NFL Player News

Rader caught two of three targets for eight yards during the 2021 regular season.

Even though Eric Ebron (knee) missed nine games in 2021, Rader saw minimal playing time while appearing in just six games. He's made just seven appearances across his first two professional seasons and seems unlikely to have a massive uptick in production next year.

Firkser recorded four receptions on four targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-25 win over the Texans.

Firkser maintained an increased role in the Titans' passing attack, as he racked up at least three targets for the second consecutive game. He took advantage of his opportunities and opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown catch midway through the second quarter. Firkser also made a number of big plays, tallying receptions that went for 24 and 17 yards. After a slow start to the campaign, Firkser has closed the season with at least three catches in three of his last five games while also scoring twice in that span.

Gentry secured four of five targets for 39 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Ravens.

Gentry matched his highest totals of the year in targets, catches and yards during Sunday's regular-season finale as the Steelers managed to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The 25-year-old had inconsistent results in 2021 while operating mainly as a depth tight end, and he caught 19 of 25 targets for 167 yards across 17 appearances. The 2019 fifth-rounder will likely have the chance to enter the 2022 campaign as the Steelers' secondary option at tight end if Eric Ebron (knee) leaves in free agency, but he'll need to have more consistent production in the passing game if he hopes to become fantasy relevant.

Freiermuth brought in six of nine targets for 53 yards in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Ravens.

Freiermuth compiled 15 targets across the final two games of the regular season, but he recorded just 75 yards during that time and failed to reach the end zone. He was on the field for 66 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in Week 18 and led the team in receiving yards. The rookie established himself as Pittsburgh's top tight end during his first professional season, and he caught 60 of 79 targets for 497 yards and seven touchdowns across 16 appearances. Fellow tight end Eric Ebron (knee) is slated to become a free agent during the offseason, so Freiermuth should further solidify his spot as the team's No. 1 tight end.

Waller (knee) had two receptions (nine targets) for 22 yards in Sunday's 35-32 win over the Chargers.

Waller was able to return from a five-game layoff and help the Raiders clinch an unlikely playoff berth. The athletic tight end was understandably rusty and likely did not play at full strength. It was a disappointing season for Waller overall, as injuries and some poor outings resulted in 55 receptions, 665 yards and just two touchdowns over 11 contests. There were no reports of the 28-year-old suffering any setbacks to his balky knee, but we will have to wait for practice reports to confirm his availability for next week's wild-card round against the Bengals. Cincinnati did allow the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends, so Waller could make for a sneaky DFS option if his price is suppressed by Week 18's fizzling performance.

Henry caught five of six targets for 86 yards in Sunday's 33-24 loss to the Dolphins.

The tight end led the Patriots in catches and receiving yards, but it was the team's backfield that accounted for all three of its TDs. Henry finishes the regular season with 55 catches on 81 targets for a career-high 689 yards and nine touchdowns, and he figures to be Mac Jones' most reliable option in Saturday's wild-card round clash with the Bills.

Knox caught three of five targets for 49 yards in Sunday's 27-10 win over the Jets.

The tight end matched his yardage total from the prior three games combined, closing out the regular season with a solid performance. Knox set career highs across the board in 2021 with 49 catches on 71 targets for 587 yards and nine TDs through 15 games, and he should be a reliable secondary target for Josh Allen on Saturday as the Bills host the Patriots in the wild-card round.

Kittle had five receptions (seven targets) for just 10 yards in Sunday's 27-24 overtime win over the Rams.

Kittle finished below 30 yards receiving for the third consecutive week, although the five receptions (for those in PPR formats) was his highest since Week 15. It seems like the 49ers let one of their best offensive weapons simply fade in the game plan at various points this season, much to the chagrin of the star tight end's fantasy managers. Kittle still finished the regular season with 71 receptions, 910 yards and six touchdowns over 14 healthy games, which still falls in the elite category despite him being underutilized at times. The 49ers will face a stiff test against the Cowboys in the first round of the playoffs, and it would behoove them to find a way to get one of their two top playmakers involved as a receiver.

Higbee caught six of eight targets for 55 yards and two scores in Sunday's 27-24 loss to San Francisco.

Higbee appeared to sustain a painful injury on the Rams' first drive of the second quarter, but he was able to return just in time to catch a wide-open lob in the back of the end zone. The veteran tight end even feigned an injury before breaking into dance after scoring his first of two touchdowns on the day. It was a strong finish to a decent fantasy campaign, as the 28-year-old finishes with 61 receptions, 560 yards and five scores in 15 games this regular season. Higbee's projections should remain modest in the first round of the playoffs against Arizona next week.

Ertz caught seven passes for 84 yards on 10 targets against Seattle on Sunday.

Ertz was the only Arizona pass catcher who could get anything going Sunday, even in what was a favorable matchup for the Arizona passing game. Despite his unceremonious exit from Philadelphia earlier this year, Ertz clearly has a good bit left in the tank, and even as an in-season pickup he almost immediately became one of the most important parts of the Arizona offense. In his 11 games with Arizona, the tight end caught 56 passes for 574 yards and three touchdowns on 81 targets. He'll likely be a central component of the Arizona offense in their playoff game plan.