Who Should I Start? Oronde Gadsden or Jackson Hawes

Friday, November 21, 3:51 PM

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden ranks as the TE12 in half-PPR fantasy points per game through the first nine games of his NFL career. Gadsden has developed strong chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert and has 37 catches on 49 targets for 507 yards and two touchdowns going into the team's Week 12 bye. However, the 22-year-old hasn't scored since Oct. 19. Gadsden has cooled off a bit since back-to-back weeks of finding the end zone in Weeks 7 and 8, but he's had at least five targets in a game since all the way back in Week 5. The primary concern for Gadsden's fantasy managers going forward is the Chargers' banged-up offensive line, which might give quarterback Justin Herbert very little time to throw the football in the final stretch of the season against some tough opponents. The fifth-rounder could return with a bang in Week 13 against the Raiders, so fantasy managers shouldn't give up hope just yet.

Saturday, October 11, 2:49 PM

Buffalo Bills rookie tight end Jackson Hawes could see a small uptick in opportunities if Dalton Kincaid (oblique) is ruled out ahead of Monday night's matchup against Atlanta. The fifth-round pick has appeared in every game this season but has been used sparingly in the passing game, seeing just four targets through five weeks--hauling in all of them. While Hawes' strong blocking skills have earned him steady snaps, he remains a distant option in Buffalo's offensive pecking order. Even with a potential increase in playing time, his fantasy value is negligible, and he should be avoided in all formats unless his role expands dramatically in the coming weeks.