Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden displayed his versatility and developed a strong connection with Justin Herbert during the 2025 NFL season. The 22-year-old had 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets. Gadsden was a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers who were able to snipe him off waivers in his rookie season. Entering Wild Card Weekend, Gadsden will face a solid New England Patriots defense. The Patriots' defense allowed the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns and the sixth-fewest rushing yards, while having one of the NFL's mild passing defenses. This could favor the Gadsden and the Chargers' passing attack. If the Chargers have a slow start running the football, they could turn Herbert's arm loose early. Gadsden could see a good number of targets against an average NFL passing defense in his NFL playoff game.
Jan 11, 2026 7:02 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has been inconsistent down the stretch, but he still exceeded expectations as a fifth-round rookie. Gadsden brought in 49 catches (69 targets) for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. The Syracuse product had a historic stretch early in the season once he earned a full-time role in Week 6, posting his most receiving yards ever by a rookie tight end over a four-game span. He also became the first rookie tight end with four straight games of 65 or more receiving yards. Gadsden's production faded down the stretch, as he averaged just two catches (3.3 targets) for 26.2 yards per game with one touchdown over the final six weeks. Gadsden is a risky option for Sunday night's Wild-Card game against the New England Patriots, with New England being a slightly favorable matchup for opposing tight ends, allowing the 11th-most catches per game (5.7) and the 12th-most yards (57.1).
Jan 7, 2026 10:11 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden found the end zone for the first time since Week 8 during Saturday's loss to the Houston Texans. The rookie tight end was able to salvage his fantasy value with a one-yard touchdown. He finished the game with three receptions on six targets for 32 yards and the one score. His value has been inconsistent this season, and it's not going to get any better in Week 18 in the regular-season finale on the road against a tough Denver Broncos defense. The Chargers are expected to rest most of their starters in Week 18, which includes quarterback Justin Herbert. Backup Trey Lance will take over under center, which will be a downgrade for the entire offense. It's unclear how much Gadsden is going to play, and having a backup QB throwing the rock around isn't going to do him any favors. Fantasy managers are better off looking elsewhere for TE help in Week 18.
Dec 29, 2025 9:29 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden saw his involvement crater last week, recording just one catch for seven yards on a season-low 3.5% target share. This drop in usage stems from the Chargers prioritizing extra pass protection for their battered offensive line, leaving non-blocking Gadsden on the sidelines for significant stretches. The Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans offers little hope for a rebound. While Houston is occasionally susceptible to tight end touchdowns, they rank top-10 in yards allowed to the position and lead the league in EPA/Pass. With Gadsden's routes and targets trending sharply downward, he cannot be trusted during the most important week of the fantasy season. He should remain on your bench as a low-end TE2.
Dec 26, 2025 10:08 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden saw his role shrink significantly in the team's 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording just one catch for seven yards while playing only 59% of the snaps and posting a 3.5% target share. This marked his lowest usage since becoming a regular contributor, continuing a troubling post-bye trend in which his snap rate has dipped as the Chargers prioritize pass protection for their depleted offensive line. For the first time since Week 2, veteran Will Dissly out-targeted Gadsden, highlighting the rookie's diminishing involvement. Week 17 brings a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans, who rank among the top pass defenses and top-10 units against tight ends in yards allowed. With declining playing time, reduced targets, and a challenging opponent, Gadsden should not be trusted in fantasy lineups during championship week.
Dec 22, 2025 5:55 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is coming off a productive week in which he led the team with 61 receiving yards on a 19% target share. While his route rate dipped to 54.6% as the team prioritized pass protection, Gadsden functions more like a wide receiver in this offense. That serves him well against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been shredded by perimeter players, even though it has allowed only four touchdowns to tight ends all year. With Quentin Johnston (groin) questionable, Gadsden could see an increase in high-ADOT, downfield targets, as he did earlier in the season. He hasn't scored in six games, but the Cowboys' league-worst EPA/Pass suggests that drought could end this Sunday. RotoBaller projects him as the TE10, making him a solid low-end TE1 or streaming option.
