When looking at who are the best tight ends of all time it’s important to focus on the era they were playing. By doing so we can get a more accurate measurement of their impact on the game. Let’s take a closer look and break down the greatest tight ends to play in the NFL.

10. Charlie Sanders

Picking the 10th-best tight end was the toughest choice. Charlie Sanders, the Detroit Lions legend makes the cut. The Hall of Fame tight end was considered one of the best during his 10-year career. Many credit Sanders for revolutionizing the position as he was one of the first great pass catching tight ends. Like many of the tight ends we see in today’s game, Sanders had a basketball background. This allowed him to use his athleticism to high point the ball and come up with acrobatic catches. Sanders was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007 and passed away in 2015.

9. Jason Witten

Throughout his 17-year career, Jason Witten established himself as one of the most consistent and dependable tight ends in the NFL. Known for his high football IQ, precise route-running, and reliable hands, Witten consistently produced at a high level. His toughness and leadership on and off the field earned him immense respect from teammates and coaches. Witten will always be a fan favorite in Dallas and should one day make the Hall of Fame.

8. Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka was the first ever tight end to make the Hall of Fame. As a player, he was a dominant force in both the receiving and blocking aspects of the game. Ditka’s physicality, toughness, and tenacity set the standard for future generations of tight ends. His contributions as a player and later as a successful coach further solidify his legacy. Ditka was one of the most influential figures in the history of the position.

7. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates unique journey from college basketball player to NFL star exemplifies his exceptional athletic ability and adaptability. Gates seamlessly transitioned into football and became one of the most reliable and productive tight ends of his generation. Known for his basketball-like skills on the field, Gates utilized his size, leaping ability, and strong hands to create mismatches and consistently make big plays throughout his illustrious career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers. He will be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2024 and surely will make it in.

6. Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie Newsome’s consistent production and reliability made him one of the most respected tight ends of his era. Throughout his 13-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Newsome showcased exceptional hands, precise route running, and a knack for making crucial plays in key moments. His ability to consistently contribute as a receiver and a blocker earned him the nickname “The Wizard of Oz” and solidified his place among the best tight ends of all time.

5. Kellen Winslow Sr.

Kellen Winslow Sr.’s revolutionary contributions to the passing game set him apart as a true trailblazer at the tight end position. His exceptional receiving skills and athleticism paved the way for future generations of tight ends. Winslow Sr.’s memorable performances, including the legendary “Epic in Miami” playoff game, etched his name in NFL history and solidified his status as one of the all-time greats.

4. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe’s remarkable speed and versatility made him a game-changer at the tight end position. His ability to stretch the field and make explosive plays resulted in three Super Bowl victories and numerous records. Sharpe’s impact as both a receiver and a blocker showcases the diverse skill set that sets him apart in the annals of tight end history. Sharpe continues to make an impact in the sports industry as a media personality.

3. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez’s 17-year career is a testament to his unparalleled consistency and exceptional receiving skills. Known for his precise route running and sure hands, Gonzalez set the standard for modern tight ends. His ability to contribute as a blocker and a receiver, along with his record-breaking statistics, solidifies his position as one of the greatest tight ends of all time.

2. Travis Kelce

At age 33, Travis Kelce is showing no signs of slowing down. Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are the greatest quarterback/tight end duo the game has ever seen. Kelce possesses elite route-running abilities and the shiftiness of a wide receiver. With 2 Super Bowl titles already under his belt, the 8-time All-Pro tight end will no doubt be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

1. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski’s combination of size, strength, and athleticism makes him a matchup nightmare for any defense. His ability to overpower defenders and make acrobatic catches in the red zone has made him one of the most dominant tight ends in history. Gronkowski’s rapport with Tom Brady resulted in numerous record-breaking seasons and four Super Bowl championships, cementing his legacy as the best tight end of all time.

Looking for more all-time great lists? Check out our top 10 quarterbacks of all time feature.

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By: Jake Rajala

The former Dallas Cowboys mythical tight end Jason Witten famously broke a door in the draft process because he slid to the third round. It would be an understatement to say Witten was motivated to begin work with the Boys. Witten made his first of many Pro Bowls in his second season. He would not only unleash a legendary Cowboys career, but he would have one of the best TE journies of all time. Tony Romo’s best friend officially retired from a 17-season career in the 2021 off-season.

With that enunciated, there is a fascinating, pivotal question that surrounds the Cowboys play-maker: Is Witten a future Hall of Famer? Well, I’m going to untwine his production and compare his career to a fellow HOF-bound TE.

Jason Witten’s career marks

• 13,046 career receiving yards
• 74 career receiving touchdowns
• 11-time Pro Bowl selection
• Two-time All-Pro selection

It’s clear that Witten was an unstoppable weapon for the Cowboys on 11 different occasions. He wasn’t able to garner his elusive Super Bowl ring, but he did still go down as the Boys all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He’s also the Boys second-time leader in receiving touchdowns.

Here is a sharp look at how Witten’s career production compares to the output of Antonio Gates, Shannon Sharpe, and Kellen Winslow.

