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NFC North TE Rankings for 2026

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Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

The latest in our NFC North positional rankings sees us take a look at the tight end position. This is another position group in the division that is loaded with talent, making it difficult to separate the four teams.

NFC North TE Rankings for 2026

For the TE group, the main focus is on the top two players on each team’s depth chart, with other options taken into consideration. I had the Vikings in first place in last season’s ranking, but they don’t fare so well this time around. Here are my NFC North TE rankings for 2026.

1. Chicago Bears – Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet

Chicago has invested heavily in the draft at the TE position in recent years, spending a first-round pick on Colston Loveland, a second-round pick on Cole Kmet, and going again this year, spending a third-round pick on Sam Roush. It has given the Bears not just the top-end quality but also strong depth.

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Loveland immediately became the team’s TE1, going over 700 receiving yards and scoring six touchdowns in his rookie season. With a head coach who has proven he likes to give his TEs a heavy workload, Loveland should be looking to go even bigger in Year 2.

2. Detroit Lions – Sam LaPorta and Tyler Conklin

Sam LaPorta’s 2025 season ended after Week 10 due to a herniated disc in his back. It led to career lows in his numbers across the board, but 489 receiving yards and three touchdowns from nine games showed his production didn’t suffer from the exit of Ben Johnson as the Lions’ playcaller. Tyler Conklin was signed on free agency, perhaps as insurance if LaPorta takes time to get back up to speed, or as a replacement for Brock Wright, whose name has been mentioned with a potential exit

Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Tyler Conklin (83) and the Minnesota Vikings are introduced as they prepare to play the Dallas Cowboys at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports.

Conklin is well known to Vikings fans, a fifth-round pick by Minnesota back in 2018. Conklin has gone on to have a solid career. How good the Lions are at this position and as a team could hinge on if/when LaPorta gets back to his best. Detroit’s form nose dived after LaPorta got injured last season, winning only three of the last eight games and finishing last in the division.

3. Green Bay Packers – Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave

Tucker Kraft was building on his good season in 2024 and looking to go even better in 2025 when an ACL tear cut his season short. Kraft had racked up 489 receiving yards and six touchdowns from just eight games. The Packers will be hoping he can return to that form in 2026.

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Luke Musgrave was taken a round earlier (second round) than Kraft in the 2023 draft, but hasn’t managed to have the same impact. Musgrave couldn’t take advantage of Kraft’s injury either and isn’t certain to stay above Josh Whyle on the depth chart. What should be an area of strength on the Packers’ teams has question marks hanging over it coming into the new season.

4. Minnesota Vikings – T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver

It looked for a moment that T.J. Hockenson was heading out of Minnesota, but a reworked deal that makes him a free agent at the end of the season saw him stay. Hockenson was set for a 1,000 receiving yards season in 2023 before a knee injury ended his season a couple of games earlier. He hasn’t been able to find that form since, although that would have been difficult for anybody in the Vikings stuttering offense of 2025. 

Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Hockenson turns 29 in July and should have some good years left in him. With a contract to play for, he will be eager to show he can still be one of the top receiving TEs in the league.

Josh Oliver is one of the best blocking TEs in the league and has shown he is well capable of making a play when called upon. However, he’s not the most dynamic, and not a guy you’d want to step into a role as a focal point receiver of Hockenson can’t play. I thought the Vikings would look to draft a potential Hockenson replacement in the draft, but that never materialized.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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‘Ben Stokes will be captain’: Head coach Brendon McCullum gives massive update after England’s 253-run defeat to New Zealand | Cricket News

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'Ben Stokes will be captain': Head coach Brendon McCullum gives massive update after England's 253-run defeat to New Zealand
Engalnd captain Ben Stokes with coach Brendon McCullum (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: England captain Ben Stokes is set to return for the third Test against New Zealand in Nottingham after missing the second match, which ended in a crushing 253-run defeat for England at The Oval. Head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Stokes will resume captaincy despite an ongoing disciplinary investigation into a breach of team rules earlier this month.Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson had been left out of the second Test after violating the team’s curfew following England’s victory in the series opener. During his time away from the national side, Stokes turned out for Durham and impressed with a quickfire 95 against Northamptonshire. Both he and Atkinson were later withdrawn from their county games, fuelling speculation of a return.Confirming the skipper’s comeback, McCullum said: “Ben will be back. He’ll be back and he’ll be captain.”“I think everyone is excited about that, especially after seeing him hit some form for Durham.”“I’ve been speaking to Ben every single day since we had the incident and my assessment was that I was worried about him. To see him go out there and play some cricket and look like he was enjoying himself is really positive.“I’m not going to divulge our conversations because they are confidential but it’s great to see him back playing and I look forward to seeing him in a couple of days.”