Dec 19, 2025 10:26 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has been a bit of a roller coaster for fantasy managers the past few weeks, scoring five or fewer fantasy points in four of his last five games after splashing onto the scene in Week 6 and looking like a top-five tight end in some fantasy rankings up until his recent cold stretch. However, in Week 15, he bounced back nicely, with four receptions for 61 yards. Quentin Johnston was ruled out in that contest, opening some opportunities for Gadsden in the passing game, especially down the seams and in the middle of the field. In Week 16, he's got the Dallas Cowboys, who rank middle-of-the-pack against opposing tight ends, and the Chargers offense as a whole will look to get right after being fairly down the last handful of games. Justin Herbert's hand injury, which he has been playing through, has also not helped the production of a lot of the receivers. Gadsden profiles as a low-end TE 1 for Week 16.
Dec 19, 2025 10:03 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden recorded four catches (five targets) for 61 yards in the Week 15 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, his most yards in a game since Week 9. Gadsden struggled to produce in the previous four games, totalling just seven receptions for 88 yards on 17 targets as his route participation dipped during that time. The Chargers have shifted to a more run-heavy approach and heavier pass protection with a banged-up offensive line, which has limited the rookie's production of late. The Syracuse product led the Chargers in receiving on Sunday but saw his route share dip to 54.5%, his lowest since he became a full-time starter. However, Gadsden is still involved in the passing game and has upside in a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He is worthy of streamer consideration for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
Dec 16, 2025 10:40 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden led the team in receiving in the team's 16-13 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, with four catches for 61 yards on five targets, posting a 19% target share against a tough defense. However, his route participation dropped to 64%, the first time below 80% since becoming the starter, as the Chargers focused on extra pass protection and a run-heavy approach. Gadsden has now gone four straight games without a red-zone target, limiting his touchdown upside. Week 16 features a matchup against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has struggled significantly against receivers but has only allowed four touchdowns to tight ends all season. Gadsden remains a low-end TE1 or streaming option offering a modest floor but limited scoring upside.
Dec 15, 2025 5:59 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has seen his production seriously limited over the past two weeks, and he caught only one pass for seven yards on four targets in the team's overtime win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. He faces a tough Week 15 matchup against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that ranks in the top five against the tight end position, allowing just three touchdowns all season. Gadsden is dealing with a perfect storm of issues: an injured quarterback in Justin Herbert, the league's worst offensive line, a pass-averse game plan, and an elite defense against his position. Although he is still getting targets (second on the team last week), the quality of those targets has decreased. RotoBaller drops Gadsden to TE24 this week. He has little ceiling and a low floor, so Gadsden should probably stay on your bench this week.
Dec 13, 2025 12:29 AM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden faces a tough Week 14 challenge after the passing offense stalled following Justin Herbert's hand injury, leading to just one catch for 27 yards on two targets last week. Crucially, Gadsden failed to see a red-zone target for the second consecutive game after seeing 10 in the previous five. The matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles is extremely challenging, as their defense ranks among the top three against tight ends, allowing only three touchdowns all season and just nine PPR points per game to the position. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as TE14 this week, especially with Justin Herbert (hand) listed as questionable. While the rookie has shown promise, the combination of the restructured, short-area passing offense and one of the league's toughest tight end defenses means Gadsden should be considered a high-end TE2 this week.
Dec 6, 2025 4:33 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden was being viewed as a league-winner when he was in the midst of a mid-season surge. He came out of nowhere and had four straight performances with 60 receiving yards or more. Since Week 10, though, Gadsden has been basically invisible on the field. During that span, he has six receptions for 81 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown. Another factor to consider is that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) recently underwent surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand. Herbert is hopeful to play against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, but it's unclear how much he will be impacted by the injury. The Chargers have a lot of mouths to feed and could lean on the running game more with rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) on track to make his first appearance since Week 5. Gadsden probably won't offer more than TE2 value in Week 14.
Dec 5, 2025 9:37 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden recorded just one catch for 27 yards on two targets in the team's 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. This was Gadsden's lowest involvement since Week 5, as the Chargers focused almost entirely on the run after Justin Herbert's hand injury early in the game. Gadsden has now gone two straight weeks without a red-zone target as his early-season surge cools off. Week 14 features a tough matchup against a Philadelphia Eagles' defense that ranks top-three against tight ends, allowing only three touchdowns all season and just nine PPR points per game to the position. If Herbert is ruled out, Gadsden's outlook drops even further. He remains a talented rookie with long-term appeal, but Week 14 looks likely to be another quiet game.
