NFL Player News

Ruckert caught one of three targets for 12 yards in Sunday's 32-25 win over the Jaguars.

Ruckert was the only Jets tight end to be targeted in the absence of Tyler Conklin (personal), but the Lindenhurst, NY native didn't take advantage of the added opportunities. Ruckert has yet to exceed 17 yards in a game this season, and he won't have much fantasy upside in Week 16 against the Rams, regardless of Conklin's availability.

Hooper caught all three of his targets for 38 yards in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.

Hooper was on the field for 31 of a possible 51 snaps on offense in the contest, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com, while fellow tight end Hunter Henry logged 41 snaps and caught all four of his targets for 25 yards. Though he continues to work in a timeshare with Henry, Hooper has managed to catch three or four passes in each of his last five games, giving him a modest but reliable fantasy floor in deeper/TE-friendly formats.

Likely caught both of his targets for 17 yards in Sunday's win over the Giants.

Likely's usage dropped off Sunday after he drew eight targets in Baltimore's last game. He continues to handle a significant snap share, as he has been on the field for over 50 percent in each of the last three games, but his usage as a receiver is inconsistent. The Ravens play a pivotal home game against the Steelers in Week 16. In Likely's last outing against Pittsburgh in Week 11, he caught four of five targets for 75 yards.

Fant had three receptions on seven targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 30-13 loss to Green Bay.

Fant struggled mightily despite seeing a season-best seven targets in Sunday's lopsided loss. Much of the blame can be placed on backup quarterback Sam Howell's poor play (5-14, 24 yards, INT), who was forced into action early in the second half after Geno Smith (knee) was injured. If the former is asked to start in Week 16, Fant's marginal fantasy value may evaporate completely against the Vikings next Sunday.

Calcaterra recorded one catch on one target for 22 yards in Sunday's 27-13 win over the Steelers.

Calcattera continues to see an uptick in snaps with Dallas Goedert (knee) sidelined. However, he has only four targets across two games as the team's primary tight end while working behind DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown for targets. So long as that duo remains healthy, Calcattera is unlikely to see an uptick in volume, leaving him as an unreliable fantasy contributor.

Kraft gathered in both targets for 34 yards during Sunday's 30-13 win at Seattle.

Kraft did most of his damage on a jump ball that he corralled for a 26-yard gain late in the second quarter, but he didn't see a target after that point, leaving him below 50 receiving yards for the fifth time in the past six games. During that span, he's mustered 15 catches for 179 yards on 21 targets, but he's salvaged two of those performances with TD catches. In an offense that has leaned toward the run most weeks since a Week 10 bye, Kraft must take full advantage of the handful of targets that he may receive, and he'll look to do just that Week 16 against the Saints on Monday Night Football.

Freiermuth recorded three receptions on six targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Eagles.

Freiermuth saw an increase in role with George Pickens (hamstring) sidelined for the second consecutive week, though the Steelers offense never got going. His stat line was modest as a result, with his primary contribution being a nine-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. Freiermuth has now found the end zone in three straight games while tallying at least three receptions in four straight contests.

Henry brought in all four of his targets for 25 yards in Sunday's 30-17 loss to the Cardinals.

Henry finished first on the Patriots in receptions and second in targets Sunday, but he ranked fourth in receiving yards in a collective poor offensive showing by New England. The veteran tight end did set a new career high in receptions (64), and he is just 17 yards shy of his current best of 653 receiving yards set back in 2019. Henry's lack of touchdowns (one) holds him back from being a reliable option in fantasy ahead of next Sunday's tilt against Buffalo.

Smartt pulled in five of six targets for 50 receiving yards while losing a fumble in Sunday's 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay.

Smartt continued to operate as the Chargers' top tight end sans veteran starter Will Dissly (shoulder). The third-year man fell just eight yards short of the team lead in receiving behind Ladd McConkey (5-58-1). Smartt did cough up the first fumble of his career in the lopsided loss, putting a damper on an otherwise fine fantasy showing. With Dissly expected to miss multiple weeks, Smartt could be a bargain at the tight end position in Week 16.

McBride corralled nine of 10 targets for 87 yards in Sunday's 30-17 win over the Patriots.

McBride continued his dominance in between the 20s with another big PPR effort that resulted in no touchdowns. The 24-year-old has shockingly recorded 89 receptions for 938 yards with zero trips to the end zone in 13 starts this season. It will be curious to see if the budding tight end will reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark or score his first touchdown of 2024 first. We could find out the answer when McBride and the Cardinals face the Panthers next Sunday.