National Tight Ends Day: Ranking the current top 10 at the position; George Kittle defeats Raiders rookie

It's one of the biggest days in the NFL. No, it's not the Super Bowl or the NFL Draft, of course we're talking about…National Tight Ends Day. It's a day to celebrate some of the most influential offensive players on the field, and even though it's a newer holiday, the league takes it very seriously.

The holiday began in 2018 when former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo asked, “What is it like National Tight Ends Day?” after tight end Garrett Celek brought down two defenders while scoring a touchdown .

Tight end George Kittle responded: “Yes, it’s National Tight Ends Day. It's a holiday. Tight ends all over the league are scoring touchdowns.” That’s how it came about.

In honor of National Tight Ends Day, let's rank the ten best tight ends in the game right now. Remember, this is not a perpetual ranking but is based on the 2024 season.

Note: TJ Hockenson would be considered for the top 10, but has yet to play a game in 2024.

1. George Kittle

Always considered one of the best at his position, Kittle has taken the reins as the best tight end to date in 2024. He is second in receptions (34) and receiving yards (375) and first in touchdowns (5). Kittle is also one of the best blocking tight ends in the game – the complete package for the position.

Bowers is on pace to have one of the best seasons for a rookie tight end in NFL history. He leads all tight ends in receptions (47) and receiving yards (477) while starting two different quarterbacks for the Raiders. Bowers appears to be in for a great career and should be one of the tight ends in the game for years to come.

What LaPorta did for the Lions in his rookie season has already made him one of the game's best. LaPorta set the NFL rookie tight end record for receptions (86) while also setting the second-most touchdown receptions (10) and fourth-most receiving yards (889) by a rookie tight end in NFL history . He also became the second rookie in NFL history to post a rookie season with more than 85 receptions, more than 850 receiving yards, and more than 10 touchdown receptions (Odell Beckham Jr., 2014).

LaPorta has only 14 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown this season, but is still a key weapon in the Lions' offense.

Before suffering a hamstring injury in Week 6, Goedert was one of the game's best pass catchers this season. Goedert still ranks sixth among tight ends in receiving yards (301) and 11th in receiving yards (24) despite missing a game and a half.

When healthy, Goedert is one of the absolute tight ends the NFL has to offer. His biggest problem is staying on the field.

The Cardinals tight end is a rising star in the league. He is third among tight ends in receptions (33) and fourth in receiving yards (322), despite being held out of the end zone so far. McBride is still Kyler Murray's most reliable target and holds the Cardinals tight end record for receptions (81) and receiving yards (825) since the franchise moved to Arizona in 1988.

Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends of all time, probably (at least) one of the top three tight ends when all is said and done. This season, Kelce still ranks fourth among tight ends in receptions (28), but is 13th in receiving yards (245) and is averaging 8.8 yards per catch.

Teams are still focusing on Kelce to contain Patrick Mahomes, and he's still being kept out of the end zone. Kelce has turned things around, but the quality of tight ends is getting better every week. This is not a setback for Kelce, but rather what he has done for the position.

Kincaid is a rising star at tight end and one of Josh Allen's reliable targets in center field. Kincaid has 24 catches for 269 yards (eighth among tight ends) and one touchdown in seven games, although he has yet to have a receiving game of more than 60 yards this season.

Kincaid is still developing as a player, and the task should be easier with Amari Cooper.

Kraft, another rising star at the position, has emerged as another outstanding pass-catcher in a Packers offense full of them. Kraft has 21 catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns this season, averaging 12.6 yards per catch. His four touchdowns are behind only Kittle for the most in the NFL.

Kraft had to win the starting tight end job for these Packers this summer. He took that job and moved on and became one of the best players at his position.

Kmet, one of Caleb Williams' most reliable targets, has made life easier for the rookie quarterback. Kmet is seventh among tight ends in receiving yards (289), and his three receiving touchdowns are tied for third in the league at his position.

Kmet is also a strong blocker and is improving every year as a tight end. With Williams at quarterback, his value will continue to rise.

Otton, another reliable target for Baker Mayfield, will be the focus over the next few weeks with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out. Otton has 27 catches for 263 yards and a touchdown this season, ranking fifth in receptions and 11th in receiving yards among tight ends.

Otton is also a good blocker and has developed into one of the better tight ends in football.