OrondeGadsden

News: 2 days agoGadsden caught two of three targets for 17 yards during the Chargers' 44-22 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Spin: Gadsden was on the field for 33 of 72 offensive snaps (45.8 percent), which was second-most among Chargers tight ends behind Charlie Kolar (47). Gadsden has caught two passes or fewer in six of eight regular-season games, and his 19-172-1 receiving line (on 29 targets) is well behind pace from his rookie campaign (49 catches on 69 targets for 664 yards and three scores across 15 regular-season contests). The Chargers' offense this season has struggled under quarterback Justin Herbert and coordinator Mike McDaniel, which doesn't bring much confidence ahead of their Week 10 road tilt against the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

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.