NFL training camps are in full swing, and as teams ease back into on-field drills and practices in the dead of the summer, football fans have a reason to rejoice. The preseason officially began last week, and teams are preparing for their second exhibition games this weekend. As the start of the NFL regular season inches closer (Sept. 9), we are continuing to look at key offseason storylines for each of the league’s 32 teams.
We’ve already looked at the top position battles to watch, rookies with the best chance of winning a starting job, and the players in the most danger of being cut, plus we’ve ranked the top head coaches, quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers by division. Now, we’re power ranking the tight end rooms in each division. First up is the AFC North.
The 27-year-old Freiermuth has been a rock for the Steelers’ offense over the last five seasons. He’s had 60 or more catches three times, and he’s been over 650 yards twice with two seven-touchdown seasons. Washington had a breakout year as Pittsburgh’s TE2 last year, totaling 31 catches for 364 yards and a touchdown.
As far as 1-2 TE punches go, no one in the division has a better one than the Steelers. Andrew isn’t the elite player he used to be, but at age 30, he’s still pretty reliable. He’s had 45 or more catches in each of the last four years with 540 or more yards in three of them.
With Isaiah Likely now in New York, Andrews should see an uptick in production in 2026. Smythe is a solid veteran backup, and Cuevas and Hibner are both hungry rookies who could see some solid playing time. Fannin Jr. burst onto the scene as a rookie last season, leading the Browns in receptions (72), yards (731), and touchdowns (six).
In fact, he was so impressive it made former Pro Bowler David Njoku expendable. Behind Fannin Jr., rookie fifth-round pick Joe Royer should see some decent targets and rookie seventh-rounder Carsen Ryan could surprise some people. The Bengals have the best wide receiver corps in the division, but they’re dead last when it comes to tight ends.
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