OrondeGadsden

News: 6 days agoGadsden is the only healthy tight end on the Chargers' active roster following the team's 26-14 loss to the Raiders on Sunday, Noah Furtado of The Athletic reports.

Spin: Both David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) are expected to go on injured reserve due to injuries they suffered during Sunday's loss. Given those injuries, as well as Ladd McConkey being limited by a lingering rib injury, Gadsden should operate in an elevated role in the passing game over the coming weeks. Gadsden showed flashes of promise during the 2025 regular season, including a three-game stretch from Weeks 6 to 8, when he caught 19 passes (on 22 targets) for 309 yards and two touchdowns. The Chargers hit the road for Week 3 against the Bills, whose defense has yielded a 14-116-1 line (on 19 targets) to tight ends through two games.

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.