Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch through the second half towards the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Subject. Necessary Credit score: Kevin Ng-Imagn Photos
The newest in our NFC North positional rankings sees us check out the tight finish place. That is one other place group within the division that’s loaded with expertise, making it tough to separate the 4 groups.
NFC North TE Rankings for 2026
For the TE group, the principle focus is on the highest two gamers on every group’s depth chart, with different choices considered. I had the Vikings in first place in final season’s rating, however they don’t fare so nicely this time round. Listed below are my NFC North TE rankings for 2026.
1. Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet
Chicago has invested closely within the draft on the TE place in recent times, spending a first-round choose on Colston Loveland, a second-round choose on Cole Kmet, and going once more this yr, spending a third-round choose on Sam Roush. It has given the Bears not simply the top-end high quality but in addition robust depth.
Loveland instantly turned the group’s TE1, going over 700 receiving yards and scoring six touchdowns in his rookie season. With a head coach who has confirmed he likes to provide his TEs a heavy workload, Loveland must be seeking to go even larger in Yr 2.
2. Detroit Lions – Sam LaPorta and Tyler Conklin
Sam LaPorta’s 2025 season ended after Week 10 on account of a herniated disc in his again. It led to profession lows in his numbers throughout the board, however 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns from 9 video games confirmed his manufacturing didn’t endure from the exit of Ben Johnson because the Lions’ playcaller. Tyler Conklin was signed on free company, maybe as insurance coverage if LaPorta takes time to get again up to the mark, or as a substitute for Brock Wright, whose title has been talked about with a potential exit.
Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish Tyler Conklin (83) and the Minnesota Vikings are launched as they put together to play the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Conklin is well-known to Vikings followers, a fifth-round choose by Minnesota again in 2018. Conklin has gone on to have a stable profession. How good the Lions are at this place and as a group may hinge on if/when LaPorta will get again to his greatest. Detroit’s kind nostril dived after LaPorta acquired injured final season, profitable solely three of the final eight video games and ending final within the division.
3. Inexperienced Bay Packers – Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave
Tucker Kraft was constructing on his good season in 2024 and seeking to go even higher in 2025 when an ACL tear minimize his season quick. Kraft had racked up 489 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns from simply eight video games. The Packers shall be hoping he can return to that kind in 2026.
Luke Musgrave was taken a spherical earlier (second spherical) than Kraft within the 2023 draft, however hasn’t managed to have the identical impression. Musgrave couldn’t make the most of Kraft’s harm both and isn’t sure to remain above Josh Whyle on the depth chart. What must be an space of power on the Packers’ groups has query marks hanging over it coming into the brand new season.
4. Minnesota Vikings – T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver
It regarded for a second that T.J. Hockenson was heading out of Minnesota, however a reworked deal that makes him a free agent on the finish of the season noticed him keep. Hockenson was set for a 1,000 receiving yards season in 2023 earlier than a knee harm ended his season a few video games earlier. He hasn’t been capable of finding that kind since, though that might have been tough for anyone within the Vikings stuttering offense of 2025.
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings tight finish Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Cleveland Browns through the first quarter of an NFL Worldwide Collection sport at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Photos
Hockenson turns 29 in July and may have some good years left in him. With a contract to play for, he shall be keen to indicate he can nonetheless be one of many prime receiving TEs within the league.
Josh Oliver is among the greatest blocking TEs within the league and has proven he’s nicely able to making a play when referred to as upon. Nevertheless, he’s not essentially the most dynamic, and never a man you’d wish to step into a task as a focus receiver of Hockenson can’t play. I assumed the Vikings would look to draft a possible Hockenson substitute within the draft, however that by no means materialized.
Proud UK Viking. Household Man. Get pleasure from writing about my group. Away from soccer an advocate for autism acceptance.
