Who Should I Start? Ian Thomas or Jake Tonges

Tuesday, March 25, 1:32 PM

The Las Vegas Raiders announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Ian Thomas (calf) to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday. Thomas will head to the AFC West after spending the first seven years of his NFL career with the Carolina Panthers after they selected him in the fourth round (101st overall) in the 2018 NFL draft out of Indiana. The 28-year-old never really established himself as a fantasy asset in Carolina, with his best season coming in his rookie campaign with a 36-333-2 line on 49 targets in 16 games (six starts). Thomas landed on Injured Reserve in 2024 with a calf injury and only caught three of six targets for seven yards in five games (two starts). He scored four touchdowns in his first three seasons but hasn't found the end zone since. In Vegas, he'll provide TE depth behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer and will remain off the fantasy radar.

Tuesday, October 28, 3:56 AM

San Francisco 49ers tight end Luke Tonges has been pushed down the depth chart and back into his former special teams role now that George Kittle is back in action. Tonges saw just eight offensive snaps in Week 7 and was on the field for five in the 49ers' 26-15 loss to the Texans in Week 8. He managed to add another touchdown to his resume, though, securing his lone target for a score from two yards out. During Kittle's stint on injured reserve, Tonges made for a TD-dependent streaming option that paid off with three top-12 finishes among tight ends. On the season, he is up to 26 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns. With minimal involvement on offense now, he doesn't belong on fantasy football rosters. He won't be a factor in the 49ers' Week 9 matchup against the Giants.