Tag: TE

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) greets Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) during Super Bowl LIV Opening Night at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Fantasy football: 2023 TE rankings; Travis Kelce alone at the top

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Not getting Travis Kelce in your fantasy football draft comes with permission to wait for the right tight end.

We’re ready to endorse a slight reach for Mark Andrews given his consistent production for the Ravens, and we might be able to buy into your affinity for George Kittle despite a string of injuries.

But waiting stands as the more likely strategy for a strong return than reaching with fingers crossed that this is the year T.J. Hockenson gets it done.

Here are our top 15 fantasy tight ends for the 2023 season:

1. Travis Kelce, Chiefs

A seventh consecutive 1,000-yard season came in a season in which Kelce had 152 targets. The Chiefs continue to feed Kelce in the red zone and scheme to spring him for big plays. Do it, and don’t look back.

2. Mark Andrews, Ravens

Andrews likely won’t put up another 100-reception season as he did in 2021 now that Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers are on the scene, but his targets aren’t likely to decrease as much as some anticipate.

3. George Kittle, 49ers

Kittle was on the receiving end of seven of QB Brock Purdy’s 13 touchdown passes during the regular season and the only reason to doubt that connection will thrive again is injury woes for both players.

4. Dallas Goedert, Eagles

With Miles Sanders gone, Goedert healthy and teams consistently shading help toward A.J. Brown, Goedert has breakout potential as Jalen Hurts’ security blanket.

5. Darren Waller, Giants

Many moons ago — ok, 2020 — Waller had 107 receptions for 1,196 yards and nine TDs with the Raiders. We’re betting he’ll be a threat for the Giants, who want to bring balance to a run-heavy offense.

6. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings

Traded from the Lions, Hockenson amassed 60 receptions on 86 targets while racking up 519 yards in 10 games with the Vikings last season. It wouldn’t be shocking for Minnesota to increase its percentage of play calls higher than 64.4 percent passes last season.

7. Evan Engram, Jaguars

The third-most targeted pass-catcher on the roster last season, Engram might see his total target share drop but the Jaguars should continue to look his way in the red zone.

8. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers

Too much is asked of Freirmuth to expect 100-yard games every week, but he’ll be one of the primary options when the Steelers get inside the 20.

9. David Njoku, Browns

Njoku had 164 yards and two scores on 17 catches in five games with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. If he gets Watson for 17 games this season, 50-600-7 isn’t a reach.

10. Kyle Pitts, Falcons

Pitts returns from a season-ending knee injury with a mixed bag of results. That includes 68 catches and some signs of a breakout during his 2021 rookie season. If he puts it all together, he has Kelce-type production potential.

11. Cole Kmet, Bears

12. Dalton Kincaid, Bills

13. Dalton Schultz, Texans

14. Greg Dulcich, Broncos

15. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Titans

16. Tyler Higbee, Rams

17. Dawson Knox, Bills

18. Juwan Johnson, Saints

19. Gerald Everett, Chargers

20. Irv Smith, Bengals

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Eric Wilson (58) attempts to punch the ball from quarterback Taysom Hill (7) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Saints’ Taysom Hill shifts to tight end, former QB no fan of move

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Versatile New Orleans Saints’ offensive weapon Taysom Hill is done at quarterback for now, shifting to tight end on a regular basis under new head coach Dennis Allen.

Allen said Hill can be “one of the best players in the league” as a movement tight end or H-back in the New Orleans offense.

The system has undergone a revamp of sorts with Sean Payton retired, but Allen wants to implement wrinkles that feature Hill in new and evolving ways.

“That’s the nature of the NFL. This isn’t necessarily what I want, it’s what’s best for the team and I’m good with that,” Hill said.

The Saints are bringing Hill along slowly due to a Lisfranc injury in 2021 and a rib injury three days into training camp.

Hill, 31, played quarterback, wide receiver and running back during Payton’s days calling plays. He’s listed as the co-No. 1 tight end with Adam Trautman on the team’s first preseason depth chart. Hill said he wasn’t sure if he’d still get his number called for special teams duty.

“I’m still very raw in a lot of this stuff, but it’s nice to get some exposure,” he said.

The quarterback spot is being manned by Jameis Winston to start the 2022 season. Hill said he wouldn’t say no if he had his name on the quarterback depth chart or was asked to stay in those position meetings as an extra.

“We’ve got a structure of what we’ve been doing in the past,” he said. “I think we’ll just continue to build on that. “I don’t think what I have been doing is going to change, it’s just expanding that role. … They’re trying to give me the best opportunity to be successful.”

–Field Level Media

NFL Week 6 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

NFL Week 7 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

Posted on | by Martin Chandler

We almost got to see a day full of NFC North vs AFC East matchups. The Patriots defeated the Bears in game that came down to a few feet on a final play. The Vikings dismantled the Jets, and the Lions beat Miami by 11. Green Bay had their long needed bye week, and Buffalo was trounced by the Colts 37-5 (a score that had never happened before). The NFC North won the day 2-1, pushing the Bears from 1st to 4th in a matter of a few hours. The NFC North is a certainly one of the closest divisions, with all four teams sitting at 3 or 4 wins.

Notable Performances

  • Patrick Mahomes tossed 358 yards and 4 touchdowns
  • Eli Manning and Matt Ryan combined for 778 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • Michael Roberts and TY Hilton both caught 2 touchdowns
  • Todd Gurley and Latavius Murray both rushed for 60+ yards and 2 touchdowns
  • 13 Players with 100+ receiving yards

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NFL Week 4 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

NFL Week 4 Stat Recap Table: QB, RB and WR

Posted on | by Martin Chandler

It would appear that the Fitzmagic is gone. Following a dismal first-half performance in Chicago, he was replaced by Jameis Winston. While neither quarterback was able to get much going, Winston will be the starter following Tampa Bay’s bye week. On the other side of the field, Mitchell Trubisky had the game of his life, tossing for 6 touchdowns and 354 yards. On Thursday night, Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins combined for just under 900 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. The receivers also had a field day, with Cooper Kupp recording 2 Touchdowns on 162 yards, and Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen both having strong performances for the Vikings.

Notable performances:

  • Jared Goff, Andrew Luck, Derek Carr, Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan all toss for 400+ yards
  • 23 players recorded 100+ receiving yards
  • Alvin Kamara rushes for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns
  • Nick Chubb and Mike Davis rush for 100+ yards and score 2 touchdowns
  • Jared Cook caught for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns

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