All articles tagged with #tight end
Week 5 fantasy tight end analysis highlights extreme variance, with Trey McBride identified as the top overall play against Detroit. T.J. Hockenson and Mike Gesicki are key streamers depending on Justin Jefferson's and Ja'Marr Chase's availability, while Dalton Kincaid is advised to be benched due to a sharp drop in usage.
With Dallas Goedert out with an MCL sprain and other tight ends sidelined, the Philadelphia Eagles are signing veteran Zach Ertz to the practice squad to add depth without using a roster spot. Ertz, who turns 36 this fall, is a longtime Eagle and remains among the franchise leaders in receptions and receiving yards, returning after a 2025 ACL tear that ended his season with Washington.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert will miss a few weeks with a sprained MCL, thinning a TE group already short after Eli Stowers and Grant Calcaterra are on IR. He left Week 2 against the Titans; Week 1 vs Commanders he posted 4 catches, 77 yards and 2 TDs. With Johnny Mundt, E.J. Jenkins, and practice squad Joshua Deguara as the healthy options, and Zach Ertz potentially available, Philly must adjust at tight end during his absence.
Travis Kelce surpassed Jason Witten to become the No. 2 all-time tight-end in receiving yards with 13,067 after a 59-yard catch in 2026, leaving only Tony Gonzalez ahead at 15,127.
With Jake Tonges sidelined by a knee injury, the 49ers may add a veteran tight end to fill the gap, with Zach Ertz and former Niner Ross Dwelley as the most plausible options. Ertz, who recently showed he’s still capable after ACL rehab, could ease the return for George Kittle; Dwelley, familiar with the scheme and a Kittle favorite, would provide depth. San Francisco is expected to act quickly if Tonges misses extended time.
Green Bay signed tight end Tucker Kraft to a four-year, $75 million extension (max value $92 million with a $26.5 million signing bonus), keeping him in Green Bay as he returns from an ACL tear to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Kraft has flashed top-tier potential with 113 receptions for 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns over three seasons, and was emerging as a key weapon before his injury.
The Las Vegas Raiders signed tight end Michael Mayer to a four-year, $47.02 million extension ahead of the 2026 season, with $22.5 million guaranteed at signing and up to $30 million in guarantees vesting within six months. The pact includes a $9 million signing bonus and four-year base salaries (2026: $2.5M; 2027: $11M; 2028: $11.735M; 2029: $12.105M) plus about $170,000 per year in roster bonuses. Mayer will start while Brock Bowers recovers from knee surgery, elevating Mayer among the league’s top-paid tight ends.
The Green Bay Packers signed tight end Tucker Kraft to a four-year extension through 2030, with a base of $75 million and up to $92 million including $17 million in bonuses; Kraft’s $26.5 million signing bonus is likely fully guaranteed. The deal balances market value with incentives after Kraft’s ACL tear, and he’s expected to be active with minimal limitations for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Brock Bowers’ 1–2 week absence projection is largely coming from people around him, and on The Pat McAfee Show he noted that players often downplay injuries and a two-week return may not mean full strength, casting doubt on the timeline and his future production. Bowers has knee issues dating to 2025, and with him out Michael Mayer will start in the meantime.
After unveiling their 53-man roster, the Browns face a tight end deficit with Stoll on season-ending IR, Royer on the reserve/non-football illness list, and Njoku departing in free agency. With Harold Fannin Jr., Carsen Ryan, and Blake Whiteheart as the only tight ends, Cleveland could look to Broncos waiver-cut Justin Joly (No. 6 on waiver priority) as a low-cost, move-tight end option in a 12-personnel offense. Joly, praised by draft expert Dane Brugler and noted for his receiving ability and potential inside as a blocker, previously drew Cleveland’s interest in April and could be the answer they need while they sort out the roster and personal situations.</tldr>
Green Bay reshaped its 53-man roster by adding veteran Jonnu Smith and trading for Mark Redman to shore up the tight end group behind Luke Musgrave (who starts the regular season on PUP) and Tucker Kraft; Kaleb Johnson was added at running back as the Jacobs situation lingers, while undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant earned a spot as a sixth receiver and Anthony Campbell unexpectedly stuck at defensive tackle, with more moves expected around waivers, practice squad and a possible third quarterback behind Love and Tyrod Taylor.
The Los Angeles Rams traded tight end Mark Redman to the Green Bay Packers. Redman, undrafted in 2025, spent last season on the Rams’ practice squad and had six receptions for 63 yards in three preseason games. With the Rams having a stacked TE room, he wouldn’t likely make the regular-season roster, so the Packers add needed depth at the position.
Green Bay signs veteran Jonnu Smith to boost the offense, pairing his YAC-heavy game with Jordan Love and the Packers’ 12-personnel look; the move should expand Tucker Kraft’s potential while potentially reducing snaps for Jayden Reed, Josh Whyle and Drake Dabney as Smith takes on a prominent No. 2 tight end role.
Week 3 of NFL preseason yielded several fantasy-relevant signals: Steelers' Roman Wilson appears to lead the Week 1 slot role over Germie Bernard, while Skyler Bell flashed in his Bills debut and could carve out a role in two-receiver sets; Patriots' WR depth is in flux after the Boutte trade, with Williams and Chism pushing for snaps; Chargers' Charlie Kolar looks like their top tight end in multiple formations, boosting his fantasy ceiling; 49ers' Kaelon Black is emerging as the No. 2 back behind Christian McCaffrey, offering late-round handcuff upside; Raiders' Nailor remains a starter but Jeanty’s injury status could affect his role, and a Rams-Dolphins trade move could ripple depth charts. Overall, these usage patterns help identify early-season targets and sleepers for Week 1.
Green Bay signed former Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith to a one-year contract, adding depth at the position after last season’s 38 catches for 222 yards and two touchdowns. With Tucker Kraft likely healthy for Week 1 and Luke Musgrave sidelined, Smith isn’t expected to impact fantasy much but should provide veteran depth behind the Packers’ tight ends.