Oronde Gadsden
Tight End #86
Oronde Gadsden News
Oronde Gadsden Borderline TE2 in Week 5 vs. Broncos
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden could see more targets in his Week 5 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Chargers officially ruled out wideout Quentin Johnston (chest), while wideout Ladd McConkey (foot) and tight end Charlie Kolar (forearm) are questionable for the contest. If McConkey and Kolar can't suit up, Gadsden would likely become Justin Herbert's No. 2 target in the passing game. Gadsden enters Week 5 as RotoBaller's PPR TE26 in an intriguing matchup. The Broncos defense will be without its top 2 cornerbacks, Patrick Surtain II and Riley Moss, and has allowed the 13th-most passing yards and the 14th-most passing touchdowns. However, Gadsden should still be viewed as a borderline TE2 in Week 5. Gadsden has had chances to assert himself in the Chargers' passing game while teammates battled injuries, but he hasn't been able to capitalize on the opportunity. He should remain out of lineups heading into Week 5.
Oct 10, 2026 8:37 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Not a Tight End Streaming Option vs. Seahawks
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden wasn't able to take control of the Chargers tight end room after hauling in zero catches in Week 3. The 23-year-old was the team's TE1 with Charlie Kolar (forearm) and David Njoku (leg) out due to injuries. However, Gadsden will have another opportunity to establish himself as the lead tight end with Kolar and Njoku ruled out for Sunday. Gadsden enters Week 4 as RotoBaller's PPR TE28 in a difficult matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks defense has allowed the fewest receiving yards, receiving yards per reception, receiving plays over 20-plus yards, and receiving yards over 40 yards. Gadsden will face an uphill battle this week to be a fantasy-relevant tight end in all league formats. He should remain out of fantasy lineups in Week 4.
Oct 3, 2026 5:40 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Still a Worthwhile Streamer Despite Recent Dud
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden is coming off an ugly performance in which he caught zero passes on three targets, but he's still one of the more appealing tight ends on the waiver wire ahead of Week 4. Gadsden took on a larger role this past week (57% snap share) after David Njoku (fibula) was placed on injured reserve. Barring anything unexpected, Njoku's injury will leave Gadsden in the No. 1 tight end role through Week 6, at the earliest. Los Angeles' offense hasn't looked amazing lately, but the 23-year-old is still one of the top targets in the Chargers' offense, so he should have some low-end fantasy appeal. Plus, we saw what he could do as Justin Herbert's primary tight end last year, when he caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns. Gadsden is a solid waiver wire target in 12+ team leagues.
Sep 28, 2026 9:47 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden Expects to See More Work in Week 3 vs. Bills
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden enters Week 3 as the team's TE1. The Chargers will be without Charlie Kolar (forearm) and David Njoku (leg) in Buffalo on Sunday. Gadsden had a promising rookie season, catching 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns. The 23-year-old is RotoBaller's PPR TE16 in an interesting matchup against the Bills defense. They have allowed the 5th-most passing yards and rank near the bottom of the league in EPA. The Bills defense is still adjusting to defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard while defending pass-heavy offenses and trying to keep up with the Bills' high-powered offense. Gadsden is a viable tight end option for managers in a barren tight end landscape heading into Week 3.
Sep 26, 2026 8:15 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden "Ready to Step Up"
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that tight end Oronde Gadsden "had a very good week" and is "ready to step up" in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday with both Charlie Kolar (forearm) and David Njoku (leg) out, according to Alex Insdorf. Harbaugh added that he thinks Gadsden has improved as a blocker. The 23-year-old should have been one of the more intriguing tight end pickups off the waiver wire after both Kolar and Njoku were injured in the team's Week 2 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Njoku is on Injured Reserve, and Kolar could miss several weeks with his injury. Gadsden only had two catches for 18 yards on Sunday against the Raiders, but he did manage to find the end zone for his first touchdown of the 2026 season. The Bills have been vulnerable against tight ends early this season, so this could be the perfect storm for Gadsden to be an excellent streamer at the TE position. As a rookie last year, Gadsden caught 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 regular-season games.
