Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has been one of the breakout stars at his position in recent weeks. Over his last three games, Gadsden has recorded 19 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns on 22 targets. The 22-year-old appears to be a trusted weapon in Los Angeles, as he's played at least 75% of the team's offensive snaps in three straight weeks. If there's any reason for concern with Gadsden, it's the target competition he faces. The Chargers have three wide receivers in Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston who are all candidates to soak up targets. Still, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert currently leads the NFL in pass attempts (296), so it's possible there's enough target volume to support all four players. Gadsden could continue to emerge as a must-start tight end over the second half of the season.
Oct 27, 2025 10:21 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden caught all five of his targets for 77 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's Week 8 win over the Minnesota Vikings. His touchdown came on an eight-yard pass in the first quarter, and he also delivered an impressive 40-yard reception in the second quarter. Gadsden, a rookie, has quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing breakout tight ends in fantasy football. Over his last three games, the Syracuse product has totaled 19 catches, 309 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. He's averaging 20.3 fantasy points (PPR) since Week 6, which is the second-highest among tight ends during that span, trailing only Trey McBride. The 22-year-old should be treated as a solid TE1 option heading into a favorable Week 9 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Oct 24, 2025 12:21 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden delivered a standout performance in the team's Week 7 loss, with seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on nine targets, earning the TE1 spot for the week. Gadsden recorded the most receiving yards by a rookie tight end in a game since 1985 and saw a season-high in snap share, route rate, and targets. While repeating his career day may be difficult, Gadsden has clearly secured an important role in this pass-heavy offense. The blitz-heavy Minnesota Vikings might favor Gadsden on Thursday, as short-to-intermediate targets will become key check-down options against linebackers in man coverage. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE9. With six teams on bye, Gadsden's usage makes him a solid mid-range TE1 or streaming option this week.
Oct 22, 2025 11:56 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden broke out in Week 7 against the Colts, recording seven catches for 164 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Gadsden's snap count has increased each week this season as he's worked his way into a full-time role at tight end. Over the last two games, he's run 69.2% of routes and caught seven of eight targets for 68 yards in Week 6 before upping that to a season-high 78.7% in Sunday's breakout performance. There's plenty of competition for targets in the Chargers' offense, but Quentin Johnston's return in Week 7 after missing Week 6 with a hamstring injury didn't cut into Gadsden's role, as Johnston had his quietest game of the season with just two catches on six targets for 30 yards. Gadsden is a good option to start on Thursday night against the Vikings.
Oct 22, 2025 8:15 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden shined in the team's 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, catching seven of nine targets for 164 yards and his first career touchdown. The 6-foot-5 former receiver looked explosive, using his size and athleticism to break through the Colts secondary all day. Herbert clearly trusts him, and with 55 pass attempts in the loss, Gadsden made each one of his targets count. The rookie faces a tough Minnesota Vikings defense on a quick turnaround this Thursday, that's top-five against the pass and has only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends all year. But his breakout could earn him a bigger role moving forward, especially if there are any further injuries to Chargers playmakers. With six teams on bye, Gadsden could be a smart streaming option in Week 8.
Oct 20, 2025 6:33 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden exploded in Week 7 against the Colts with seven catches (nine targets) for 164 yards and a touchdown. Gadsden had been working his way into a full-time role at tight end in Los Angeles, and it's all come together over the past two weeks. He's logged a route on 77% of dropbacks in each of those games and should maintain a consistent role in the offense moving forward after a performance like this. The 2025 fifth-round pick was winning at all levels of the field and had an unreal catch and run for 53 yards early in the third quarter. His 164 yards were the most in a game by a rookie tight end since Kyle Pitts in 2021. Gadsden should be the priority waiver add in all formats this week.
Oct 20, 2025 9:55 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden caught seven of his nine targets for 164 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The highlight of his game was a 53-yard catch on the second play of the third quarter, but his 15-yard touchdown was impressive, too. The rookie has broken out recently, catching 14 passes for 232 yards and a touchdown over his last two contests. He is the overall TE1 in PPR leagues over the last two weeks. Although that's a relatively small sample size to assess, Sunday's big game showed that Gadsden's sudden success is no fluke. He should continue to operate as a primary target for Justin Herbert, giving him high-end TE2 appeal with TE1 upside.
