NFL
5 Greatest NFL Tight Ends Ever + Fan Rankings
Create your own all-time rankings of the top 5 greatest Tight Ends in NFL history from Tony Gonzalez to Rob Gronkowski to Jason Witten
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Los Angeles Chargers TE Antonio Gates broke Tony Gonzalez’s NFL record for the most career REC TD by a Tight End on September 17, 2017 exactly five years ago, so it’s a great time to look at the top-5 greatest Tight Ends of all time with him cracking the list.
The Tight End position has evolved quite a bit over the decades, from primary blocking TEs, to short-yardage kings, to elite pass-catching weapons that act effectively as Wide Receivers. Many of the greatest offenses over the years and especially recently have had superstar Tight Ends as a primary playmaker that their Quarterback feels secure throwing to in huge situations.
Tight Ends are also often tasked with a heavy blocking load throughout a game, where they are expected to open holes like Offensive Linemen. Additionally, they are asked to chip Defensive Ends as they rush the passer, making them key cogs to any offense’s passing attack. Tight Ends are typically some of the toughest players on every team as it requires extreme physicality to handle all the responsibilities.
Over the generations, the position has traded its heavy emphasis on blocking and short routes for much more downfield action, as more and more NFL teams have prioritized playmaking over physicality. Talented Tight Ends can bring any offense such a massive advantage because of the matchup nightmare they pose to defenses, as Defensive Backs are typically too small to handle them, but Linebackers lack the speed necessary to keep up.
This list includes Tight Ends who have all been consistently great over their careers, each with their own way of playing the position. From the reliable third-down threats to the elite red-zone targets to the physically dominant players, all of them were valuable members of special offenses over their Hall of Fame caliber careers. Honorable mention includes: Shannon Sharpe, Kellen Winslow, Ozzie Newsome, Mike Ditka, Dave Casper.
Here are the top 5 greatest NFL Tight Ends of all time. Create your own rankings below!
– 14x Pro Bowl | 6x All-Pro 1st Team, 4x 2nd Team
– 2000s NFL All-Decade team | 2000 NFL REC (102) leader
– Most career REC YDS (15,127) & REC (1,325) by a TE
Drafted 13th overall in 1997, Tony Gonzalez quickly became a star as he utilized his sticky hands, crisp route-running, and clutch factor to become one of the greatest ever at his position as he dominated the NFL for over a decade.
Tony Gonzalez's NFL TE records:
– Career REC YDS (15,127), REC (1,325), & GS (254)
– Seasons of 500/600/700/800/900+ REC YDS
– Seasons of 5/6/7/8/9/10+ REC TD
– GP of 50/60/70/80/110/120+ REC YDS
– GP of 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10+ REC
– Consecutive seasons (16) of 500+ & 600+ REC YDS https://t.co/7ctQejLzxE— Best of Pro Sports (@pro_sports_best) July 28, 2022
– 5x Pro Bowl | 4x All-Pro 1st Team | 4x Super Bowl Champ
– 2010s NFL REC TD (79) leader | 100th Anniversary Team
– 2010s All-Decade | Patriots career REC TD (79) leader
As one of the most physically gifted players in NFL history, Rob Gronkowski‘s raw athletic talent combined with his brute strength and power allowed him to run defenders over unlike any other NFL player. Gronk’s prowess was an irreplaceable part of New England’s 2010s dynasty.
Gronk's NFL TE records:
– REC TD/GP (0.65)
– Season REC TD (17)
– Seasons (5) of 10+ REC TD
– Playoff REC YDS (1,389) & REC TD (15)
– GP of 100+ REC YDS (32) or 2+ REC TD (24)
– Led NFL in season REC TD (2011)
– Career (90) & Playoff TD (14) by QB/TE combopic.twitter.com/qkHQZ9vk2l— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 22, 2022
– 7x Pro Bowl | 3x All-Pro 1st Team, 3x 2nd Team
– 2010s NFL All-Decade | 2020 Super Bowl Champion
– Most season REC YDS (1,416) by a TE in NFL history
A massive part of a sustained run of excellence in Kansas City, Travis Kelce has been perhaps the most statistically prolific Tight End in NFL history, proving to be a high-quality pass-catcher whether it was Alex Smith or Patrick Mahomes under center.
Travis Kelce’s NFL TE records:
– Career REC YPG (70.9)
– Career 50+ REC TD & 2+ RUSH TD
– Season REC YDS (1,416)
– Seasons (6) of 1,000+ REC YDS
– Seasons (2) of 100+ REC
– Consecutive seasons (6) of 1,000+ REC YDS
– REC YDS in 1st 7/8/9 seasons
– REC (704) in 1st 9 seasons https://t.co/IPerl1l9QH— Best of Pro Sports (@pro_sports_best) July 26, 2022
– 8x Pro Bowl | 3x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– 2000s All-Decade Team | TE career REC TD (116) leader
– Chargers career REC YDS (11,841) & TD (116) leader
A model of consistency, Antonio Gates played his whole career with the Chargers, serving as Philip Rivers‘ security blanket for nearly 20 years. Gates’ reliability, toughness, and secure hands made him an NFL legend and Chargers fan favorite.
Antonio Gates' NFL TE records:
– Career REC TD (116)
– Seasons (11) of 7+ REC TD
– Career GP (21) of 2+ REC TD
– Consecutive seasons (7) of 700+ REC YDS & 8+ REC TD
– Consecutive GP (9) of 1+ REC TDpic.twitter.com/mg5mv0JFvM— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) July 21, 2022
– 11x Pro Bowl | 2x All-Pro 1st Team, 2x 2nd Team
– Most GP (271) by a TE | Fastest (125 GP) to 600 REC
– 2nd most REC YDS (13,046) & REC (1,152) by a TE
Despite lacking the speed and athleticism of many elite playmakers, Jason Witten proved to be one of the most reliable and clutch pass-catchers in NFL history, endearing himself to Cowboys fans everywhere after 16 years in Dallas.
Jason Witten's NFL TE records:
– Career (271) & Consecutive (235) GP
– REC (18) in 1 GP
– GP of 13/14/15+ REC
– Season GP (2) of 13+ REC
– Fastest (125 GP) to 600 REC
– 2nd most career REC YDS (13,046) & REC (1,152)pic.twitter.com/qK3BMvqMXM— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) September 9, 2022
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