Who Should I Start? Nate Adkins or Hayden Rucci

Monday, November 18, 10:25 AM

Denver Broncos tight end Nate Adkins, the team's backup TE, came out of nowhere in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday to catch his second touchdown pass of the year. In the 38-6 blowout victory, Adkins caught his only target for a 12-yard touchdown score that put the Broncos on the scoreboard early in the first quarter. They would never look back, with rookie quarterback Bo Nix throwing for over 300 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. Adkins' first touchdown of the year came in the Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers. The 25-year-old shouldn't be a waiver-wire consideration at all this upcoming week after his second score, as he now has only six receptions for 34 yards and two TDs on seven targets in 11 games in 2024. There's a good chance we won't hear from the second-year TE again.

Saturday, August 24, 12:07 AM

Miami Dolphins tight end Hayden Rucci caught 5-of-6 targets for 44 yards and one touchdown in the team's 24-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rucci did most of his damage on Skylar Thompson's first drive in the second quarter -- catching three passes, including a 20-yard strike for a touchdown. He later converted a critical fourth down on Miami's final scoring drive in the third quarter. It wasn't a great night for the Dolphins' offense, but there were a few good individual performances, including Rucci, who tied for the team lead in targets with rookie running back Jaylen Wright. The Bucs seemingly had no answer for the undrafted free agent over the middle. It was a solid performance from the Wisconsin alum, but it's unclear where he stands with Jonnu Smith, Durham Smythe, Julian Hill, and Jody Fortson Jr. ahead of him on the Fins' unofficial depth chart. We'll learn more soon as Miami gears up for their home opener two weeks from Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.