Oct 19, 2025 8:52 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden had his best game yet against the Miami Dolphins, catching seven of eight targets for 68 yards and notably running more routes than veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen. Gadsden has been trending upward by out-snapping veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, and now faces an Indianapolis Colts defense that has allowed touchdowns to tight ends in back-to-back weeks. While his usage might decrease slightly with the expected return of wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring), Gadsden has quickly established a genuine role in the offense. He remains a solid stash in most formats, as his weekly volume still carries some risk, making him a less confident starter. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE24. Keep an eye on his usage, especially if more offensive injuries occur.
Oct 17, 2025 6:35 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is coming off the best game of his young career, recording seven catches for 68 yards on eight targets in his team's Week 6 win over the Miami Dolphins. The 22-year-old has now recorded 15 catches for 144 yards on 19 targets across four games so far this season. Perhaps most encouragingly, Gadsden played a season-high 75% of the Chargers' offensive snaps in Week 6. Gadsen's target share could go down in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts with Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston (hamstring) trending towards returning to the field after a one-game absence. Still, Gadsden clearly looks like a player on the rise. In deep leagues, he may be worth stashing as a potential late-season breakout candidate at the tight end position.
Oct 17, 2025 10:57 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden had a breakout game in Week 6, catching seven of eight targets for 68 yards in the team's 29-27 win over the Miami Dolphins. He was second on the team in targets and ran more routes than Keenan Allen (32 vs. 29). Gadsden clearly benefited from wide receiver Quentin Johnston (hamstring) being out and continues to separate himself from veteran tight ends Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin. In Week 7, he will face an Indianapolis Colts team that has allowed touchdowns to tight ends in back-to-back weeks, giving Gadsden a great opportunity to keep building momentum. We recommended stashing Gadsden in deeper leagues these past few weeks, but fantasy managers in all leagues should take note. The rookie is trending up fast and could serve as a high-floor TE2 moving forward.
Oct 13, 2025 6:08 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden faces a Miami Dolphins defense this week that ranks eighth-worst in yards allowed per game to tight ends. Despite this favorable matchup, Gadsden's target share has decreased since his first game, where he drew seven targets, as he only caught his single target for 14 yards last week. While the fifth-round pick adds size and talent, the entire Chargers offense is struggling to find consistency due to offensive line issues and penalties, which in turn affects Gadsden's usage. He will likely need Justin Herbert to have ample time in the pocket to earn a meaningful target share. RotoBaller projects Gadsden as TE30. He should stay on your bench and is only a stash for managers in deep dynasty or keeper leagues.
Oct 10, 2025 6:00 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden experienced a significant drop in his target volume against the New York Giants, catching only two passes on three targets for 16 yards after his seven-target debut. This low output was primarily due to the Chargers' offense struggling to sustain drives. Facing Week 5 against the vulnerable Washington Commanders, Gadsden aims to regain the momentum he showed in his debut two weeks ago. The potential return of Will Dissly (knee), who missed the last game and carries a Questionable status entering this match, adds some uncertainty, but Gadsden's youth and size suggest he will still see playing time. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as TE24. He remains a promising stash because of his size and the trust Justin Herbert has in him, but fantasy owners should consider other options at the position for now.
Oct 3, 2025 6:31 PM EST
Los Angeles rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden played the most offensive snaps (30) at his position in the Week 4 upset loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, with Will Dissly (knee) out for a second straight gam. Still, it led to a disappointing two catches for 16 yards on three targets. Gadsden was on the field plenty, but he was asked to block more to help slow down a strong Giants defensive front in the 21-18 defeat. The 22-year-old fifth-rounder out of Syracuse caught the attention of fantasy managers in deeper leagues when he caught five of seven targets for 46 yards in his NFL debut in the Week 3 win over the Denver Broncos. Gadsden should continue to have a role in L.A.'s passing attack, but in the immediate future, he'll probably be inconsistent for fantasy purposes, especially if Dissly can return and play in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders.
