Who Should I Start? Brady Russell or Zach Heins

Sunday, August 11, 4:44 AM

Seattle Seahawks tight end Brady Russell was on the receiving end of a 13-yard touchdown pass in Saturday's 16-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The 25-year-old caught a pass just past the line of scrimmage then eluded three would-be tacklers before diving into the end zone. Russell had a total of three receptions on three targets for 25 receiving yards along with the score. The second-year player was signed off the Philadelphia Eagles' practice squad last season and was used mainly as a special teams player, logging only 16 offensive snaps all season. Russell is listed as the fourth tight end on the Seahawks' depth chart and does not pose a threat to Noah Fant's (foot) standing at the top.

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.