Who Should I Start? Josh Oliver or Cole Kmet

Tuesday, June 10, 1:52 PM

The Minnesota Vikings signed tight end Josh Oliver to a three-year, $23.25 million contract extension on Tuesday with a maximum value of $27.5 million, according to Athletes First's Andrew Kessler. The deal includes $11.9 million in new guarantees and $19.5 million in total guarantees. With T.J. Hockenson missing time due to injury in 2024, Oliver had 22 receptions on 28 targets for a career-high 258 yards and three touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (12 starts), but it still wasn't enough to move the fantasy needle. The 28-year-old former third-rounder (69th overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2019 NFL draft out of San Jose State excels as a run-blocker and will primarily be used in that role again in 2025. And now that Hockenson will be ready for the start of this season, we'd expect Oliver to be less involved as a pass-catcher.

Saturday, July 19, 11:33 AM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet was initially taken aback when the team took rookie Colston Loveland in the first round in April, but now he's beginning to buy into new head coach Ben Johnson's offensive vision. "I'm excited about it. I'm excited to not only push him but then for him to push me. We're going to make each other better. I think the goal with it is to become the best 12 (personnel) tandem in the league and see where we can take it from there," Kmet said. In Detroit, Johnson's offense ran the third-most plays out of 12 personnel (two TEs) in the league, posted a success rate of 47.9%, averaged a gain of 6.2 yards per play and logged 59 explosive plays in 2024. The Lions also had the most TDs out of 12 personnel. It doesn't mean Chicago's offense will be among the best in the league immediately, but Kmet's demise might be premature, especially with Loveland still rehabbing a shoulder injury heading into training camp.