Who Should I Start? Durham Smythe or Pat Freiermuth

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, November 15, 12:44 PM

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has scored three touchdowns in the past four weeks and is set to take on a familiar foe in the Cincinnati Bengals this week. Freiermuth has a long history of success against the Bengals, most recently erupting for 111 yards and two touchdowns when these division rivals met in Week 7. Though the weekly target distribution between Pittsburgh's three tight ends is unpredictable, Freiermuth has outpaced both Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington in fantasy scoring since the Steelers' Week 5 bye. None of them are safe options in Week 11, but Freiermuth's recent chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his track record against the Bengals give him the highest ceiling of the group. He has appeal as a streaming option in what could be another shootout.