NFL Player News

Gentry secured his lone target for 23 yards during the Steelers' 28-14 win over Cleveland on Sunday.

Gentry had a consistent snap share for most of the 2022 season, but he racked up double-digit receiving yards on just three occasions. Over his 17 appearances, he secured 19 of 23 targets for 132 yards. The 26-year-old is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it's possible he seeks out a team in which he's able to carve out a larger role.

Thomas caught two of three targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 26-6 win over Dallas.

Thomas finishes his age-31 season with one touchdown in 14 games, having caught 39 of 61 targets for 323 yards (8.3 YPR, 5.3 YPT). He came back from last year's ACL tear for Week 1 and then returned from a calf injury after missing three games in October, mostly handling a familiar role as Washington's receiving threat at tight end. Thomas wasn't much of one in 2022, of course, and he's scheduled for a non-guaranteed $6.275 million base salary in 2023, the second season of his three-year extension, per OverTheCap.

Smith gathered in all three targets for 14 yards during Sunday's 29-13 win over Chicago.

It was Smith's first game since suffering a high-ankle sprain in an Oct. 30 win over the Cardinals. He'll work as the second tight end behind T.J. Hockenson, but Sunday's game showed he could have a role in the playoffs. Smith started at tight end with Hockenson when the Vikings opened in a two-tight end set. He won't get many targets, but Smith may get significant snaps.

Hockenson caught his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 29-13 victory versus Chicago.

Hockenson played just 33 snaps on offense, as he and fellow starters were rested in the second half. He'll have a much larger role in this week's home playoff matchup against the Giants.

Heyward secured three of four targets for 45 yards while rushing once for six yards during the Steelers' 28-14 win over the Browns on Sunday.

Heyward was held without any receptions in five of the seven games prior to Sunday's Week 18 matchup, but he logged a season-high three catches against Cleveland. The rookie sixth-rounder didn't have consistent enough volume to become a fantasy asset in 2022, as he secured 12 of 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown while rushing twice for 27 yards across 17 games. However, fellow tight end Zach Gentry is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, so Heyward could take over as the primary backup behind Pat Freiermuth in 2023.

Schultz caught four of nine targets for 33 yards in Sunday's loss to the Commanders.

It was a brutal day for the entire Cowboys offense, but Schultz still was able to scratch out some PPR value and catch multiple passes for the 11th straight game. Heading into a wild-card round clash with the Buccaneers, the tight end will look to match or exceed his production from the teams' Week 1 meeting, when Schultz turned nine targets into seven catches for 62 yards.

Fant caught all four of his targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 19-16 overtime win versus the Rams.

Fant operated as the No. 2 tight end behind Colby Parkinson for a second straight week. He still managed to play 45 offensive snaps (64 percent) and ranked third on the team in targets, but Fant didn't gain more than eight yards on any of his catches. He has the ability to stretch the field with his speed. However, Fant's current usage is concerning for fantasy purposes as the Seahawks head to the playoffs.

Parkinson caught two of three targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 19-16 overtime win over the Rams.

Parkinson's Week 17 usage wasn't a fluke. He operated as the top tight end ahead of Noah Fant for a second straight game Sunday, as Parkinson handled 55 snaps (79 percent) while Fant clocked in at 45 snaps (64 percent). The usage is certainly intriguing, so Parkinson has a chance to be the No. 3 pass catcher behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in Seattle in any given week.

Freiermuth suffered a knee sprain during Sunday's 28-14 win over the Browns, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports.

Freiermuth was forced out of Sunday's season finale with a left knee sprain before recording a catch, but he's at least avoided a worst-case scenario injury. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the tight end has an ACL and MCL sprain, but won't need surgery. What remains to be seen is when Freiermuth will be ready for offseason activities. He racked up 63 catches for 732 and two touchdowns on 98 targets in his second NFL season.

Johnson hauled in his only target for 21 yards during Sunday's 10-7 loss to Carolina.

Johnson logged less than two targets for just the second time in 16 games. The 6-foot-4 tight end saw a massive increase in usage during the 2022 campaign, allowing him to finish with his best season as a pro. The 26-year-old recorded 42 receptions on 65 targets for 508 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns. Johnson first emerged as a big-bodied red-zone target in 2021, but he became one of the Saints' top receivers this year due to the team's rash of injuries at wideout. He accumulated the team's second-most targets and receiving yards behind rookie wide receiver Chris Olave, as well as the third-most receptions behind Olave and Alvin Kamara. Johnson will now enter the 2023 offseason as a restricted free agent, and he'll likely be back to head the depth chart next year.