Sep 25, 2026 2:17 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden Now the Chargers' Clear TE1
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had a promising first year in the NFL in 2025, catching 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games played, but his fantasy stock tumbled going into 2026 when the Chargers added competition at the position in Charlie Kolar (forearm) and David Njoku (leg). In the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Gadsden caught both of his targets for 32 yards, and he had just two catches for 18 yards in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, but he managed to find the end zone for the first time this year. The key for Gadsden going forward is that both Kolar and Njoku suffered injuries on Sunday that are expected to knock them out for multiple weeks -- Njoku is on Injured Reserve, and Kolar has already been ruled out for Week 3 at the Buffalo Bills. With the Chargers in need of reliable pass-catchers during a very difficult opening stretch of games in 2026, Gadsden could step up with both Kolar and Njoku out, and he will be an interesting TE2 streamer this weekend in Buffalo. He is only rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues.
Sep 24, 2026 8:07 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Gains Waiver Appeal After Tight End Injuries
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has become a much more interesting Week 3 waiver option after injuries thinned out the position Sunday. David Njoku was carted off with a knee injury and did not return, while Charlie Kolar later left with a forearm injury and was also unable to come back. Gadsden caught both of his targets for 18 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown from Justin Herbert. The volume was still modest, so this is not a must-add situation in every league yet. The opportunity could change quickly, though. Gadsden caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last season, and he could move into a much larger role if Njoku or Kolar misses time. Through two games, he has caught all four of his targets for 50 yards and a score. Gadsden is a strong add in 12-team leagues, with his Week 3 value depending heavily on the injury updates ahead of him.
Sep 21, 2026 7:46 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Finds the End Zone in Week 2 Loss
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden caught his two targets for 18 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's devastating 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The 23-year-old salvages his Week 2 outing by catching Justin Herbert's lone passing touchdown. However, Gadsden could see a slight bump in his fantasy value if David Njoku (knee) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) miss time. Both tight ends left the game early with their injuries and did not return. The severity of the injuries for Njoku and Kolar is something to monitor over the next few days. Through two games, Gadsden has caught all four of his targets for 50 yards and one touchdown. Gadsden has had a slow start to his sophomore campaign due to limited targets in a crowded offense. Gadsden and the Chargers will head on the road for the first time this season to face the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.
Sep 20, 2026 7:49 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden II Expected to See More Work
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II should see more work in Week 2 after barely being part of the offense in the opener. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel told Kris Rhim that Gadsden "isn't doing anything wrong" and added, "I'd expect to see more of him." Gadsden played 10 offensive snaps against Arizona but still caught both of his targets for 32 yards, including a 26-yard gain. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar each played 30 offensive snaps, so there is still plenty standing between Gadsden and a full-time role. The encouraging part is that McDaniel doesn't sound like the small Week 1 workload was punishment for poor play. Gadsden caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, and Los Angeles clearly still has use for that receiving ability. He remains more of a deeper-league option for now, but Thursday's comments make the Week 2 snap count worth watching closely.
Sep 17, 2026 11:48 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden an Impact Playmaker with Streaming Potential
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had a relatively quiet Week 1 showing, but the track record from his rookie season in 2025 suggests that he could be a key waiver-wire target for managers this year. Gadsden ranked as the TE15 in PPR leagues with 49 catches, 664 yards, and three touchdowns last year, and most of that production came in Week 6 or later. However, there's a new obstacle in his path this year, and it's the depth chart. Gadsden fell to second in the tight end pecking order after the Chargers signed David Njoku in free agency. Njoku played a modest 55% of snaps in Week 1, but Gadsden's snap share was even lower at just 18%. The 23-year-old needs one domino to fall in his favor, and there's a chance that's the injury to Ladd McConkey (chest). The veteran wide receiver went down last week, leading to a void in the passing game. Gadsden has a great opportunity to step up with more volume in Week 2, ranking as a TE2 for fantasy purposes. He's definitely a riskier target, but the Syracuse product is a proven player who knows what it takes to produce at the NFL level. There's some deep-league streamer appeal here for Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders, especially if McConkey doesn't end up playing.
