OrondeGadsden

News: 3 days agoGadsden caught both of his targets for 32 yards during the Chargers' 26-14 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday.

Spin: Gadsden's 10 snaps on offense were a distant third among Chargers tight ends behind Charlie Kolar and David Njoku (30 each), with Gadsden also seeing the field for eight snaps on special teams. The second-year tight end did connect with Justin Herbert on a 26-yard pass in the second quarter, and Gadsden could see his role in the passing game expand Week 2 against the Raiders if wide receiver Ladd McConkey (ribs) were to be sidelined.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Gadsden's rookie season was quite the roller coaster. The 2025 fifth-round pick didn't get much early run prior to exploding for 29.4 fantasy points in Week 7 and 18.7 points in Week 8. He went on to score one touchdown and average 6.2 fantasy PPG the rest of the season, never clearing 12.2 points in a single outing. Gadsden finished the season eighth or better at the position in end zone targets, aDOT, YPR, YPT and YPRR. The 23-year-old's second-half fall is concerning, and he now enters Year 2 set to compete for work with newcomer David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. It's still possible Gadsden emerges as a featured target in new playcaller Mike McDaniel's offense, but consistent fantasy output may be tough in an offense that figures to spread the ball around. Gadsden is only worth stashing in dynasty.