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10 Best Tight Ends of All Time: 2023 Edition

Who are the best tight ends of all time? It’s a position that’s become a hybrid role and is one of the most physically challenging to play.

Best Tight Ends of All Time

The tight end position has evolved over the years, from primarily a blocking role, to an integral part of the passing game. Let’s take a look at the 10 best tight ends of all time.

10. John Mackey

John Mackey was a pioneer of the tight end position and helped transform the role of a tight end into what it is today with his speed and athleticism. In a 10-season career he scored 38 touchdowns, had 331 receptions and 5,236 receiving yards.

A five-time Pro Bowler, Mackey helped guide the Baltimore Colts to an NFL championship in 1968, and to a victory in Super Bowl V in 1971.

9. Jason Witten

Jason Witten was an absolute star in a 17-year career where he spent all but one season with the Dallas Cowboys. One of the best tight ends of all time, Witten was a good blocker and acted like a sixth offensive lineman for the Cowboys.

An offensive leader for his team, Witten earned 11 Pro Bowl appearances. As a receiver he had great hands and was often a target for Tony Romo. Witten finished his career with 1,152 receptions, 68 touchdowns and 12,448 receiving yards.

8. Mike Ditka

Before Mike Ditka became a legendary head coach he had a 12-year playing career with the best part spent at the Chicago Bears. Ditka became a five-time All Pro and his toughness and competitiveness helped shape the modern tight end position. 

Ditka was a great blocker and he loved the contact. He made a name for himself as a receiver with his power and deceitful speed. He finished his career with 427 receptions, 5,812 yards, 43 touchdowns, and won Super Bowl VI with the Cowboys.

7. Ozzie Newsome

Ozzie Newsome is one of the best tight ends of all time. Consistently reliable across his entire 13-year career with the Cleveland Browns, he showed exceptional route-running ability, great hands, good speed and could block. 

A three-time Pro Bowler, Newsome finished his career with 662 receptions, 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. Following his playing career he morphed into one of the greatest General Managers in history, becoming the architect for two Super Bowls for the Baltimore Ravens.

6. Kellen Winslow Sr.

In nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers Kellen Winslow earned five Pro Bowl appearances. At 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds he created the prototype for the modern tight end. Winslow ran great routes and was excellent with his hands. 

One of the best tight ends in history, Winslow set multiple then-records for catches and receiving yards. He finished his career with 541 catches for 6,741 yards, and scored 45 touchdowns. Winslow also became the first tight end to lead the league in receptions in back-to-back seasons.

5. Travis Kelce

The Kansas City Chiefs have had luck with drafting tight ends and took Travis Kelce in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. Kelce has great route running ability, size and ball skills. He also has strong blocking ability but it’s his receiving ability that has made him one of the most productive tight ends in history. 

After his tenth season in the NFL he has earned eight Pro Bowl appearances, is a two-time Super Bowl champion, caught 814 passes, 69 receiving touchdowns and 10,344 receiving yards. In 2022 he also became the fifth tight end to score four touchdowns in a single game.

4. Shannon Sharpe

Shannon Sharpe took the tight end position to another level and he became first at the position to receive over 10,000 yards. He spent 12 of his 14-year career in Denver and helped the Broncos to three Super Bowl victories. 

An eight-time Pro Bowler, Sharpe changed the game during the 1990s. He was often double-teamed and still finished his career with 815 receptions, 10,060 receiving yards and 62 touchdowns. In 2002 he set the record for most receiving yards in a game by a tight end with 214 yards.

3. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski was like a cheat code in his prime. Alongside Tom Brady, the pair created one of the most devastating tight end-quarterback duos in history. Gronkowski often created mismatches with his agility, size and power. He earned five Pro Bowl appearances and four Super Bowls victories. 

An elite blocker, Gronkowski finished his career with 9,286 receiving yards from 621 catches, and he scored 92 receiving touchdowns. Gronkowski had a record-breaking 2011 season with 90 receptions, 1327 yards and 17 touchdowns.

2. Antonio Gates

Antonio Gates is one of the greatest tight ends of all time. In a 16-year career spent entirely at the Chargers, Gates caught 955 passes for 11,841 receiving yards, and scored 116 receiving touchdowns.

Remarkably, Gates played college basketball and never played football, before making the transition after being told he’d never make the NBA. 

Gates earned eight Pro Bowl appearances. He exploited his basketball skills, using his speed, height and hand-eye coordination to dominate. A constant red-zone threat, he somehow had elite instincts for the game despite his basketball history.

1. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the best tight end of all time, dominating the NFL across a 17-year career. His rookie season aside, Gonzalez started every game of his career. A 14-time Pro Bowler, Gonzalez played both basketball and football in college, ultimately deciding to declare for the NFL draft. 

As an undersized power forward in basketball terms, Gonzalez outjumped almost every linebacker he came up against. He had immense athleticism, was quick, powerful, and he had to play his career in double or triple coverage. 

Gonzalez finished his career with the most career receiving yards by a tight end with 15,127. He also has the most career receptions by a tight end with 1,325, and he scored 111 receiving touchdowns in what is the best tight end career in NFL history. 

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