Sep 15, 2026 7:29 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden Still Has a Path to Fantasy Value
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is already cautioning fantasy managers against reading too much into how his tight ends are used in Week 1. McDaniel said Thursday that it "might not be the smartest move" to make fantasy decisions after one game, adding that the group is going to grow and the Chargers will be able to do plenty with them. Oronde Gadsden is the name fantasy managers will be watching most closely. He caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie, but Los Angeles added both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku during the offseason. The Chargers' first unofficial depth chart has Kolar or Njoku starting, with Gadsden behind them. Kolar was brought in largely for what he can add as a blocker, while Njoku gives Justin Herbert another proven receiving option. That makes this a crowded room, but McDaniel's comments are another reason not to make a quick call on Gadsden based solely on Sunday's opener against Arizona. His rookie production is still worth betting on while the Chargers figure out how all three tight ends fit.
Sep 10, 2026 11:12 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Falling Down Draft Boards Due to Added Competition
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden impressed in 2025, finishing as the TE17 and hauling in 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards (13.6 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He was the most explosive tight end in football with a 131.3 explosive rating, and while he was very efficient and productive, his blocking limitations and the addition of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar are making it more difficult for him to find playing time or to increase his snap share. Additionally, in most of the Chargers' preseason games, Gadsden often played with the backups. Gadsden may be an explosive option in specific passing situations, but it's possible we'll see his 61.4 percent snap share, which was 28th in the NFL last season, continue to decline with the additional tight ends in the room. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as the TE31 on the season, making him a clear fade in all one-tight-end formats.
Sep 1, 2026 6:24 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden II Continues to See His Fantasy Stock Drop in Preseason Loss
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II had two catches for 24 yards on three targets in his team's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francsicio 49ers Thursday night. Most notably, Gadsden did not see a snap with the first-team unit, as Charlie Kolar and David Njoku took all of those snaps. Gadsden only played with the backups and caught a target from Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei. The 23-year-old produced as a solid fantasy option as a rookie, which had managers excited to see him in his sophomore campaign. However, with training camp reports and his preseason usage, all of the excitement has come to a screeching halt. With Gadsden playing well into the second half with the No. 3 quarterback, it will be interesting to see how much he plays in the regular season.
Aug 22, 2026 9:19 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden II Gets Limited Action in Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II had two catches for 21 yards on three targets in Thursday's 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans in their preseason opener. Gadsden's lone drop came in the end zone when officials ruled him out of bounds before he completed the catch. The 23-year-old played three offensive drives during the game, but more importantly, he was the only tight end in the potential rotation to play. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar were both held out of the game as the Chargers opted to rest most of their key starters and veterans. This could be the first sign of how the team values the tight end group and how they plan to utilize each of them this season. It will be worth keeping tabs on how much each tight end in that three-man rotation plays during the preseason.
Aug 14, 2026 11:18 AM EST
Oronde Gadsden Listed as Co-Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
The Los Angeles Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart on Sunday ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans, and tight end Oronde Gadsden is listed as a co-starter along with both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. The "or" designation is used throughout the lineup, including at running back where both Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are listed in the primary backup spot, but with the highest statistical upside of the tight end group, fantasy managers are likely looking for more signs of encouragement surrounding Gadsden after he spent much of the early offseason as a popular breakout candidate. The second-year tight end was candid in recent remarks to the media about needing to improve as a blocker, and with Kolar and Njoku both excelling in that area, Gadsden could be hard-pressed to make consistent contributions in 2026, and he enters the year as RotoBaller's TE20.
