Who Should I Start? Zach Heins or Hayden Rucci

Thursday, July 11, 4:37 PM

Former South Dakota State University tight end Zach Heins signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after being unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a slow start to his collegiate career, Heins caught 56 passes for 757 yards and 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons. With the Chargers, he's in one of the weaker tight end rooms in the NFL, and Daniel Popper of the Athletic believes he has a shot to make the 53-man roster following training camp. "Heins, out of South Dakota State, is over 6-foot-6 and 259 pounds. He projects as a capable inline blocker. The Chargers have been very clear about wanting to build a physical and imposing running game," Popper wrote. "To do that consistently, they need run blockers at tight end. They signed an elite run blocker in free agency in Will Dissly. But I think they need more run-blocking behind Dissly." It sounds like Heins won't be much of a pass-catcher if he makes the roster, but he should still be on the fantasy radar in ultra-deep leagues if he's active in Week 1. The Chargers could opt to carry four tight ends on game day, so he'll need to beat out one of Dissly, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham Jr., or Stone Smartt.

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.