few options.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Fantasy Football Week 12 Tight End Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

TE21 David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

David Njoku missed practice on Wednesday because of a knee injury. It is unclear if he will miss time because of the injury. If Njoku misses Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders Harold Fannin Jr. will have a cemented role in the offense as the team’s primary pass-catching tight end.

TE22 Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brenton Strange has missed the last five games with a hip injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday because of the injury. If Strange misses Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals Johnny Mundt becomes TE32 between Gunnar Helm and Pat Freiermuth.

TE23 Brock Wright, Detroit Lions

Brock Wright was limited in practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss any time. If Wright misses Week 12 against the New York Giants Ross Dwelley becomes TE28 between Dawson Knox and Jonnu Smith.

TE24 Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

Chigoziem Okonkwo was limited in practice on Wednesday with a foot injury. He has been dealing with this injury for a few weeks. If Okonkwo misses Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks Gunnar Helm moves up to TE25 between Ja’Tavion Sanders and Michael Mayer.

TE30 Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens

Isaiah Likely missed practice on Wednesday because of a calf injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss time. If Likely misses Week 12 against the New York Jets Charlie Kolar becomes TE33 below Pat Freiermuth.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions

Sam LaPorta was placed on Injured Reserve last week because of a back injury This will cause LaPorta to miss at least the next three weeks. Fantasy managers who have LaPorta on their team will have to search for a new starting tight end for the last couple of games before playoffs (in traditional leagues). In deeper leagues Brock Wright becomes an interesting option at tight end, but he isn’t someone managers should be rushing to grab off the waiver wire while LaPorta is out.

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