Who Should I Start? Tommy Tremble or Gunnar Helm

Wednesday, June 4, 12:57 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) is not expected to return by training camp at the end of July after having back surgery, according to head coach Dave Canales. Barring a setback, the team is hoping to get Tremble back sometime during the preseason. The Panthers are going to bring the 25-year-old along slowly after he had a back procedure in the middle of May. With Tremble sidelined, Ja'Tavion Sanders and rookie fifth-rounder Mitchell Evans will see more reps in OTAs and mandatory minicamp this month. When healthy, Tremble profiles as more of a blocking tight end, which doesn't make him much of an option in fantasy leagues. The former third-rounder (83rd overall) in 2021 out of Notre Dame matched his career-high with 23 catches last year for a career-high 234 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts).

Wednesday, May 7, 3:12 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor and tight end Gunnar Helm were both fourth-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. While fourth-round picks are not guaranteed to make an impact right away, the Stanford and Texas products, respectively, "should have a path to contributing early," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Many draft analysts had a Round 2 or Round 3 grade on Ayomanor, who posted 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns in two collegiate seasons. The Titans' wide receiver group behind Calvin Ridley and the aging Tyler Lockett is underwhelming, so don't be surprised if Ayomanor is starting at the X-WR spot early in his rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Chig Okonkwo is still slotted in as the starter at tight end, but Helm, who caught 60 passes and scored seven touchdowns last season, could eat into his snaps and become a factor in 12-personnel. Neither pass-catcher is likely to be a consistent fantasy producer in an offense led by rookie quarterback Cam Ward, but they should be monitored throughout the season as potential waiver wire targets in deeper setups.