NFL Player News

Fant had three receptions on seven targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay.

Fant struggled mightily despite seeing a season-best seven targets in Sunday's lopsided loss. Much of the blame can be placed on backup quarterback Sam Howell's poor play (5-14, 24 yards, INT), who was forced into action early in the second half after Geno Smith (knee) was injured. If the former is asked to start in Week 16, Fant's marginal fantasy value may evaporate completely against the Vikings next Sunday.

Calcaterra recorded one catch on one target for 22 yards in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Steelers.

Calcattera continues to see an uptick in snaps with Dallas Goedert (knee) sidelined. However, he has only four targets across two games as the team's primary tight end while working behind DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown for targets. So long as that duo remains healthy, Calcattera is unlikely to see an uptick in volume, leaving him as an unreliable fantasy contributor.

Kraft gathered in both targets for 34 yards during Sunday's 30-13 win at Seattle.

Kraft did most of his damage on a jump ball that he corralled for a 26-yard gain late in the second quarter, but he didn't see a target after that point, leaving him below 50 receiving yards for the fifth time in the past six games. During that span, he's mustered 15 catches for 179 yards on 21 targets, but he's salvaged two of those performances with TD catches. In an offense that has leaned toward the run most weeks since a Week 10 bye, Kraft must take full advantage of the handful of targets that he may receive, and he'll look to do just that Week 16 against the Saints on Monday Night Football.

Freiermuth recorded three receptions on six targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.

Freiermuth saw an increase in role with George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for the second consecutive week, though the Steelers offense never got going. His stat line was modest as a result, with his primary contribution being a nine-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. Freiermuth has now found the end zone in three straight games while tallying at least three receptions in four straight contests.

Henry brought in all four of his targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.

Henry finished first on the Patriots in receptions and second in targets Sunday, but he ranked fourth in receiving yards in a collective poor offensive showing by New England. The veteran tight end did set a new career high in receptions (64), and he is just 17 yards shy of his current best of 653 receiving yards set back in 2019. Henry's lack of touchdowns (one) holds him back from being a reliable option in fantasy ahead of next Sunday's tilt against Buffalo.

Smartt pulled in five of six targets for 50 receiving yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay.

Smartt continued to operate as the Chargers' top tight end sans veteran starter Will Dissly (shoulder). The third-year man fell just eight yards short of the team lead in receiving behind Ladd McConkey (5-58-1). Smartt did cough up the first fumble of his career in the lopsided loss, putting a damper on an otherwise fine fantasy showing. With Dissly expected to miss multiple weeks, Smartt could be a bargain at the tight end position in Week 16.

McBride corralled nine of 10 targets for 87 yards in Sunday's 30-17 win over the Patriots.

McBride continued his dominance in between the 20s with another big PPR effort that resulted in no touchdowns. The 24-year-old has shockingly recorded 89 receptions for 938 yards with zero trips to the end zone in 13 starts this season. It will be curious to see if the budding tight end will reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark or score his first touchdown of 2024 first. We could find out the answer when McBride and the Cardinals face the Panthers next Sunday.

LaPorta recorded seven receptions on 10 targets for 111 yards in Sunday's 48-42 loss to the Bills.

Several of Detroit's primary pass catchers posted inflated stat lines as Jared Goff was forced to take to the air 59 times in negative game script. LaPorta delivered his best yardage total of the season as a result, highlighted by long gains of 31 and 22 yards to record the second 100-yard performance of his career. The Lions aren't likely to be down multiple scores often for the rest of the campaign, making this an outlier performance, though it was positive to see LaPorta finish second on the team in targets.

Akins secured three of four targets for 30 yards in the Browns' 21-7 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.

Akins was a distant second in receptions and receiving yards behind Jerry Jeudy on a day when the Browns were afflicted with mostly ineffective quarterback play. The veteran tight end did do a serviceable job while drawing the start in place of the absent David Njoku (hamstring), but Akins holds only modest fantasy value even if he remains in the top role for a Week 16 road matchup against the Bengals.

Ferguson recorded two receptions on four targets for 23 yards in Sunday's 30-14 win over the Panthers.

Dallas was able to take its foot off the gas in the second half thanks to a multi-score lead, and Cooper Rush attempted nine passes in the final two quarters. That limited volume for all pass catchers with the exception of CeeDee Lamb, and Ferguson saw only four targets -- good for third on the team -- as a result. The game script should look different in a Week 16 showdown with Tampa Bay, giving Ferguson a better chance to produce.