Hesse caught nine of 11 targets for 89 yards across 17 appearances during the 2022 campaign.
Analysis: Hesse operated as the Falcons' No. 1 tight end, even when Kyle Pitts (knee) was healthy, but the former was nearly exclusively utilized as a blocker. The undrafted product out of Iowa will be a free agent this offseason, but given how many offensive snaps (619) he played in 2022, Hesse figures to be a likely candidate to re-sign with Atlanta this offseason.
Jan 11, 2023 12:44 PM EST
Hesse secured his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss versus the Steelers.
Analysis: With Kyle Pitts (knee) out, Hesse (34) operated as the No. 1 tight end again, but MyCole Pruitt (27) and Anthony Firkser (14) also garnered solid roles. All three tight ends caught a pass for a second straight week, but Pruitt secured Marcus Mariota's lone touchdown, while Firkser caught two passes and finished second on the team in receiving yards (24). The trio figures to garner similar roles during the remainder of the regular season, but Atlanta's passing attack remains limited due to Arthur Smith's run-first mindset.
Dec 5, 2022 7:44 AM EST
Hesse caught one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 19-13 loss versus the Commanders.
Analysis: With Kyle Pitts (knee) out, Hesse played 35 offensive snaps, which put him as the top tight end over MyCole Pruitt (32) and Anthony Firkser (22). However, as expected, Hesse wasn't heavily involved in Atlanta's passing attack. MyCole Pruitt will likely emerge as the top pass-catching tight end in Pitts' absence, but Atlanta's passing attack remains limited due to Arthur Smith's run-first mindset.
Nov 28, 2022 9:17 AM EST
Hesse will be among the group of players who are asked to step up in the absence of Kyle Pitts, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Hesse has played over 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps eight times this season, second only to Kyle Pitts (knee) amongst Atlanta's tight ends. However, the former has only caught five of six targets for 50 yards across 11 appearances. Hesse figures to operate as the Falcons' No. 1 tight end in Pitts' absence, but he's unlikely to see a major change in his statistical output, as he mostly operates as a blocker when on the field.
Nov 22, 2022 11:37 AM EST
Hesse hauled in their only target for nine yards during Sunday's 37-34 overtime victory versus Carolina.
Analysis: Hesse played a season-low 43 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps, but he secured his only target for nine yards, marking his first reception since Week 5. Across eight appearances, the second-year tight end has caught five of six targets for 50 yards, which eclipses his 43 receiving yards from his rookie campaign. Regardless, Hesse's primarily role for the Falcons is as a blocker, so expect his receptions to continue being few and far between.
Oct 31, 2022 7:51 AM EST
Hesse caught his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 21-15 defeat against the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Due to his blocking prowess, Hesse continues to garner a major role for Atlanta's offense and played 38 defensive snaps, by far the most among Falcons tight ends. Even when Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was healthy, Hesse was garnering a similar role, but Hesse doesn't have the pass-catching ability that Pitts possesses. Hesse has secured one catch in four of five games this season, totaling just 41 yards.
Oct 10, 2022 8:14 AM EST
Hesse secured his only target for 22 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Browns.
Analysis: Hesse's lone reception came on the team's second offensive possession and set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Patterson. The backup tight end actually out snapped Kyle Pitts 48-34 as Atlanta leaned on its run game in the second half. That trend is unlikely to continue, but it does show the confidence the Falcons have in Hesse as a run blocker. Across four games, Hesse has caught three of four targets for 32 yards while playing over 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps in each contest.
Oct 3, 2022 7:42 AM EST
Hesse caught one of two targets for five yards during Sunday's 27-26 loss to New Orleans.
Analysis: Hesse played 48 offensive snaps, but he failed to make a major statistical impact. As expected, he operated mostly as an in-line tight end, while Kyle Pitts lined up primarily as a wideout. Hesse is expected to continue garnering heavy snap workloads, but it's unlikely to translate to consistent fantasy production.
Sep 12, 2022 8:36 AM EST
Hesse is listed as the No. 2 tight end on the Falcons' unofficial depth chart ahead of Week 1, Scott Bair of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Hesse beat out MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser for the top backup spot behind superstar tight end Kyle Pitts. Hesse, who signed with Atlanta last year as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, appeared in eight games as a rookie and caught five of six targets for 43 yards. He'll likely have an expanded role in Year 3, especially given the other two tight ends on the initial roster -- Pitts and converted quarterback Feleipe Franks -- don't operate in traditional in-line roles.
Sep 7, 2022 9:56 AM EST
Hesse caught one of two targets for one yard and a touchdown during Friday's preseason contest against the Lions.
