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.

Thursday, August 7, 12:31 PM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (undisclosed) returned to training camp practice on Thursday after leaving Tuesday's session early with an undisclosed ailment, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Kmet avoided a serious injury earlier this week and should be just fine to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. However, Chicago could play it safe and hold him out of their preseason opener this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old former second-rounder's fantasy stock took a big hit when the Bears selected Colston Loveland in the first round this year. Loveland had offseason shoulder surgery but should be ready for Week 1 and could easily take over as the team's primary pass-catching TE in 2025. RotoBaller has Kmet ranked all the way down as the No. 32 tight end this year.