Who Should I Start? Josh Oliver or Harold Fannin Jr.

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.

Friday, June 13, 3:10 PM

Cleveland Browns rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a busy day earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and could have a big role in his first season in the NFL with the Browns expected to use more two-tight end sets in 2025. "He's got really strong hands," tight ends coach Christian Jones said. "He tracks the ball well and you see it on tape every time he's been playing when you study him and we're getting ready to see what he'd be for us. The guy catches everything, tracks the ball well and really adjusts to the ball in the air." Fannin is on the small side for a TE, but his production last year at Bowling Green speaks for itself (117 catches, 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns). It's unclear if he has the athleticism to exceed regularly in the NFL, though, and he'll have a tough time making a fantasy impact in 2025 as long as David Njoku stays healthy.