NFL Player News

Schultz caught four of eight targets for 72 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the Browns.

With Dak Prescott forced to air it out every week to try and compensate for the Cowboys' atrocious defense, Schultz is getting plenty of chances to make an impact, hauling in 17 catches on 24 targets for 208 yards and two TDs over the last three weeks. His production isn't likely to be consistent on a week-to-week basis given all the other options at Prescott's disposal, but the tight end still is headed for a breakout season.

Njoku (knee) confirmed via his official Twitter account Monday that he's eligible to be activated for Week 5's matchup against the Colts.

Njoku has spent the last three weeks on injured reserve nursing an MCL sprain, but he appears optimistic to return versus Indianapolis. Despite only playing 23 percent of snaps before injuring his knee Week 1, Njoku hauled in all three of his targets for 51 yards and a score. The 2017 first-round pick's role behind Austin Hooper may not allow him consistent weekly fantasy production, but he'll always retain upside in the red zone. The Browns have yet to officially designate him for activation from IR.

Thomas played 93 percent of offensive snaps in Sunday's 31-17 loss to Baltimore, but he was limited to one catch for eight yards on four targets.

The snap share actually was a season high, though not much of a difference from Week 2 (91 percent) or Week 3 (86 percent). His receiving stats, on the other hand, were season lows across the board, with Thomas falling shy of seven targets and four catches for the first time this year. It does make sense that QB Dwayne Haskins would start to look toward other players, as his connection with Thomas hasn't been especially strong. The tight end has a 46.4 percent catch rate and 3.6 yards per target, ranking dead last in both stats among all qualified pass catchers at his position. Thomas does get a decent matchup Week 5, with Washington playing host to a Rams squad that's given up the 12th-most PPR points to tight ends this season. Granted, that's largely been based on touchdowns (three) and overall volume (9.3 targets per game) rather than yardage efficiency (4.5 YPT).

Manhertz caught his lone target for 17 yards in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals.

Manhertz started at tight end and played nearly 80 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps, topping teammate Ian Thomas' involvement. That extra time allowed Manhertz to make his longest play of the season, but otherwise the veteran stuck to blocking. In contrast, Thomas was targeted five times and scored a touchdown, but his five total receiving yards Sunday again evidenced just how limited the Panthers' tight-end production has been to date.

Thomas caught two of five targets for five yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Cardinals.

Thomas has now managed merely 30 receiving yards through four games, but his touchdown from two yards Sunday at least offered a glimmer of hope. He actually saw fewer snaps Sunday than fellow tight end Chris Manhertz, who finished with one catch for 17 yards. With neither option being particularly productive, Carolina's starting tight-end role hasn't meant much in fantasy terms thus far.

Mundt played 11 offensive snaps and caught his only target for five yards during Sunday's 17-9 win over the Giants.

This is only the sixth career reception for the fourth-year tight end, so fantasy managers should continue to look elsewhere for production at the position. Mundt has carved out a blocking role for the Rams, but he's still playing sparingly with just 22 offensive snaps through four games.

Everett caught his only target for 10 yards and scored a two-yard rushing touchdown during Sunday's 17-9 win over the Giants.

Plus athleticism has always been Everett's calling card, and it wouldn't be surprising to see creative head coach Sean McVay continue finding ways to incorporate him into the offensive attack. Additionally, with Everett in the final year of his rookie contract, the Rams might also want to utilize him more before deciding how to approach his pending free agency. After all, the organization did invest a second-round selection in the South Alabama product in the 2017 draft. For the time being, Everett's fantasy value is probably limited to settings with premium scoring for tight ends.

Bryant caught four of four targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 49-38 win over Dallas.

Bryant's usage has increased each game since the season opener, which is partly due to David Njoku's knee injury. It's also due to the maturity he brings to the position -- the Browns trust the rookie to do his job on each play. Bryant has at least one target and catch in all four games. Cleveland's tight ends had their most productive game Week 4, as Bryant and Austin Hooper combined for nine catches on 11 targets for 71 yards and a touchdown. Until Njoku returns, Bryant remains the top backup to Hooper.

Higbee caught three of four targets for 21 yards during Sunday's 17-9 win over the Giants.

Outside of Higbee's huge Week 2 showing that included three touchdowns, the fifth-year tight end has been held to just eight receptions for 101 yards across his other three games. Those numbers aren't moving the needle, and after a strong five-week stretch (43 receptions for 522 yards and two touchdowns) to conclude the 2019 campaign, his inconsistency to start this year should have fantasy managers concerned about relying on Higbee week in, week out.

Hooper caught five of seven targets for 34 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 49-38 win over the Cowboys.

Hooper had his best day in a Browns uniform, recording season highs in targets and catches while scoring his first touchdown. The Stanford graduate has been on the field more than any Cleveland receiver, so the opportunities are there for him. He has two red-zone targets this season, tying him for the team lead with Kareem Hunt and Odell Beckham. Week 5 brings the Browns back home for a date with the Colts, who have allowed just 11 catches (22 targets) over four games to opponents' tight ends.