Who are the best NFC South Tight Ends for 2026? Tight ends have long been one of the most anonymous position groups in the NFL. There are only ten tight ends in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a testament to how little respect they have received over the years. Things have changed over the past three decades, though. National Tight Ends Day began in 2018, as the fourth Sunday in October was set aside by the NFL to recognize the significance of tight ends.
We return with Last Word On the NFL’s top returning series as we take a look at the best players at their position groups. Who makes number one as the best NFC South Tight End for 2026? Let’s take a look.
The Best NFC South Tight Ends For 2026
5. Oscar Delp, New Orleans Saints
Delp, the rookie tight end from the University of Georgia, was selected by the Saints in the third round of this year’s draft and has loads of potential. Enough potential, in fact, to warrant already earning a spot as the fifth-best tight end in the NFC South. Delp will begin his career as a traditional tight end for New Orleans, with Juwan Johnson getting the starting nod in single tight end alignments. Watch for the rookie to play a big role in pass protection and as a run blocker in two tight end sets. Delp’s sub-4.5 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine gives quarterback Tyler Schough another weapon in the receiving game as well.
"I expect him to walk into 2027 with a shot to be the team’s starting TE"@DBro_FFB thinks Oscar Delp could be worth the wait ⌚️pic.twitter.com/HaXp2iuKR1
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) June 28, 2026
4. Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers
The former third-round pick from Notre Dame is seen by most as the best blocking tight end in the NFC South. Tremble is entering his sixth season in Carolina, and he is like an extra lineman on the field. Tremble is not a receiving star, collecting just 112 receptions and 11 touchdowns in five seasons. He is, though, very effective in the running game for Carolina, and he does a great job in pass protection, especially against edge rushers. Tremble has been used as a tight end, fullback, and H-back and will be the Panthers’ starting tight end in 2026.
3. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Johnson enters 2026 as the Saints’ starting tight end, having made the switch from receiver to tight end since entering the league in 2020. At 6’4″ and 231 pounds has the size and imposing presence to excel in the passing game. Johnson has languished, though, in New Orleans with some uncertainty at quarterback. He had his best season in 2025, hauling in 77 receptions for 889 yards. This career-best season coincided with the arrival of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Johnson is predicted by many to top the 1,000-yard mark in 2026 with Shough continuing to develop his game.
2. Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In four seasons for the Bucs, Otton has collected 207 receptions for 2,018 yards. Nothing spectacular, but clearly Otton has shown signs his production is worthy of our number two spot on this list. The departure of Tampa Bay legend Mike Evans is certainly a big hole to fill this season, but Otton is one who likely benefits the most. Baker Mayfield is entering a contract year, with some doubt as to whether he will sign a long-term extension before the season. Look for Mayfield to rely on Otton all over the field, who could see numbers approaching 90 receptions and a possible 1,000 receiving yard season with a motivated Mayfield.
1. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
It might be hard to look across the NFL and find any division with any position group where there is a bigger gap between #1 and the rest of the bunch than in the NFC South Tight Ends. Pitts has decent numbers in his five-year career with 287 catches and 3,579 yards, but it’s his potential that separates him from other tight ends in the division. Pitts has the size, speed, strength, and athleticism to pair 100+ receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in 2026.
Saying this, with a Bucs helmet in your backdrop, after Kyle Pitts dropped 11-166-3 on your team, is absolutely wild pic.twitter.com/E3dvd36itT
— Rise Up Drake (@RiseUpReader) June 26, 2026
