Who Should I Start? Jonnu Smith or Eli Raridon

BENCH

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Jonnu Smith News

Packers Signing Tight End Jonnu Smith to One-Year Deal

Thursday, August 27, 8:16 AM

The Green Bay Packers are signing former Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith to an undisclosed one-year deal on Thursday, sources told Jordan Schultz. Smith is one of the league's most respected veterans, and he has recorded 345 career catches and 30 touchdowns in his nine years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers will be Smith's fourth different team in the last four years. The former third-rounder in 2017 by the Titans out of Florida International had a career year in Miami in 2024, catching 88 of 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns in 17 games, but he cratered to a 38-222-2 line in 17 regular-season games last year in Pittsburgh while sharing work with Pat Freiermuth. With Luke Musgrave (neck) on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the 31-year-old should become Green Bay's TE2 behind Tucker Kraft (knee), who is coming off a torn ACL last year. Smith is unlikely to have standalone fantasy value with the Packers unless Kraft misses more time with an injury, but his presence is not great news for Kraft's potential breakout in 2026.

START

Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
2.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 8.3 0.1

Eli Raridon News

Eli Raridon Flashes a Path to Rookie Snaps

Tuesday, August 25, 10:05 AM

New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon has made himself more interesting this summer, even if the rookie still has work to do on the depth chart. New England took the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder 95th overall in April, and Julian Hill's season-ending injury created more room behind Hunter Henry. Raridon has flashed enough to take advantage. He made several catches in camp, worked with Drake Maye during joint practices and hauled in a seam ball off play action during the August 7 scrimmage. His preseason debut was quieter, with one catch for eight yards on four targets against Indianapolis, though another gain was wiped out by a penalty. There is still some uncertainty here. New England's current unofficial depth chart lists C.J. Dippre ahead of Raridon, and Raridon did not dress against Philadelphia on August 22 because of what Mike Vrabel called an individual situation. RotoBaller has him at TE45. Henry is still the clear starter, but Raridon's receiving ability has given him a chance to earn rookie snaps in an offense that can use multiple tight ends.

Jonnu Smith vs. Eli Raridon

Still trying to decide between Smith and Raridon? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Jonnu Smith is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Eli Raridon is projected to score 2.0 points.