Dec 1, 2025 6:29 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden faces a tough challenge in Week 13 after recording just two receptions for 41 yards on five targets against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. Gadsden's production has declined recently, and he didn't have a red-zone target for the first time in five games, likely because quarterback Justin Herbert has had limited time to throw downfield. The matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is particularly tough, as they are a top-five defense against tight ends, allowing only three touchdowns to the position all season. Despite the challenging defense and his decreasing downfield numbers, RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as TE6 this week. His quality targets keep him a strong option, but this matchup pushes him to a low-end TE1 with a potentially limited ceiling.
Nov 28, 2025 6:09 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden ranks as the TE12 in half-PPR fantasy points per game through the first nine games of his NFL career. Gadsden has developed strong chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert and has 37 catches on 49 targets for 507 yards and two touchdowns going into the team's Week 12 bye. However, the 22-year-old hasn't scored since Oct. 19. Gadsden has cooled off a bit since back-to-back weeks of finding the end zone in Weeks 7 and 8, but he's had at least five targets in a game since all the way back in Week 5. The primary concern for Gadsden's fantasy managers going forward is the Chargers' banged-up offensive line, which might give quarterback Justin Herbert very little time to throw the football in the final stretch of the season against some tough opponents. The fifth-rounder could return with a bang in Week 13 against the Raiders, so fantasy managers shouldn't give up hope just yet.
Nov 21, 2025 3:51 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is healthy heading into Week 11 despite suffering a knee contusion last week. Even though he left the game in the third quarter, Gadsden remains one of Justin Herbert's most trusted red-zone options, with 10 targets inside the 20-yard line over the past five games. The matchup this week is excellent, as the Jacksonville Jaguars rank 5th in receptions allowed and are tied for second in touchdowns allowed to tight ends. His combination of size (6'5") and red-zone usage makes Gadsden a reliable play. He is a confident mid-range TE1 with legitimate upside, projected as the TE4 this week.
Nov 14, 2025 6:14 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsen (knee) is not on the team's final injury report on Friday and has been cleared to play in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, according to the team. Gadsden bruised his knee in Sunday night's victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers and never returned, but he ended up avoiding a serious issue and will be available this weekend when the team heads to the East Coast to face the Jags. The 22-year-old should continue to have a key role in L.A.'s passing attack, and he could see even more targets head his way if receiver Quentin Johnston (shin) is limited or out on Sunday. Gadsden has burst onto the scene quickly in his first year in the NFL and is currently the TE12 in half-PPR scoring with 35 catches, 466 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in his first eight NFL games.
Nov 14, 2025 1:23 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden (knee) was able to get through a full practice session on Wednesday. Gadsden was forced to make an early exit during Sunday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He hauled in three of his six targets for 13 yards before exiting due to a knee injury. It appears Gadsden has avoided any significant injuries and is on pace to play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. The injury ruined his fantasy value last weekend, but Gadsden has been a viable option outside of that game.
Nov 12, 2025 8:23 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden (quadriceps) will take part in practice on Wednesday, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Gadsden suffered a bruised quad during Sunday night's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he's been labeled day-to-day this week. Even if the 22-year-old is limited on Wednesday, he's currently on track to be available to play this Sunday in Jacksonville against the Jaguars. If Gadsden ends up being limited this weekend or out altogether, Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin would share TE duties for the Bolts and wouldn't be intriguing streaming options. In his first year in the NFL, Gadsden has quickly become a low-end TE1 option in fantasy football, catching 35 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns on 44 targets. We'll continue to monitor his status closely this week, but as of now, it looks like he'll be active on Sunday.
Nov 12, 2025 3:17 PM EST
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden (quadriceps) is considered "day-to-day" after an MRI exam on Monday revealed a quad bruise, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Gadsden injured his quad in the third quarter of Sunday night's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and never returned with the game already well in hand. The 22-year-old's injury doesn't sound very serious, but fantasy managers will need to keep a close eye on his practice status heading into Sunday's Week 11 tilt on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. If Gadsden isn't cleared to play this weekend, both Will Dissly, who was a healthy scratch on Sunday night, and Tyler Conklin would see additional opportunities in the passing game. Gadsden has quickly emerged in his first NFL season and has been on the low-end TE1 radar in fantasy football, catching 35 passes for 466 yards and two touchdowns in his first eight games.
Nov 10, 2025 3:29 PM EST
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