Fantasy Football Week 17 Tight End Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. It is championship week in most fantasy leagues. During the playoffs Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and need to make sure they have backup options on their roster incase their stars get hurt. There have plenty of injuries this season to crucial players that make the pool of players to choose from on waivers that much thinner. It’s always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the fantasy football week 17 tight end rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to 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 17 Tight End Rankings

Players that could miss this week’s game

TE2 George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

George Kittle is questionable for this week’s game with a mid-to-low ankle sprain. He missed practice throughout the week because of the injury. If Kittle misses Week 17 against the Chicago Bears Jake Tonges becomes TE12 between Colston Loveland and Michael Mayer.

TE3 Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts was limited in practice on Friday with a knee injury. He has been dealing with this injury for a few weeks. If Pitts misses Week 17 against the Los Angeles Rams Charlie Woerner becomes TE38 below Elijah Higgins.

TE4 Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Harold Fannin Jr. is questionable for this week’s game with a groin injury. The injury was suffered in practice on Friday. If Fannin Jr. misses Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers Blake Whiteheart will start at tight end for the Cleveland Browns.

Buffalo Bills Tight Ends: TE20 Dalton Kincaid & TE30 Dawson Knox

Dalton Kincaid was limited in practice on Friday with a knee injury. Dawson Knox is considered questionable for this week’s game with a knee injury. If both Kincaid and Knox miss Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles Jackson Hawes will start at tight end for the Buffalo Bills.

If Kincaid misses Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles Knox moves up to TE21 between Mark Andrews and Theo Johnson.

If Knox misses Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles Jackson Hawes will be the backup tight end for the Buffalo Bills this week.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders put Brock Bowers on Injured Reserve with a knee injury which ends his 2025-26 season. Las Vegas is  waiving the white flag on the season putting star players like Bowers and Maxx Crosby on Injured Reserve with two games left. Michael Mayer will start at tight end for the Raiders for the remainder of the season. He will be a possible starting option at tight end for fantasy managers down the stretch of the fantasy season. Bowers will be a top-3 tight end in fantasy drafts next season. This is an interesting stretch for Mayer who can prove to either be a long-term piece or this offense or a possible trade chip this offseason for a Raiders team looking to rebuild again.

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

T.J. Hockenson was ruled out of this week’s game against the Detroit Lions with a shoulder injury. There is a chance he does not return this season. While Hockenson is out Josh Oliver will start at tight end for the Vikings. Oliver has been on fantasy radars in the past, but this offense cannot support multiple fantasy starters at this point. This could also be the final time Hockenson suits up for the Minnesota Vikings. They may release him this offseason to give themselves more cap space. Hockenson will be a top-12 tight end in fantasy drafts next season regardless of where he plays next year.

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