Relationship questions dismissed

Recent reports suggested tensions had developed between McCullum and Stokes following England’s Ashes defeat and the disciplinary issue. However, the coach insisted their relationship remained strong.“We’ve worked together intimately for four years, we’ve achieved some cool things and we’ve let ourselves down in other things.“We have robust conversations all the way through and that’s to be expected when you’re in positions of leadership. There’s mutual respect there.”McCullum also stressed that mistakes cannot be ignored, saying: “It’s really important to separate the actions from the man… You address it and you try to move on.”Stokes’s return could provide England with a timely boost as they look to bounce back in the series decider.

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Spain vs Saudi Arabia LIVE SCORE FIFA WC 2026: Brace for Oyarzabal; ESP 3-0 KSA (2nd half) | FIFA World Cup 2026

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2010 champions Spain will be looking to secure their first win of the FIFA World Cup 2026 when they take on Saudi Arabia in a Group H match today at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta.

 


Spain, in their campaign opener, played out a 0-0 draw against debutants Cape Verde, with sub-par performances from strikers Ferran Torres and Mikel Oyarzabal. Winger Lamine Yamal was introduced in the 70th minute and created some good scoring chances but was unable to help his team break the deadlock.

 

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Spain will be desperate for a win, as a loss or draw against Saudi Arabia could put them in a troublesome position in the race for Round of 32 qualification.

 


On the other hand, Saudi Arabia are coming into the match with a little more confidence than Spain, as they played out a 1-1 draw against Uruguay. With all four teams tied on one point each, Saudi Arabia will have the chance to create a huge upset if they hold Spain to a draw or somehow manage to secure a win over them.


Spain hope attacking stars can make the difference


Luis de la Fuente’s men enter the contest under pressure after failing to convert their dominance into goals against Cape Verde. Spain enjoyed 74 per cent possession and attempted 27 shots in the opener but lacked the cutting edge required to secure all three points.

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The return to full fitness of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams could provide the spark Spain need. Both attackers made substitute appearances in the opener after recovering from hamstring issues and are expected to push for starting roles, potentially replacing Ferran Torres and Gavi. However, Víctor Muñoz remains unavailable with an injury, while Mikel Merino is also doubtful.

 


Despite the disappointing start, Spain remain among the tournament favourites and will back their possession-based game to unlock the Saudi defence.

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Saudi Arabia seek another upset with disciplined approach


Saudi Arabia arrive with renewed confidence after claiming a valuable point against Uruguay. Abdulelah Al Amri’s opener had put the Green Falcons on course for victory before Maxi Araújo’s late equaliser ensured the points were shared.

 


Coach Georgios Donis is expected to retain the side that impressed in the opening fixture. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari, who has scored 27 goals in 111 appearances for his country, will once again be central to Saudi Arabia’s attacking plans, while Firas Al Buraikan is set to spearhead the frontline.

 

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The Green Falcons earned praise for their organised defensive structure against Uruguay and will likely adopt a similar approach against Spain. Having already shown they can frustrate higher-ranked opponents, Saudi Arabia will be confident of causing another surprise and strengthening their chances of progressing from Group H.


FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain vs Saudi Arabia: Starting 11


Spain starting 11: Unai Simon, Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Pedri, Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal

 


Saudi Arabia starting 11: Mohammed Al Owais, Saud Abdulhamid, Hassan Al Tambakti, Ali Lajami, Abdullah Al Amri, Nawaf Al-Harbi, Nasser Al-Dawsari, Musab Al-Juwayr, Ziyad Alkhaibari, Feras Albrikan, Salem Al-Dawsari

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FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain vs Saudi Arabia live telecast:


The live telecast of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Saudi Arabia will be available on the Unite8 Sports Network.


FIFA World Cup 2026 Spain vs Saudi Arabia live streaming:


The live streaming of the FIFA World Cup 2026 match between Spain and Saudi Arabia will be available on the ZEE5 app and website.

 


Check all the live updates of the Spain vs Saudi Arabia match in FIFA World Cup 2026 here

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Manchester United might have a surprise Mateus Fernandes transfer alternative

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Man Utd are focusing on the signing of Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, but if they miss out on the 21-year-old they might have a new option.

