Even on a struggling Arizona squad, Trey McBride stood out as one of the brightest talents in the entire NFL last season.
After establishing himself as the most productive tight end in the league, earning a near-unanimous All-Pro nod and making his second consecutive Pro Bowl, McBride has now been recognized as the best player at his position heading into 2026.
A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers conducted a preseason survey ranking the top five tight ends based on their current standing entering the upcoming season. McBride claimed the top spot, collecting five of the eight first-place votes. Points were awarded on a sliding scale — 10 for a first-place vote, followed by 5, 3, 2, and 1 for second through fifth place, respectively.
George Kittle finished in second place with three first-place votes, while Brock Bowers landed third. Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts filled out the fourth and fifth spots.
McBride’s rise has been rapid. After breaking out in 2024, he took his game to historic levels in 2025. He hauled in 126 receptions last season, surpassing Zach Ertz’s previous record for catches in a single season by a tight end. He also posted 1,239 receiving yards, scored 11 receiving touchdowns — tied for the most in the league — and paced all tight ends with 566 yards after the catch. In the panel voting, he also received one second-place vote and two third-place votes.
Kittle, despite missing time due to injury, remained one of the most dominant tight ends in football. In just 11 games, he recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 11.0 yards per catch. He had only two drops and added 259 yards after the catch. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro, Kittle is widely regarded as one of the greatest blocking tight ends in NFL history. He tore his Achilles during San Francisco’s playoff win over the Eagles but still appeared on seven of the eight ballots, earning two second-place votes alongside his three firsts.
Bowers, who dazzled in an All-Pro rookie campaign, dealt with injuries throughout last season. He finished with 64 catches for 680 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games, earning a second Pro Bowl berth. He added 296 yards after the catch and was charged with three drops. While he remains a dynamic pass-catcher, his blocking is still considered a developing part of his game. Bowers received three second-place votes and appeared on every ballot.
LaPorta was limited to nine games due to injuries but still contributed 40 catches for 489 yards and three touchdowns. He was not charged with a single drop and totaled 273 yards after the catch. Regarded as one of the most well-rounded tight ends in the NFL, LaPorta is considered a major asset in Detroit’s running game thanks to his elite blocking ability.
Pitts capped a long-awaited breakout with second-team All-Pro honors after posting career-best numbers — 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. Pitts was the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history when the Falcons selected him fourth overall in 2021, and while he showed promise as a rookie — making the Pro Bowl — he struggled to live up to expectations until his breakthrough performance last season.