Sep 30, 2025 12:15 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was active for the first time in Week 3 and logged an impressive debut, recording five catches for 46 yards on seven targets. With Chargers tight end Will Dissly (knee) set to miss a second straight game, Gadsden could again see heavy involvement in the passing game in Week 4 against the New York Giants. It's worth noting that Gadsden logged the same amount of snaps (22) as Chargers tight end Tyler Conklin in Week 3, and both were outsnapped by Chargers tight end Tucker Fisk (29). Gadsden's big performance in Week 3 could lead to more playing time, but he's likely to continue splitting reps to at least some degree in Los Angeles. Gadsden should not yet be trusted as a fantasy starter, but he's a player to monitor at the tight end position, particularly in deep leagues.
Sep 27, 2025 12:22 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden could be set for another uptick in playing time this weekend when his team takes on the hosting New York Giants. Gadsden saw the field for the first time in Week 3 after teammate Will Dissly (knee) was deemed inactive with a knee injury. Dissly has yet to participate in practice since last week, so it seems unlikely -- barring a drastic improvement on Friday -- that he'll be available for their meeting with New York. If that's the case, Gadsden will get an opportunity to build off his impressive seven targets on 22 snaps. He'll be tough to trust for fantasy, even if Dissly isn't out there. However, the 22-year-old is already the most targeted player at his position on the team after just one appearance.
Sep 26, 2025 11:13 AM EST
When asked by reporters about heavily targeting tight end Oronde Gadsden in his NFL debut, Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert sang the praises of the rookie. "Same thing he's done since camp, he's made plays and he's picked up the offense really quickly," said Herbert. And he's a guy that you can trust out there...he's very focused, dialed in and doing everything he can to be the best tight end that he can be." It's a glowing review from the star quarterback, and one worth noting, as Gadsden racked up seven targets on just 26% of snaps after teammate Will Dissly (knee) checked out with a knee injury. The Syracuse product certainly looked like he belonged on an NFL field, and could get another chance at increased playing time with Dissly uncertain for this weekend's bout with the hosting New York Giants. He's worth keeping an eye on.
Sep 25, 2025 12:02 PM EST
According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has earned more playing time. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said, "He's going to be in more," when asked about his strong showing in Week 3. During their victory over the Denver Broncos, the fifth-round rookie was given a lead role in the offensive game plan. The right end caught five of his own targets for 46 yards. This was a significant step forward as Gadsden was a healthy scratch in each of the first two games. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should keep a close eye on his status as he could be making a strong case to take over TE1 duties in Los Angeles. Currently, veterans Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly have combined for just four receptions through the opening month.
Sep 24, 2025 4:29 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden finally made his mark in the team's 23-20 last-second win over the Denver Broncos. After being a healthy scratch in the first two games, the fifth-round draft pick out of Syracuse drew seven targets, catching five passes for 46 yards. At 6-foot-5, Gadsden brings size and athleticism that the team has lacked at the position. Starting tight end Will Dissly (knee) is out indefinitely, and Tyler Conklin and Tucker Fisk combined for zero catches on three targets, suggesting Gadsden could carve out a bigger role moving forward. Next up are the New York Giants, who have given up limited passing touchdowns but remain shaky overall in coverage. Gadsden is still behind in the pecking order, but his usage makes him a name to monitor and a deep-league stash.
Sep 22, 2025 1:45 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is now in line to be active for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after veteran Will Dissly (knee) was ruled out. The fifth-round pick out of Syracuse, who had a strong senior year with 73 catches for 934 yards and seven touchdowns, has been a healthy scratch for the first two weeks of the season. With Dissly out, Gadsden could get a chance to flash the potential he showed throughout the preseason. However, managers should be realistic with their expectations as the Chargers' tight ends have a league-low four total targets through two games. While fellow veteran Tyler Conklin should see an uptick in opportunities, Gadsden's playing time and targets are a huge question mark. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Gadsden's utilization throughout the season.
Sep 19, 2025 6:02 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is hoping to be active in the Week 3 divisional tilt this Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos after he was a healthy scratch in the first two weeks in wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. We'd be surprised if the 22-year-old was active this weekend, as he just doesn't appear to be a part of the Bolts' offensive game plan at the position with veterans Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin ahead of him. The converted receiver from Syracuse put up big numbers as a pass-catcher in college, but for now, he'll serve as depth at the position for the 2-0 Chargers. The 6-foot-5, 241-pounder was a fifth-round pick back in April. He likely must improve his blocking to have a shot at being active on game days.
Sep 17, 2025 3:07 PM EST
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
