Who Should I Start? Mike Gesicki or Donald Parham

Friday, October 11, 3:00 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (hamstring) has been cleared to play in the Week 6 contest against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football in Week 6. Gesicki's status for this weekend's game was in question after he didn't suit up for practice on Wednesday, but he returned a day later and was removed from the final injury report on Friday. He will officially be in play on Sunday night as a TE2 for fantasy managers in an offense with a lot of mouths to feed through the air. So far through the first five weeks of 2024, the 29-year-old has a total of 17 catches on 21 targets for 178 yards and no touchdowns. Gesicki posted season-highs in catches (seven) and receiving yards (91) back in the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, but that was also when receiver Tee Higgins was still out with a hamstring injury. The Giants defense has yet to allow a touchdown to a tight end this year.

Monday, August 12, 8:26 PM

As things currently stand in training camp, The Athletic's Daniel Popper lists Los Angeles Chargers tight ends Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst and Stone Smartt as the three TEs he thinks will make the final roster. Donald Parham Jr. and Ben Mason have missed significant practice time with injuries, and when Parham has been on the field, he has been working with the second and third teams. His blocking also remains a weakness. Zach Heins and Luke Benson have flashed at times, but they don't seem deserving of a roster spot over one of the other team's receivers. Smartt has improved as a blocker, which is why Popper thinks he'll earn a 53-man roster spot for a run-heavy Greg Roman offense this year. Parham's fantasy value in dynasty/keeper leagues is quickly evaporating, even though he set career-highs in catches (27), yards (285) and touchdowns (four) in 2023.