Power Ranking the Tight End Rooms in the AFC East

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.

Key points

• Taylor had a solid rookie year in 2025, recording 44 receptions, 360 yards, and one touchdown.
• 1 tight end in the 2026 draft class, and he should create an instant impact with the Jets.
• Kincaid and Knox combined for 75 receptions, 988 yards, and nine touchdowns last season.
• Henry has been highly consistent since his rookie year in 2016.
• The Dolphins may just have the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL, and their tight end room isn't much better.

By Michael Gallagher Sports Content Coordinator. Newsweek is a Trust Project member.

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In practice, 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. Next up is the AFC East. 1- Buffalo Bills: Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes.

Not only do the Bills have the best individual tight end in the division, they have the best group of tight ends from top to bottom – and it's not even close.

Kincaid and Knox combined for 75 receptions, 988 yards, and nine touchdowns last season. Both are usually safe bets for at least 500 yards and a handful of touchdowns each. Hawes totaled 16 catches, 187 yards, and three touchdowns as a rookie, and he's a solid TE3. 2- New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, Mason Taylor, Jeremy Ruckert.

Sadiq was the No. 1 tight end in the 2026 draft class, and he should create an instant impact with the Jets. This person haven't had a true difference-maker at tight end in years. He put up 51 catches, 560 yards, and eight TDs last year at Oregon, and his freakishly athletic build should create him a matchup nightmare.

Taylor had a solid rookie year in 2025, recording 44 receptions, 360 yards, and one touchdown. Ruckert is a really good TE3 and should be a situational contributor. 3- New England Patriots: Hunter Henry, Eli Raridon, Jack Westover.

Henry has been highly consistent since his rookie year in 2016. He's totaled 50 or more catches in five of his nine seasons, 500 or more yards in seven of them, and five or more touchdowns in five seasons.

In practice, the Pats are high on rookie third-rounder Eli Raridon. This person should see plenty of reps in 2026. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception last year at Notre Dame. 4- Miami Dolphins: Greg Dulcich, Will Kacmarek, Ben Sims.

Notably, the Dolphins may just have the worst wide receiver corps in the NFL, and their tight end room isn't much better. In his first season in Miami, Dulcich recorded just 26 reception, 335 yards, and one score. He's never had more than 33 catches, or 411 yards in any season, and he's by no means TE1 material.

Kacmarek, a rookie third-round pick, may be groomed to be the future TE1, but with the lack of talent on Miami's offense, it's doubtful he makes a meaningful impact immediately.

Taken together, the developments around power Ranking the Tight End Rooms in the AFC East point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.