The fantasy football landscape is already buzzing about tight ends, and for good reason. Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride just delivered one of the most dominant seasons the position has ever seen. In 2025, he set a new NFL record for receptions by a tight end with 126 catches, finishing as the overall TE1 in fantasy. But as we look ahead to 2026, the big question is: Can he keep it up, or is a regression coming?
To put McBride's season in perspective, he racked up 242.9 fantasy points from Weeks 1 through 17. That's nearly 85 points more than the TE2, Kyle Pitts Sr., who finished with 158 points. That kind of gap is almost unheard of at the tight end position, and it's why McBride has become a household name in fantasy circles.
On the latest episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, analysts Matt Harmon and Justin Boone broke down McBride's outlook and how he stacks up against another elite young tight end: Las Vegas Raiders rookie sensation Brock Bowers.
Harmon pointed out a staggering stat: McBride ran 694 routes last season. That didn't just lead all tight ends—it led all pass-catchers in the entire NFL. The second-closest player? His own teammate, wide receiver Michael Wilson. That level of target share is almost impossible to replicate, especially with a new coaching staff in Arizona and the addition of rookie running back Jeremiyah Love, who is expected to take some pressure off the passing game.
While Harmon still expects the Cardinals to lean pass-heavy in many game scripts this season, he believes a statistical drop-off is almost inevitable. That said, he was comfortable with where McBride was drafted in a recent 10-round mock draft—going at Pick No. 22 in the third round to Boone. However, Harmon made it clear that he believes Brock Bowers should be the first tight end off the board in 2026 drafts.
Boone agreed wholeheartedly, emphasizing that this isn't about talent. Both McBride and Bowers are elite athletes and the clear top targets on their respective teams. But when you look at the situation, Bowers has the edge. Under new Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak, the offense is expected to flow through the tight end, and Las Vegas didn't bring in much competition at wide receiver. That means Bowers is primed for a massive target share from day one.
For fantasy managers, the tight end position is as deep and exciting as it's been in years. Whether you're targeting McBride's proven production or Bowers' tantalizing upside, both players offer elite potential. The key is knowing when to strike in your draft—and understanding that even the best seasons can be tough to repeat.