Who Should I Start? Ben Sinnott or Zach Heins

Wednesday, November 20, 9:30 PM

Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (illness) was a limited participant in their first practice of Week 12. The 22-year-old has been active for every game this season, and while he isn't in danger of missing his first contest just yet, we'll see if he can improve his practice status leading up to the Commanders' home matchup against their division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Fellow tight end Zach Ertz (NIR) was tagged with a DNP, but it's apparently just a day of rest for the veteran. The rookie has seen his snap share dwindle over the previous few weeks, logging his lowest total of the season in last weekend's 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (9%). Still, he's reeled in all three of his targets in 2024 for 18 yards and a touchdown. If Sinnott can't play, Ertz and John Bates will pick up the slack as the only other active tight ends on the roster.

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.