2023 Pre-Season Rank #7, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #12, 2021 Pre-Season Rank: #20, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #37.  Peak Period: 2018-22

Travis Kelce's performance is exceptional, especially when compared to the only two legends in the Modern Positional Average statistics, Shannon Sharpe & Tony Gonzalez. Despite this daunting comparison, Kelce has not only measured up but surpassed expectations.  In the 2010s, he was the number two Tight End behind Rob Gronkowski, and now, he stands as the top man at his position among active players. It's not an exaggeration to say that he is the most recognized man in football.

Dating Taylor Swift will do that.

This man is a rock star of an athlete, but even if he was a mute, Kelce has the numbers of a Hall of Fame Tight End: over 11,000 Yards and 74 Touchdowns, a nine-year Pro Bowl streak, and four First Team All-Pros. Throw in three Super Bowls, and you have a man making a first-ballot Hall of Fame case and someone looking at the Mount Rushmore of Tight Ends.

Kelce might be declining, but not in popularity. 

2023 Pre-Season Rank #31, 2023 Pre-Season Rank #40, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #41, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #46.  Peak Period: 2011-15

Is it the end of the road for Jimmy Graham?  At one point, it looked like he was Hall of Fame-bound, and he looked like the game's top Tight End when he was in his first run in New Orleans, but that seems like a lifetime ago.  Overall, Graham's AV/G is low; he did not make the 10,000 Yard mark (and won't), but his 89 Touchdown Passes are sparkling, and when his name comes up for consideration, this should be one of the first things they look at.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #59, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #74, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #86, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #93.  Peak Period: 2018-19/2021-23

George Kittle is over the AV/G for Tight Ends, but six years does not a Hall of Fame career make.  It is safe to say that behind Travis Kelce,Kittle is regarded as the game's number two Tight End over the last few years, and second bnana to a crrent superstar like Kelce is not bad.  If the Niners win a Super Bowl, and Kittle can somehow supplant Kelce as the top TE in football (which could happen this year), it would go a long way for any potential Hall of Fame induction.  He has it in him to do it.

2023: Pre-Season Rank: #123. Peak Period: 2019-23

Andrews has emerged as one of the top receiving Tight Ends in the 2020s, having been a First Team All-Pro in 2021 and securing three Pro Bowls in his six years of NFL service. Last year, Andrews suffered an injury that derailed his season, but a healthy Andrews in 2024 could be named to his second First Team All-Pro and help anchor the Ravens to a Super Bowl.

2023 Pre-Season Rank #99, 2022 Pre-Season Rank #103, 2021 Pre-Season Rank #119, 2020 Pre-Season Rank #106.

Zach Ertz joins the Washington Commanders this year after his lowest season of productivity (187 RY/1 TD) in Arizona.  Ertz had a great run earlier in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he went to three straight Pro Bowls, but that was a long time ago. 

The Hall is looking out of his reach, but he did win a Super Bowl with the Eagles, and their Hall looks like a nice fit for the Tight End.