The tight end position continues to change from year to year as players that play the position become bigger, stronger, and faster. With the passing game evolving, tight ends have seen their role transcend from the prototypical blocking style to becoming a prime receiving option for quarterbacks across the National Football League. As you look at the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2021-2022 rankings list, each tight end is a playmaker in themselves. 

This includes the top tier group of tight ends that include the Baltimore Ravens All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews as well as the likes of Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs and Greg Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.

In addition to those stars the group includes the likes of Darren Waller of the Los Angeles Raiders and rookie tight end Kyle Pitts.

With that said, here is our list of the Top 10 Tight Ends 2022 Rankings list

Honorable Mention

T.J. Hockenson

Team(s): Detroit Lions

2021 Stats: 61 REC, 583 YDS, 4 TD, 9.6 AVG 

When you look at the Detroit Lions tight end, he was as good as any tight end around the league prior to going down with a hand injury that limited him to just 12 NFL games.

Over those 12 games, Hockenson pulled in 61 total catches for 583 yards to go along with four touchdown receptions.

The former Iowa Hawkeyes star ranked near the top of the tight end group in contested catch rate as well as ranking among the lowest drops of all tight ends. 

Dawson Knox

Team(s): Buffalo Bills

2021 Stats: 49 REC, 587 YDS, 9 TD, 12.0 AVG

The Buffalo Bills are loaded on both sides of the ball including on the offensive side that includes the likes of Stefon Diggs at wide receiver and quality pass catching tight end Dawson Knox.

Knox, who was drafted by the Bills in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft took a big step forward in year three pulling in a career high 49 catches to go along with 587 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

At the end of the 2021-22 NFL season, Knox ranked tied for 9th among all touchdown receptions (9) and tied with Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and Hunter Henry for the lead among all tight ends.

Top 10 NFL Tight Ends

10. Hunter Henry

Team(s): New England Patriots

2021 Stats: 50 REC, 603 YDS, 9 TD, 12.1 AVG

Hunter Henry slowly emerged as a favorite weapon for Mac Jones within the New England Patriots offense during the 2021 NFL schedule.

Henry lands at number ten on the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2021-22 rankings list after putting together a solid season together in his first with the Patriots.

Henry, who spent the previous four seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Chargers finished the year with 50 catches to go along with 603 receiving yards and nine total touchdown receptions.

9. Zach Ertz

Team(s): Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles

2021 Stats: 74 REC, 763 YDS, 5 TD, 10.3 AVG

The former Stanford Cardinals tight end continues to be one of the top tier tight ends in the NFL year in and year out.

After splitting time with fellow top tier tight end Dallas Goedert early in the season with the Philadelphia Eagles, Zach Ertz found himself a new home with the Arizona Cardinals.

Down the stretch, Ertz pulled in 56 catches for 574 yards to go with three touchdowns in just 11 games for the Cardinals. On the year, Ertz pulled in 74 total catches for 763 yards to go with five touchdown receptions.

8. Mike Gesicki

Team(s): Miami Dolphins

2021 Stats: 73 REC, 780 YDS, 2 TD, 10.7 AVG

As the Miami Dolphins slowly rise to the top of the AFC East, the team’s passing attack took a big step forward in 2021 while Mike Gesicki slowly showcased his ability to be a premier tight end in the NFL.

The former Penn State Nittany Lions tight end, set career highs for catches (73), targets (112) and receiving yards (780). Only thing limiting a rise on the tight end rankings list is the lack of touchdown receptions last season.

The Dolphins tight end has had at least 50 catches in each of the previous three seasons within an offense that has struggled to move the ball at times.

7. Dalton Schultz

Team(s): Dallas Cowboys

2021 Stats: 78 REC, 808 YDS, 8 TD, 10.4 AVG

One of the key receiving threats within the Dallas Cowboys offense, Dalton Schultz has emerged as one of the top 10 NFL Tight Ends in the NFL. Schultz pulled in 78 total catches for 808 receiving yards to go with eight total touchdown receptions.

The Cowboys tight end ranked 23rd in the NFL in receptions, 41st in receiving yards and tied for 16th in touchdowns. His ability to make plays showed up in the postseason as Schultz pulled in seven catches for 89 yards in the team’s 23-17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

With Amari Cooper gone, the Cowboys will look to continue to lean on Schultz in 2022 with the opportunity for him to move up the tight end leaderboard.

