Who Should I Start? Durham Smythe or Jake Tonges

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.

Friday, October 3, 12:53 AM

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges caught seven of his 11 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown during Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Rams. Tonges has filled in quite admirably for George Kittle (hamstring), who could return as early as next week. Through five games, the 26-year-old has 19 catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns, ranking 10th among tight ends in fantasy points per game. The return of Kittle, whether that happens sooner or later, will push Tonges back to a depth role and keep him off the fantasy radar. At the moment, it's too early to predict whether Kittle will return and impact Tonges' fantasy outlook next week against the Ravens.