NFL Player News

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.

Ertz was held to four receptions (five targets) for nine yards in Sunday's 25-20 win over San Francisco.

Ertz was unable to shake free against the 49ers' talented pass-coverage linebackers, resulting in one of the worst fantasy lines of his career. The four receptions salvaged what would have been a complete dud for those in PPR formats. The loss of fellow tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) may end up hurting Ertz more than helping, as defenses can key in on the Eagles' top receiving threat with little to no help offered on the outside. Next week's opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, also boast an athletic middle linebacker in Devin Bush, so fantasy managers who roster Ertz are hoping he can break free more often than he did this Sunday.

Kittle hauled in all 15 of his targets for 183 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 25-20 loss to the Eagles.

Kittle was sidelined for two weeks after spraining his knee in a season-opening loss to the Cardinals. The 49ers did not place any limitations on the star tight end in his first game back, allowing him to rack up career highs in receptions and yards. Kittle also chipped in eight yards on an end-around, his second rushing attempt in as many games this season. Any designed runs are just gravy on top of elite receiving production. The 26-year-old remained the focal point of the passing attack even after fellow Iowa product C.J. Beathard took over in the second half, so Kittle remains a strong play whether Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle), Nick Mullens or Beathard starts against the Dolphins on Sunday.