The 2026 NFL training camps are on the horizon, and with that in mind, ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions. This is the seventh edition of these annual rankings.
Here's how it works: Voters gave their own top 10 players at a position, then we compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen as well as ESPN Research. More than 70 voters submitted a ballot on at least one position, and in many cases all positions.
Additional voting and follow-up calls with those surveyed contributed to placements. This was not a five-year projection or a career achievement award, but meant to answer a simple question: Who are the best players right now?
Our rollout schedule: running backs (July 6), cornerbacks (July 7), edge rushers (July 8), defensive tackles (July 9), tight ends (July 10), offensive tackles (July 11), interior offensive linemen (July 12), quarterbacks (July 13), off-ball linebackers (July 14), wide receivers (July 15) and safeties (July 16). Tight ends are on the rise.
NFL teams have a tough time surviving on offense without at least one good one. Smart offensive coaches are getting two or three on the field at a time now -- with both running and passing in mind.
Several recent Day 1 or Day 2 draft picks are emerging as young stars, as our top 10 list reflects. The NFC North alone has three of them.
And we've seen back-to-back 100-catch seasons from the position, thanks to the wild production coming out of Las Vegas and Arizona. And this year's list features six players ages 25 or younger -- and a 36-year-old, for good measure.
Here are the top 10 tight ends as voted by league scouts, executives and coaches. 1.
Brock Bowers , Las Vegas Raiders Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking : 3 Age: 23 | Last year's ranking: 1 Bowers' second season was marred by injuries and a porous Raiders offense. For that, he mostly gets a pass in the voting.
But his second consecutive No. 1 ranking was more contested this time around, despite a respectable 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.
Last summer, Bowers fended off the field convincingly thanks to his setting an NFL rookie record with 112 catches. "As far as route running, separation, zone instincts, yards-after-catch ability combination -- he's better than the field in those areas," an NFL coordinator said.
"A down year won't change that." One sign of Bowers' greatness: Opponents sometimes put their best cornerback on him, as Denver did with Pat Surtain II last season. People inside the league love Bowers' versatility as an offensive chess piece.
He can line up in the slot, out wide or even as a fullback. He has breakaway speed, too, pushing a top speed of 19.58 mph on a 57-yard touchdown vs.
Denver in 2024, per NFL Next Gen Stats. 2.
Trey McBride , Arizona Cardinals Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 5 Age: 26 | Last year's ranking: 4 McBride made a serious case for No. 1, earning more than 30% of the first-place votes.
All but two of the votes were inside the top three for McBride, whose 126 catches in 2025 marked the most in a single season for a tight end in NFL history. McBride's 72.9 receiving yards per game were nearly 16 more than any other tight end.
His 566 yards after the catch were 90 more than any other player at his position. And his 11 receiving touchdowns tied for second leaguewide.
Long known as a receiving threat, McBride has improved his all-around game. "Ball skills, ball in hand, physical ability -- just an extremely impressive player across the board," an NFL coordinator said.
"And not bad in the run game." His 71.5 receiving expected points added was easily the best among tight ends and fourth among all pass catchers, per NFL Next Gen Stats. 3.
George Kittle , San Francisco 49ers Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 8 Age: 32 | Last year's ranking: 2 Injury, not age, is the thing holding Kittle back. He remained dominant at age 32, with 57.1 yards per game (second among tight ends), seven touchdowns and 2.39 yards per route run.
San Francisco posted a 138.4 passer rating when targeting Kittle, whose 82.6% catch rate was stellar. "Injuries and durability are becoming a concern, but when he's healthy, he's still the most versatile, dominant, complete tight end," an NFC executive said.
"He's still the gold standard for bloc