AFC North tight ends aren’t exactly face-of-the-franchise players such as Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, but they are good enough to make consistent plays and help their team win games. Given the division’s tough nature, every tight end needs to be proficient in run blocking, pass blocking and pass catching to be successful.
With training camp just a few weeks away, it’s time to break down the best AFC North tight ends ahead of the 2026 season.
Ranking Best AFC North Tight Ends for 2026
These rankings are based solely on the idea of who is the most talented right now. It doesn’t look at upside, and who could potentially have a breakout season. It’s simply a matter of which player currently gives their team the best chance to win.
5. Mike Gesicki
Mike Gesicki is a journeyman veteran who will do everything you ask of him, but he won’t do it exceptionally well. However, the need for a top-of-the-line tight end isn’t exactly pressing when you have two superstar receivers in Ja’Marr Chase, who has high expectations this season, and Tee Higgins. The Cincinnati Bengals know they will get a splash play some Gesicki every now and then, but most of where he excels relates to the blocking aspect of the position.
The 30-year-old tight end caught just 28 passes last season for the Bengals with 307 yards and two touchdowns. That was in a season where Joe Burrow missed most of the action, and Joe Flacco took most of the snaps. Flacco isn’t the average backup quarterback, but he has always used them frequently. Given how Gesicki could easily be replaced by anyone behind him and not much would change, it’s hard to place him anywhere but No. 5 on the list.
4. Darnell Washington
You could make the argument that Darnell Washington deserves to be higher on the list simply due to his stature. However, Washington isn’t even the starter in his own tight end room. In a new offense under head coach Mike McCarthy, Washington looks to feature more for the Pittsburgh Steelers than he has in his previous three seasons. The opportunity is there for him, though, to excel after signing his new contract in the offseason.
Washington caught 31 passes for 364 yards and one touchdown last season for the Steelers, but the goal is to get him more redzone work this season. If he can take a step forward in the pass-catching game, the argument to have him higher on the list certainly exists. At 6’7 and 264 pounds, very few outside linebackers are going to challenge his blocking abilities throughout his NFL career, but he’s still not one of the top three AFC North tight ends just yet.
3. Pat Freiermuth
Pat Freiermuth’s numbers were not as good last season as they were in the past, catching just 41 passes for the Steelers. However, he will also benefit from a new offensive scheme that gets the tight ends involved frequently. Freiermuth has two seasons in his career with seven touchdowns, so he still has plenty of upside for Pittsburgh to rely on him.
The former Penn State Nittany Lion isn’t among the top two AFC North tight ends, but he will find a way to get it done for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers offense. With some pressure from Washington behind him, Freiermuth will need to have a big year.
2. Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews previously held the top spot among AFC North tight ends, as he has been the most consistent member of the position. Last season saw a decline in production, and it’s hard to see him turn it around this season when he will turn 31 years old.
He caught 48 passes for 422 yards last season, and while he could certainly post better numbers without Isaiah Likely stealing targets, he has fallen from the top of the totem pole among tight ends in the division. Lamar Jackson will have to rely on Zay Flowers and his wide receivers more often moving forward.
1. Harold Fannin Jr.
Harold Fannin Jr. emerged as the best tight end in the division as a rookie for the Cleveland Browns. The former third-round draft pick had a slow start under Flacco and Dillon Gabriel, but he quickly became a security blanket for Shedeur Sanders, who is being praised by his teammates this offseason. Fannin Jr. caught 72 passes as a rookie for 731 yards and six touchdowns.
Every team in the division wishes it had a young tight end like Fannin Jr. simply because of his athleticism. He has quickly emerged as a rising talent, and he is someone defensive coordinators will need to plan around for years to come. The Browns found a gem at the tight end position, and it’s clear Fannin Jr. will be the best among AFC North tight ends for years to come.
Main Photo Courtesy of Scott Galvin – Imagn Images
