NFL Player News

Higbee caught two passes for 35 yards during Sunday's 35-23 win over the Chargers.

While the stat line hardly jumps off the page, Higbee once again out-snapped second-year tight end Gerald Everett (77 offensive snaps to 21), and the depth-chart positioning appears locked in for the time being. Unfortunately, there hasn't been a lot of work in the passing game for either tight end. The Rams are averaging 34.0 points per game and leading the NFL in offensive yards with two teams still to play Week 3, so major shakeups are unlikely. Until proven otherwise, it's difficult to turn to Higbee with confidence in any fantasy format.

Graham snared five of seven targets for 45 yards in the Packers' 31-17 loss to the Redskins on Sunday.

Graham was third on the team in receptions and targets, tying Ty Montgomery in the latter category. The veteran tight end has proven to be a reasonably good fit within the Packers offense thus far, parlaying 19 looks into 13 receptions for 148 yards (11.4 YPC). Graham has yet to find the end zone, but given Aaron Rodgers' history with tight-end usage in the red zone and Graham's own nose for the goal line, some touchdowns should be forthcoming. He'll look to break through in a favorable matchup against the Bills in Week 4.

Kittle corralled five of seven passes for 79 yards Sunday. He also caught a two-point conversion in a loss to the Chiefs.

Kittle's targets, receptions and yards led all San Francisco receiving options. The 24-year-old also had a fourth-quarter touchdown called back on an offensive pass interference penalty on Kyle Juszczyk, whose pick allowed Kittle to break free. The 49ers' pass offense is likely to slow down if Jimmy Garoppolo (knee) is indeed done for the season, but Kittle may see the smallest downgrade due to his experience with backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, both from last season (the two started five games together) and when they were teammates in college at Iowa.

Smith hauled in one of his two targets for nine yards Week 3 against Jacksonville.

Smith remained quiet and has totaled only two catches on five targets for 21 yards through three weeks. While he was expected to take on at least part of Delanie Walker's role, that has yet to come to fruition in the early going. Jacksonville presented a difficult matchup as they have one of the best secondaries in the league, but the Titans will have to get more aggressive in the passing game for Smith to emerge.

Hooper hauled in three of his four targets for 24 yards, as the Falcons fell to the Saints in overtime 43-37 on Sunday. He also caught a two-point conversion.

The third-year tight end boasts an outstanding catch rate thus far in 2018 -- 11 receptions on 13 targets, or 84.6 percent -- but his touchdown-dependence is a very real inhibitor to his value. Hooper has produced at least 40 yards receiving just six times in his last 19 regular-season games, with touchdowns in all four of those outings. Next week provides hope for Hooper to realize his fantasy upside, facing a Cincinnati secondary that has allowed 7.7 receptions per game to the tight end position (third-most in the NFL).

Dissly caught just one of three targets for four yards in Sunday's 24-13 win over the Cowboys.

Dissly had been one of the biggest fantasy surprises of 2018, with six receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns through the first two weeks. He was hardly involved Sunday, although Russell Wilson didn't air it out much, attempting just 26 passes. As long as Doug Baldwin (knee) remains out of the lineup, there will be opportunities for other pass catchers to be more involved, but Dissly might have already peaked. If you're using Dissly in Week 4, he'll face the Cardinals on the road.

Thomas caught three of five targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 31-21 win over the Bengals.

Thomas mustered only 10 receiving yards as the starter Week 2, so the rookie tight end's role is slowly growing. He should continue to start while Greg Olsen (foot) sits for at least a few more weeks, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Thomas' role expand a bit after next week's bye.

Goedert reeled in all seven of his targets for 73 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 20-16 win over Indianapolis.

Goedert played a big role in Carson Wentz's comeback, snagging a 13-yard touchdown up the seam during Philly's opening drive. The rookie had been quiet with Nick Foles under center, tallying just one four-yard catch on three targets through two weeks. If this is what the Wentz effect is going to do for Goedert, one would be smart to get acquainted with the South Dakota State product, particularly while the Eagles struggle with a depleted wide receiver corps. He'll next face a Tennessee defense that has yet to take on a tight-end duo quite like Goedert and starter Zach Ertz.

Kelce brought in eight of 10 targets for 114 yards in the Chiefs' 38-27 win over the 49ers on Sunday.

Kelce showed up in a big way for the second straight week, pacing the team in both receptions and receiving yards and eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive contest. The veteran tight end is naturally one of many weapons available to Patrick Mahomes, but he's encouragingly seen no fewer than six targets in any of the first three games. Given the amount of defensive attention likely to be heaped on Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins in the air attack each week, Kelce should continue enjoying plenty of exploitable matchups as the season unfolds. He'll look to stay hot against the Broncos in a Week 4 Monday night battle.

Ertz snagged five of 10 targets for 73 yards during Sunday's 20-16 win over the Colts.

Who did Carson Wentz miss most of all while recovering from ACL surgery? If his attention during the Eagles' first drive was of any indication, it was Ertz. Wentz hit him up the seam for a 17-yard gain for his first completion and went on to connect with the tight end on all three of his targets during the Eagles' opening touchdown drive for a total of 32 yards. With all of the concerns about Philly's depth at receiver, Ertz is the man to key on, considering he's seen double-digit targets every game thus far. With Wentz now back in action, Ertz should see an uptick in downfield production from those looks.