Fantasy Football Week 15 Tight End Rankings

The 2025-26 NFL season has been outstanding so far. Already there have been a ton of breakout players and fantasy duds that have made the game so entertaining. Bye weeks are officially over. This means that playoffs have likely began in your fantasy leagues. During the playoffs Fantasy Managers will have full utilization of their roster and need to make sure they have backup options on their roster incase their stars get hurt. There have plenty of injuries this season to crucial players that make the pool of players to choose from on waivers that much thinner. It’s always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the fantasy football week 15 tight end rankings.

[Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to Injured Reserve List]

[Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week]

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting TE1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a solid floor.

Touchdown Dependent Starter- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not because of depth at the position. Their production is based on whether they can get in the end zone or not. It can be the difference between a top 10 performance or a top 25 performance

Deep League Starter- a player whose ceiling isn’t high but should put up enough production to be started in deep leagues. When a player like this is started it is because their production though it will likely be low, will be better than a few options.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Players that could miss this week’s game

TE3 Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts is questionable for this week’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a knee injury. He was limited in practice this week. If Pitts misses Week 15 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Charlie Woerner will start at tight end for the Atlanta Falcons.

TE7 Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Jake Ferguson was limited in practice on Wednesday with a calf injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss time. If Ferguson misses Week 15 against the Minnesota Vikings Luke Schoonmaker becomes TE14 between Isaiah Likely and Hunter Henry.

TE16 T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

T.J. Hockenson missed practice on Wednesday with a shin injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss time. If Hockenson misses Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys Josh Oliver becomes TE24 between Evan Engram and Gunnar Helm.

TE18 Theo Johnson, New York Giants

Theo Johnson was limited in practice on Wednesday with a toe injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss time. If Johnson misses Week 15 against the Washington Commanders Daniel Bellinger becomes TE25 between Gunnar Helm and Mason Taylor.

TE26 Mason Taylor, New York Jets

Mason Taylor missed practice on Wednesday with a neck injury. It is unclear if this injury could cause him to miss time. If Taylor misses Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars Jeremy Ruckert becomes TE 38 below Anthony Firkser.

TE27 Darnell Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers

Darnell Washington suffered a concussion last week against Baltimore Ravens. It is unlikely that he plays this week given the nature of his injury. If Washington misses Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins Jonnu Smith moves up to TE27 between Mason Taylor and Darren Waller. Pat Freiermuth becomes TE34 between Ben Sinnot and Michael Mayer.

TE30 David Njoku, Cleveland Browns

David Njoku suffered a knee injury last week against the Tennessee Titans. He missed practice on Wednesday because of the injury. If Njoku misses Week 15 against the Chicago Bears Harold Fannin Jr. locks in at TE6 between Travis Kelce and Jake Ferguson.

TE35 Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Mayer has missed the past two games with an ankle injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday because of the injury. If Mayer misses Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles Ian Thomas will replace Michael Mayer in the team’s starting lineup.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders

Last week against the Minnesota Vikings Zach Ertz suffered a torn ACL. This injury will end his 2025-26 season. This also makes it difficult to imagine Ertz is ready to be a team’s primary tight end early next season. There is a chance that he latches onto a team midseason when he is healthy. But there is a chance that this is the last time we see Ertz play in the NFL. For the remainder of the season Ben Sinnot should see an extended look as the team’s starting tight end. Washington should see what they have in the second year player. John Bates could also see an increase in snaps as well.

Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cade Otton is considered doubtful to play this week against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed practice all of this week with a knee injury. While Otton is out Payne Durham will start at tight end for Tampa Bay. Durham should not be near fantasy lineups at this point of the season.

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