Analysis: Hesse operated as the top backup tight end behind Kyle Pitts and Anthony Firkser and totaled 27 snaps (22 offensive). His touchdown came in the second quarter and was rookie Desmond Ridder's first touchdown in NFL action. Hesse appeared in eight games for Atlanta last year and caught five of six targets for 43 yards. The undrafted tight end out of Iowa figures to garner a similar role in 2022, but he faces stiff training camp competition from veteran MyCole Pruitt and training-camp darling Feleipe Franks.
Aug 14, 2022 10:32 AM EST
Hesse played 11 offensive snaps but didn't record any counting stats during Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.
Analysis: Hesse out snapped fellow backup tight end Lee Smith 11-to-4, but neither were a factor in the passing game. Hesse finished the 2021 campaign with five catches (six targets) for 43 yards across eight appearances. However, the majority of that production -- three catches for 31 yards -- came in Week 17, when he was filling in for Hayden Hurst -- who was out due to COVID-19 protocols. Hesse is under contract for the 2022 season, while Smith and Hurst are not, so if the Falcons don't add any tight ends during the offseason, Hesse could head into next season as the primary backup to Kyle PItts.
Jan 12, 2022 12:02 PM EST
Hesse was signed to the Falcons' active roster Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official website reports.
Analysis: The tight end was called up from the practice squad in Week 17 against the Bills, making three catches for 31 yards in the loss. Hesse appears to have impressed with his performance, securing a spot on the active roster for the Falcons' season finale against the Saints next weekend. With Hayden Hurst (illness) on the COVID list and Kyle Pitts (hamstring) banged up, the 26-year-old may be in for a substantial role in Week 18.
Jan 4, 2022 3:16 PM EST
Hesse caught all three of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.
Analysis: With Hayden Hurst out due to COVID-19 protocols, Hesse was elevated to the active roster for the first time since Week 13. Star rookie Kyle Pitts also left the game at the start of the second half with a hamstring injury, so with Atlanta's top two tight ends sideliend, Hesse made the most of his opportunity by setting season highs in receptions (three) and yards (31). Pitts' status for Week 18 is uncertain, but Hurst is expected to return, so Hesse's role will likely be diminished. However, Hesse appears to have jumped Lee Smith on the depth chart after the former played 37 offensive snaps and the ladder only played 10.
Jan 3, 2022 11:11 AM EST
Hesse was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: Hesse is in line for his first game action since Week 13. He'll be third on Atlanta's tight-end depth chart if Hayden Hurst is unable to return from the COVID list in time for the tilt against Buffalo.
Jan 1, 2022 4:11 PM EST
The Falcons signed Hesse to their practice squad Wednesday.
Analysis: Hesse was waived by the Falcons after Hayden Hurst (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve. The undrafted free agent out of Iowa has made six appearances for Atlanta this season, catching two of three targets for 12 yards.
Dec 8, 2021 7:06 AM EST
Hesse was waived by Atlanta on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Analysis: Hesse appeared in each of the last four games and secured both of his targets for 12 yards. However, he'll now be let go after Hayden Hurst (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.
Dec 6, 2021 1:45 PM EST
Hesse caught his only target for seven yards during Sunday's 21-14 win over the Jaguars.
Analysis: With Hayden Hurst (ankle) on injured reserve, Hesse has caught one pass in each of his last two games. He was out-snapped by No. 2 tight end Lee Smith 29-to-23 on Sunday, but Smith's strength is in the running game, which should open the door for Hesse in the passing game. Nonetheless, barring a touchdown, Hesse likely remains unplayable in standard formats.
Nov 29, 2021 12:43 PM EST
Hesse was signed to the Falcons' active roster Thursday.
Analysis: The tight end will return to the active roster ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Patriots as Hayden Hurst (ankle) was moved to IR. In three games this season, Hesse has only played 27 snaps on offense, failing to reel in his only target.
Nov 18, 2021 2:13 PM EST
Hesse reverted to the Falcons' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Analysis: Hesse was a gameday elevation for Sunday's blowout loss and played 19 offensive snaps without receiving a target. Hayden Hurst (ankle) and Lee Smith (back) are battling injuries, so Hesse could rejoin the active roster as a depth option at tight end for Thursday's matchup with the Patriots.
Nov 15, 2021 3:28 PM EST
Hesse was elevated from the Falcons' practice squad Saturday in preparation for Sunday's game in Dallas, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Hesse will provide some extra depth at tight end with Lee Smith (back) having been ruled out. Barring an in-game injury to Kyle Pitts or Hayden Hurst, Hesse's role on offense will be somewhere between minimal and nonexistent.
Nov 13, 2021 1:02 PM EST
News powered by
Copyright 2023 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com. Email marketing by StrikeStack.