Antonio Gates’s career marks

• Eight Pro Bowl-selection
• Three-time All-Pro selection
• 11,841 career receiving yards
• 116 career receiving touchdowns
• Three-time All-Pro selection

Gates and Witten clearly have similar career production. Witten has a bit more yardage than Gates, but the former Chargers freak TE noticeably has more TDs than Witten. Both TEs have at least two All-Pro nods (of course, Gates has one more AP spot than Witten). I believe that Gates’s career accomplishments should make Witten feel confident about his chances of getting into Canton. It should be noted that both TEs have dominated in their football lives, but neither has won an SB ring.

I have no doubt that Witten will make it into the HOF. However, I believe his empty SB closet means he won’t be a first-ballot HOFer. I still foresee him getting into football heaven shortly after he is eligible.

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By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been one of the very best NFL players over the past four seasons. The 49ers TE had career-high marks in a few categories: receiving yards (1,377 yards), receptions (88), and targets (136) in 2018. It was safe to say that he blossomed as an all-around TE after his second season. Kittle was ranked as the second-best player by Pro Football Focus in 2019 and 2020 combined.

In 2021, Kittle had a Pro Bowl-caliber season (910 yards and 6 touchdowns in 14 games). There isn’t any sign that the 28-year-old TE is slowing down at this point in his career. With that enunciated, the ultimate question for the 49ers elite TE is none other than: Is George Kittle bound to make it into Canton? Well, I’m going to untwine his five-year resume to the first five seasons of the Canton-bound Antonio Gates.

Here is a closer look at how successful Kittle has been in his 49ers career thus far:

• Three Pro Bowl selections
• All-Pro
• 4,489 receiving yards
• 20 touchdowns

Here is the overview of Antonio Gates’s first-five seasons in the NFL:

• Three All-Pro selections
• Four Pro Bowl selections
• 4,382 receiving yards
• 43 receiving touchdowns

It’s clear that Gates enjoyed the taste of All-Pro honors a lot more than Kittle in the early stages of his career. Yet, Kittle had remarkably similar receiving yard numbers as Gates. It should also be noted that Kittle may not have been named All-Pro, but his recognition for being a very impressive all-around TE has been noticed by the football community.

All in all, I really feel like Kittle should feel optimistic about his path to finish with a gold jacket. His injury issues could be reflected in numerous ways. He can certainly expect to be more efficient if he has fewer injury habits than in the last few seasons, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if his injury concerns follow him and potentially force him to have an early retirement.

The last point that should make Kittle and 49ers fans encouraged is that he is playing with Kyle Shanahan and a talented roster. Gates may have been a greek-god like figure at TE, but he didn’t play with a genius head or a stacked team that even reached the big dance. If Kittle can have four or five more outstanding seasons while winning an SB ring with his mythical coach and impressive roster, Kittle should be a clear-cut HOF TE. If he doesn’t win a SB, I still expect him to have many more impressive seasons and get into the HOF.

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The Los Angeles Chargers feature a 23-year-old signal-caller that threw 5,014 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns last season. The Chargers will prioritize retaining their top WR Mike Williams (76, 1,149, 9), but they will need more of a bolt in their TE room. The days of Antonio Gates are sadly gone.

The Chargers carry Jared Cook, but he’s 34 years old (two years older than Gronk) and clearly not a Pro Bowl TE at this stage in his career. The Chargers should really revamp their TE position and potentially bring in a more explosive, younger TE to help the potential MVP candidate Justin Herbert. With that said, who could the Chargers sign at TE? Well, here are a few options.

Evan Engram

I feel absolutely confident that Evan Engram would have a career season in year one with the Chargers. The athletic freak who runs a 4.4 40 time may wise to have a “prove-it deal” with a quality team like LA. The Giants recently cut Kyle Rudolph and they’ve been rumored to trade Saquon Barkley. In general, it’s obvious that they’re building and I would expect Engram to receive more money from an ascending team with a potent quarterback.

It’s also exciting for teams interested in Engram that he is only 27 years old, which noticeably younger than Ertz (31) and Gronk (32). If he excels early, it’s clear the Chargers have a new long-term “weapon” in Engram. Engram may also switch to slot WR, according to New York Post. He would surely be an excellent third receiving option in Herbert’s arsenal.

Zach Ertz

It will really not be easy for the Chargers to ink Zach Ertz, as he has a plethora of talented, potential suitors. Nonetheless, the Chargers could be a great combination of culture and money (second in cap space) to lure the Eagles legendary TE. They have also been very curious about landing Ertz in the past, as shown in the first Twitter link on this article.

Ertz recorded 763 yards and five touchdowns with the Cardinals/Eagles in 2021. He has stated that he would like to return to AZ, but it may be a challenge for the “Kyler Murray-led” Cardinals to afford Ertz. He could also decide to return to Philly as a TE2/WR3 and sort out a better contract.

Rob Gronkowski

It’s very hard to predict what Gronk wants to do in 2022. He expressed interest in the Bengals and the Bills, but he might have an unexpected team that wins his heart at the end. Gronk should feel confident that he can be the chess piece that can guarantee the Chargers at least a wildcard playoff spot next season.

It isn’t like the Bills are a clear Super Bowl favorite or very wealthy team at the moment, too (24th in cap space). The Chargers could swoop in and he could be enticed about the QB, location, and contract that the Chargers could propose.

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