ESPN ranked the top NFL tight ends ahead of the 2025 season, and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce was not at the top of the list.

On Friday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler continued his series of rankings based on input from NFL executives, coaches and scouts. This time, the league’s top 10 tight ends were listed. Fowler laid it out. The George Kittle vs. Travis Kelce battle raged on for a half-decade in glorious fashion.

But an appearance at No. 5 in ESPN's top 10 best tight ends ahead of the 2025 season says a lot, even after a disappointing season. Kelce fell from the No. 1 spot, where he was a season ago. The list was compiled by surveying NFL coaches, scouts and executives, and it was all put together by Jeremy Fowler.