Ranking the 10 best NFL Tight Ends since 2000

Having a great tight end on an NFL team is like using a queen on a chess board. They can be valuable in so many different aspects of the game, and your opponent will never know where they’ll line up. As the NFL has become more pass heavy in this century, we’ll rank the best tight ends to suit up since the 2000 season. All statistics are from Football Reference.

When people bring up the New England Patriots’ “other” tight end, most fans think of Aaron Hernandez, but Ben Watson was a much more consistent presence during the early days of the dynasty. He didn’t put up astronomical numbers, but was a solid player for seven years with the franchise. Watson was also a weapon for four seasons with the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees.

Ertz was an institution with the Philadelphia Eagles, winning a Super Bowl with them in 2017 and making the Pro Bowl three times. He’s slowed down a bit in recent years with the Arizona Cardinals, but may latch on with contending teams in order to add to his ring collection and plethora of big moments.

Regardless of whether fans considered him as a traditional tight end or a big wide receiver, Graham was one of the most athletic players in the NFL early in his career. He would make leaping catches over lighter defensive backs, and run past slower linebackers who thought they could play him physically at the line of scrimmage.

It feels like Kittle has been in the NFL longer than he actually has. The 49ers selected him in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he’s been front and center in their success ever since. Kittle is one of the most well-rounded players in the league, as he mauls defenders in the run game and is tough to bring down as a receiver.

NFL fans are used to seeing Olsen as a color analyst on FOX Sports lead broadcast team each week, but he was an impactful tight end for 14 seasons. He has over 8,600 yards to his name, and is a three-time Pro Bowler. He spent the prime of his career with the Carolina Panthers, but was a factor as a young player with the Chicago Bears as well.

Not many would believe that Witten is second all-time in career receiving yards for a tight end. He didn’t profile as a player who would beat defenses for long gains, but his ability to work the seams and find open areas allowed him to accumulate these cumulative numbers. He was a favorite target of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Shannon Sharpe was a physical specimen in his own right, but Gonzalez is the player credited with being the prototype for the modern day tight end. He could run any route at any time, and was as frustrating a matchup for defenders as anyone during his heyday. Gonzalez is the all time leader in receiving yards for a tight end, with 15,127.

Boxing out is a skill prioritized in basketball, but Gates utilized it to perfection at the goal line in the NFL. His 116 career touchdown passes is the most in NFL history for a tight end. Gates had a knack for getting the defender on his back, and made it easy for his quarterback’s to throw the ball where only he could get it.

Kelce’s popularity has catapulted to new heights thanks to his love life, but his supreme skill on the football field is still what butters his bread. His talent is perhaps more appreciated now than it ever has been, as the Kansas City Chiefs piece complementary receivers around the superstar tight end. He’s won two Super Bowls and been an All-Pro four times.

Even though his longevity won’t compare to some other names on the list, Gronkowski’s impact during his 11 year NFL career cannot be overstated. He came right into the NFL in 2010 as a force, and continued his dominance throughout the decade. The fact that Gronkowski was just as formidable as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer after missing the 2019 season shows how great he was.