Ranking AFC South’s Tight End Groups for 2026
The NFL training camps are underway, signaling an exciting time for football fans. With teams engaging in on-field drills during the summer, the preseason kicked off last week. Teams are now gearing up for their second exhibition games. The NFL regular season is set to start on September 9, and attention remains on key offseason developments across the league’s 32 teams.
The focus has been on position battles, rookies eyeing starting roles, and players at risk of being cut. We’ve also assessed head coaches, quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers by division. In this piece, we analyze the tight end groups in each AFC South team.
AFC South Tight End Rankings
1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts’ tight end room features Tyler Warren, Will Mallory, Mo Alie-Cox, and Drew Ogletree. Warren, the 14th overall pick in the 2025 draft, impressed with 76 receptions, 817 yards, and four touchdowns as a rookie. He has established himself as a standout young tight end. Mallory, Alie-Cox, and Ogletree contribute as valuable depth options.
2. Houston Texans
For the Texans, Dalton Schultz, Cade Stover, and Brevin Jordan make up the tight end unit. Schultz has been consistent since 2020, with at least 53 catches and 530 yards in each season. He reached career highs with 82 catches and 777 yards last year. Stover provides solid backup play, while Jordan, if healthy, can be a strong third option.
3. Tennessee Titans
Gunnar Helm, Daniel Bellinger, and Kylen Granson lead the Titans’ tight ends with Chig Okonkwo now in Washington. Helm recorded more receptions than Okonkwo last year with 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns. Bellinger, previously with the Giants, adds depth with 88 catches, 934 yards, and four touchdowns across four years.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ tight end contingent includes Brenton Strange, Nate Boerkircher, and Tanner Koziol. Strange had a decent 2025 with 46 receptions, 540 yards, and three touchdowns, though not matching Evan Engram’s impact. The Jaguars, with quality wide receivers, don’t require massive output from tight ends. They drafted Boerkircher and Koziol in the 2026 NFL draft for multiple tight end sets.