Streaming Tight Ends
Another week is in the books, and we are still waiting for that big blow-up week for the position. National Tight End Day is around the corner! Hunter Henry and Mark Andrews were the two standout performers of the week. The Patriots played a sloppy game, and Henry was the only one to come away with substantial points off his 30.6% target share. Mark Anderws scored twice while passing ninety yards, leaving us in disarray on how to handle him in rosters. Dalton Kincaid has seen his last two games with a 24% and 22% target share, yet he hasn’t hit a 65% route participation. I was hopeful about Chig Okonkwo this season, but his route participation share has dropped 20% since Week 1. TJ Hockenson had his highest target share of the season last week at 25%, unfortualy for him, Jordan Addison comes back this week and could muddy up this backfield more with Carson Wentz at the helm. Juwan Johnson had a season low 71% route participation, something to watch while he still maintained the second most targets.
With the injury to CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson is getting the biggest bump in my ranks. He will now be considered an every-week start until further notice. The Cowboys this season are throwing to the position at a top-five rate in the league, and that’s with CeeDee playing for the first two games. Tyler Warren came back to Earth a bit as the Colts continued their success on the ground. This week, though, Warren matches up with the Rams, who are ranked 25th so far this season against the position. Colston Loveland has been more involved in the Bears’ offense this week, but Cole Kmet pulled in the score. Call me crazy, but I see Kmet scoring again this week, playing the Raiders, who have struggled thus far with the poison. I’ve never been one to hop on the Cade Otton train, but similarly to the last time he gave us usable numbers, his team is in the same situation. Mike Evans will be missing time, Chris Godwin isn’t ready to come back, and rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka is banged up as well.
And now, here are a handful of my favorite streaming options for you all to consider this week:
Harold Fannin
Fannin the Fantasy Flames
Look, folks, we’re diving deep here. And at 46% rostered on Yahoo, it only gets uglier down this list. Harold Fannin is in a rough spot on paper. His team’s offense hasn’t been efficient, he’s behind another tight end, and they have two, possibly three, receivers that could be in the mix for targets. When you have to grab streamers this low, though, the thing you look for is opportunity and/or athleticism. He comes in as a low-floor, high-ceiling player. His yards after catch in college were insane, which contributed to his setting records not only in receptions but also in receiving yards. Cleveland is throwing to the position at the third-highest rate right now. He played just eight fewer snaps than David Njoku last week, which leaves him in a decent position to break off some big plays.
Brenton Strange
Someone has to catch them
Slowly but surely, we’re going to find Brenton Strange on this list. After seeing his targets rise every week this year, he finished last week with seven targets, six receptions, and sixty-one yards. This offense is struggling to put up points, but the running game is finding its stride, and the defense is playing well. Rookie Travis Hunter has found himself switching to more snaps on defense, and that is leaving the door open for other pass catchers to shine, as Brian Thomas Jr. is figuring out his way in his second season. There isn’t a huge floor at this point; you are starting him looking for a touchdown, but the involvement is promising enough that Strange could reach fringe TE1 numbers without a score.
Oronde Gadsden II
Charged up for a Breakout
We are down deep, everyone. Like, so deep that the only other person around is James Cameron. We are most likely looking at him more as a pickup right now, and that’s only going to be in deeper leagues, but if you don’t know who he is, Oronde Gadsden II is a day three rookie for the Chargers. He gave us quite a few highlights in the preseason but ultimately fell behind in the depth chart. Now, with a Will Dissly injury, Oronde ran just one fewer route than the other tight end, Tyler Conklin, which may give room in this offense for his explosive play ability. In college last year, Gadsden had 16 catches of over 20 yards. The Chargers are second in pass rate over expected so far this year, leaving plenty of opportunities for big-time plays with the tight end. Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman was also the OC for the Ravens through Mark Andrews‘ breakout years, so he is capable of making this type of player shine.
Let me know what you think about these players! Any questions? Please find me on Twitter/X @TooMuch_Brian.
Feature image by Michael Packard (@CollectingPack on Twitter) / Photography by Brian Rothmuller / Icon Sportswire