Manchester United have embraced the data revolution under Ineos, but even amid all the numbers and the algorithms, there is still room for good old-fashioned scouting and the eye test, and one potential midfield addition could have a big supporter at Old Trafford.

United are still working on a deal to make Mateus Fernandes their second midfield signing of the summer, with Tottenham providing some competition for a player West Ham value at £80million. If they land Fernandes, United will set their sights lower for a third midfield addition this summer, if required.

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But if the deal for Fernandes becomes too expensive, just as Elliot Anderson did when Manchester City made a bid of more than £120million, then alternatives will be sought and reports in Germany have claimed there is interest in Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha.

The 25-year-old is enjoying an excellent World Cup and looks an all-round midfielder that could slot nicely into the United set-up, and he won praise from Gary Neville on ITV during the coverage of Germany’s win against the Ivory Coast.

“The more he plays like he did the other night the more expensive he’ll get,” Neville said. “But at the moment, we hear Manchester United are being quoted £100 million for the West Ham boy Fernandes, so they’re going to have to be looking around this tournament and parts of Europe.

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“He looked outstanding the other night, it looked like he had absolutely everything.”

Nmecha has something else going for him at Old Trafford, and that is where the eye test comes in. He spent a dozen years at Manchester City’s academy and was there at the same time as Jason Wilcox.

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Wilcox is now United’s director of football, but he was a coach at City’s academy while Nmecha was there and eventually became the head of the academy, so he knows plenty about the German international and was well aware of his talents while at the Etihad.

Nmecha was actually released by City in the summer of 2021, having made just three first-team appearances, but he has gone to another level on his return to the Bundesliga, first with Wolfsburg and now with Dortmund, and if his World Cup continues on this trajectory, he could attract some serious transfer interest this summer.

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His brother Lukas has already returned to the Premier League with Leeds, having also been at City. Felix looks like a Premier League midfielder in the making with his strength and running power, and perhaps he will soon return to England as well.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 release date, time, where to watch and more

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With the season coming nearly coming to end, Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 is slated to premiere on June 26, 2026. The penultimate episode will be available to stream on Paramount+ by 3:00 a.m. ET. You can also watch it later that day on Paramount Network at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The first season consists of nine episodes, making this chapter a crucial one before the finale arrives on July 3. The previous episode left several relationships and rivalries in a complicated place as tensions within Rio Paloma continued to affect both the Duttons and those around them.

The upcoming chapter may bring a major collision of internal and external conflicts. Here is what the official logline for Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 reads:

“A storm shakes Rio Paloma; Beth and Rip’s choices are put to the test; Beulah’s bonds crumble; Joaquin and Will face off; Carter faces a crossroad that might define his future.”


When will Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 release?

Titled “Whiskey Limits,” Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 is scheduled to release on Friday, June 26, 2026. It will first become available on Paramount+ at 3:00 a.m. ET, allowing streaming subscribers to watch it before its television debut. Later, the same day, it will air on Paramount Network at 8:00 p.m. ET in the United States.

As Paramount+ releases its episodes simultaneously across the globe, viewers in different regions will receive access at different local times depending on their time zone. Here is the expected release timing for Dutton Ranch Season 1 Episode 8 in different time zones:

  • Pacific Time (PT): June 26, 2026, at 12:00 AM
  • Mountain Time (MT): June 26, 2026, at 1:00 AM
  • Central Time (CT): June 26, 2026, at 2:00 AM
  • Eastern Time (ET): June 26, 2026, at 3:00 AM
  • Brazil Time (BRT): June 26, 2026, at 4:00 AM
  • United Kingdom (BST): June 26, 2026, at 8:00 AM
  • Central European Time (CEST): June 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM
  • Gulf Standard Time (GST): June 26, 2026, at 11:00 AM
  • Indian Standard Time (IST): June 26, 2026, at 12:30 PM
  • Philippine Time (PHT): June 26, 2026, at 3:00 PM
  • Japan Standard Time (JST): June 26, 2026, at 4:00 PM
  • Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST): June 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM
  • New Zealand Standard Time (NZST): June 26, 2026, at 7:00 PM

Where to watch Dutton Ranch?

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You can watch Dutton Ranch on Paramount+ in most regions. For those with traditional cable or live TV streaming platforms like Philo, FuboTV, or YouTube TV can watch Dutton Ranch as it broadcasts on the Paramount Network on Friday evenings at 8:00 PM ET/PT. In Indian region, the series is available on JioHotsar.