Who Should I Start? Ben Sinnott or Zach Heins

Wednesday, December 24, 10:32 AM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott has recorded one catch in three straight games, totalling 49 yards on four targets. The second-year tight end posted season highs in snaps and routes in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, playing 66.7% of the snaps with a 56% route share. He could continue to see more opportunities as a receiver moving forward with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season. John Bates played more in the first game without Ertz in Week 15, but that usage flipped in Week 16, with Sinnott playing more snaps and running more routes. The floor is still low for the Kansas State product, but he remains an intriguing player to monitor in Thursday's Christmas Day matchup against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass all season, and with Sinnott's opportunities on the rise, he profiles as a deep-league dart throw as a TE2 in Week 17.

Thursday, July 11, 4:37 PM

Former South Dakota State University tight end Zach Heins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after being unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a slow start to his collegiate career, Heins caught 56 passes for 757 yards and 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons. With the Chargers, he's in one of the weaker tight end rooms in the NFL, and Daniel Popper of the Athletic believes he has a shot to make the 53-man roster following training camp. "Heins, out of South Dakota State, is over 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds. He projects as a capable inline blocker. The Chargers have been very clear about wanting to build a physical and imposing running game," Popper wrote. "To do that consistently, they need run blockers at tight end. They signed an elite run blocker in free agency in Will Dissly. But I think they need more run-blocking behind Dissly." It sounds like Heins won't be much of a pass-catcher if he makes the roster, but he should still be on the fantasy radar in ultra-deep leagues if he's active in Week 1. The Chargers could opt to carry four tight ends on game day, so he'll need to beat out one of Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham Jr., or Stone Smartt.