Who Should I Start? Durham Smythe or Brayden Willis

Thursday, March 6, 2:33 PM

The Chicago Bears signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The former fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame has played his entire seven-year career with Miami but was released this offseason. Overall, the 28-year-old has hauled in 132 receptions for 1,228 yards and three touchdowns in 112 career games. Smythe is best utilized as a blocker, and with Chicago trading for former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney, it's evident they want to improve quickly in run and pass blocking. Smythe could help Chicago's offense in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar.

Saturday, December 27, 6:41 PM

San Francisco 49ers tight end Brayden Willis has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The elevation of Willis is not a good sign for fellow tight end George Kittle (ankle), who is questionable for this contest. The fact that Willis was brought up means Kittle is most likely going to miss this weekend's game. If Kittle sits, Jake Tonges figures to operate as the primary tight end in this offense. Tonges posted some decent performances earlier in the season when Kittle was sidelined. He could offer some streaming appeal to tight-end-needy fantasy managers, assuming Kittle is unable to play.