Who Should I Start? Tanner Hudson or Payne Durham

Friday, March 7, 1:05 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed tight end Tanner Hudson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday, according to The 33rd Team's Ari Meirov. In his second year with the Bengals in 2024, Hudson regressed and had only 19 receptions on 23 targets for 154 yards and one touchdown in 11 games while Mike Gesicki was the team's third leading receiver behind wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The 30-year-old missed six weeks with two knee injuries last year, which also didn't help his cause. However, if the Bengals fail to re-sign Mike Gesicki this offseason, Hudson could be primed to be the team's top pass-catching tight end in 2025. Without Gesicki around in 2023, Hudson had the best season of his career, but it only yielded 39 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown on 50 targets in 12 games (one start).

Friday, January 10, 5:49 PM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Payne Durham could once again see an increased role during Sunday's Wild-Card game against the Washington Commanders. Fellow tight end Cade Otton (knee) has been sidelined over the last three games. Otton was able to get in two full practice sessions this week, but is listed as questionable ahead of this game. If he sits, Durham and Devin Culp would once again see more involvement. Durham has hauled in a touchdown in two straight games coming into this one. However, Durham hasn't brought much value to the table outside of that with two receptions or less in both of those games. Durham has also only surpassed 30 receiving yards in one game this season. That being said, Durham will be a touchdown-dependent option, assuming Otton is unable to play. Otherwise, Durham won't be worth a look if Otton is active.