Aug 10, 2026 6:38 AM EST
Chargers Won't Name Oronde Gadsden the Starter
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden was expected to be the starter heading into this season. According to Alex Insdorf, Gadsden might not have an easy path to the starting gig. On Saturday, Chargers head coach John Harbaugh said the team has four capable options at tight end, and refused to name a starter. The Chargers did bring in Charlie Kolar and David Njoku as competition for Gadsden. His role will likely be reduced with more capable bodies at the tight end spot now. Gadsden posted a strong rookie campaign and should remain an important part of the offense. Although it appears Harbaugh isn't ready to name anyone the starter quite yet.
Aug 8, 2026 6:34 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden II to be Phased Out of Chargers Offense
After a standout rookie season in 2025, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II has been pushed to the side by the team's recent additions to the tight end room. Gadsden hauled in 49 of 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games last season as a rookie. However, the team added former Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar to a three-year, $24.3 million contract and former Pro-Bowler David Njoku as well. In training camp, footage has shown Gadsden catching passes from fourth-string quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, while Kolar and Njoku work with the first team. If this trend continues, fantasy managers will need to pump the brakes on a second-year breakout for the former Syracuse tight end.
Jul 31, 2026 7:41 PM EST
Oronde Gadsden an Ideal Late-Round Swing for Managers Waiting at Tight End
For a four-week stretch early into his rookie season, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had the appearance of the league's next young superstar. From Weeks 6 through 9, the 2025 fifth-round pick caught 24 of 27 targets for 377 yards and two scores, essentially a full-season pace of 100-1,600-8 that, unsurprisingly, made him the fantasy TE1 over that stretch. While he was unable to maintain that torrid pace the rest of the way, catching only 17 passes for 211 yards and one score over his final eight games, there is plenty to be excited about heading into his second season, especially now that he finds himself in Mike McDaniel's quick-game-heavy offense. While the free agent acquisitions of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar add a level of competition that was not present in 2025, Gadsden is still the safest bet to lead the position group in targets, and with veteran receiver Keenan Allen no longer under contract, he could step into an important role as one of the team's primary chain-movers. Currently ranked as RotoBaller's TE16, Gadsden is the exact type of high-upside swing that redraft managers should be looking to target in the closing rounds of drafts if they missed out or were unwilling to spend up on the elite tier of the position.
Jul 16, 2026 6:02 AM EST
Dynasty Managers May Have an Opportunity to Buy Low on Oronde Gadsden II
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II emerged as a surprisingly important piece of his team's offense as a rookie. Across 15 games (seven starts), the 22-year-old hauled in 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets. With an average of 13.6 yards per reception, Gadsden II showed off an ability to stretch the field that is rare at the tight end position. Entering 2026, Gadsden II's playing time outlook has some questions following the Chargers' offseason acquisitions of veteran tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. However, Njoku is only signed through 2026, and Kolar profiles more as a blocking tight end. As long as Gadsden II continues to progress in his second NFL season, he profiles as the long-term answer for the Chargers at the tight end position. In dynasty leagues where Gadsden II's value may have dipped after Los Angeles' offseason moves, managers should take advantage of the opportunity to buy low.
Jun 23, 2026 8:59 AM EST
Can Talent Overcome Situation for Oronde Gadsden II?
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden II had an eye-opening mid-season stretch as a rookie in which he caught 24 passes for 377 yards across four games. While he was unable to maintain that torrid pace down the stretch, he was one of the most popular breakout candidates of the early offseason. Since then, the team has added Charlie Kolar and David Njoku in free agency, and with Gadsden's blocking ability viewed as the primary reason he couldn't stay on the field as a rookie, the increased competition in that regard could make it difficult for him to find a full-time role. Even with the league trending toward heavier personnel usage, new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has not strictly relied on tight ends to get bigger bodies on the field. Only the 49ers ran a higher percentage of plays with a fullback on the field than McDaniel's 2025 Dolphins, and with former Pro Bowler Alec Ingold following his coach West, there's a strong indication that tendency could hold up in Los Angeles. Gadsden has obvious talents that McDaniel will look to take advantage of, but if he's viewed as more of a gadget piece than an every-down mainstay in the Chargers' new offense, it could be difficult for him to live up to his billing as RotoBaller's dynasty TE10.
May 30, 2026 8:36 AM EST
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