Who Should I Start? Durham Smythe or Noah Fant

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, October 11, 2:13 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Noah Fant had four catches (five targets) for 26 yards in the Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. He also had a touchdown in that one. Unfortunately, the 27-year-old hasn't done anything meaningful since then, catching eight passes for 54 yards. In Fant's defense, the entire offense hasn't looked the best, and it didn't matter whether it was Joe Burrow (toe) or Jake Browning under center. With the recently acquired Joe Flacco getting the start versus the Packers, it's unknown how his presence will impact the offense. However, until the offense can turn things around, Fant shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy lineup. That will still apply if Ja'Marr Chase (illness) ends up getting ruled out in Week 6.