6. Dallas Goedert

Team(s): Philadelphia Eagles

2021 Stats: 56 REC, 830 YDS, 4 TD, 14.8 AVG

It is difficult to put on paper or show on film how good Dallas Goedert is and how much of an impact he has on the Philadelphia Eagles offense.

Goedert, who is one of the top run blocking tight ends in the NFL, has consistently ranked as a top blocking tight end since 2018 according to PFF.

While the team also had Zach Ertz for the beginning of Goedert’s career, the former South Dakota State tight end slowly took over as the teams starting tight end in 2021.

Goedert would go on to finish with 56 catches for a career high 830 yards to go along with four total touchdowns. An increase in touchdowns in 2022, could have the Eagles tight end sitting higher on next year’s tight end rankings.

5. Kyle Pitts

Team(s): Atlanta Falcons

2021 Stats: 68 REC, 1,026 YDS, 1 TD, 15.1 AVG

Coming in at number five on the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2021-22 rankings list is the only rookie to land on the list and one of the brightest stars from the 2021 NFL Draft class.

Pitts, who played his college ball for the Florida Gators, had all the hype built around him leading into the 2021-22 NFL season, after being selected number four overall by the Atlanta Falcons.

Pitts did not disappoint pulling in 68 catches to go along with 1,026 receiving yards and one touchdown. The only down point of the season was the lack of red zone targets and touchdowns Pitts saw with much of that due to the struggles of the Falcons team.

Pitts finished last season with 29 receptions of at least 15 yards while beating both linebackers as well as cornerbacks with his speed.

4. Darren Waller

Team(s): Las Vegas Raiders

2021 Stats: 55 REC, 665 YDS, 2 TD, 12.1 AVG

When you look around and wonder which NFL teams have the best tight ends, the Los Vegas Raiders land on that list.

If it wasn’t for an injury that limited him to just 11 regular NFL season games, Darren Waller might have been ranked near the top in every offensive category.

Waller has tremendous speed, size, and power at the tight end position while making him a difficult target to slow down by opposing defenses. Waller averaged 12.1 yards per reception last year on 55 total catches to go along with 665 yards and two total touchdowns.

Despite appearing in just 11 games, Waller finished the season with 93 total targets after receiving 117 targets in 2019 and 145 targets in 2020. 

3. George Kittle

Team(s): San Francisco 49ers

2021 Stats: 71 REC, 910 YDS, 6 TD, 12.8 AVG

When it comes to the top three of the top tight ends in the NFL, George Kittle is clearly in the running as one of the premier players among tight ends.

In fact, Kittle could be the answer to the question “who is the best tight end in the NFL” depending on which NFL analyst or expert you ask.

The San Francisco 49ers star tight end is a mismatch waiting to happen for opposing linebackers while also giving safeties and cornerbacks a run for their money.

Kittle, who appeared in just 14 games last season finished with 910 total yards to go along with six touchdown receptions. According to PFF rankings from the 2021-22 NFL season, Kittle ranked tied for second among all tight ends graded.

2. Travis Kelce

Team(s): Kansas City Chiefs

2021 Stats: 92 REC, 1,125 YDS, 9 TD, 12.2 AVG

It could have been easy to slot in Travis Kelce as the top tight end in the NFL as he continues to put up All-Pro numbers at the position.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end topped the 90 plus catch plateau for the fourth straight season while also surpassing 1,100 plus yards receiving in the four straight seasons.

Pro Bowl starter Kelce finished the season ranked 13th among all pass catchers in receptions with 92, 14th in total receiving yards with 1,125 and tied for first among all tight ends with nine touchdown receptions.

1. Mark Andrews

Team(s): Baltimore Ravens

2021 Stats: 107 REC, 1,361 YDS, 9 TD, 12.7 AVG

Landing at number one on the Top 10 NFL Tight End 2021-2022 rankings list is the Baltimore Ravens All-Pro tight end and Lamar Jackson’s favorite target Mark Andrews.

Andrews is as talented as any tight end in the NFL, while also ranking near the top among all blocking tight ends against both the pass as well as for the run.

The former Oklahoma Sooners tight end led all tight ends in plays over 15 yards with 33 on the year. In addition, Andrews finished the season with 107 receptions to go along with 1,361 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions.

While the debate over who is the best tight end in the NFL will continue in 2022, for now Mark Andrews lands at the top while others also make the case for that spot.

How would you rank these Tight Ends going into the 2022-2023 NFL season? Rank below to be added in the Power Rankings.

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