The Chargers appear headed for a TE rotation that could sap the fantasy value of all three members. Oronde Gadsden carries plenty of long-term intrigue after a nice debut as a fifth-round rookie. But the team added Charlie Kolar on a three-year deal with an $8.1 million average in free agency, followed by David Njoku arriving on a one-year, $3 million pact.
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Eric Smith, Chargers.com editorial director: "With camp here, this one is less about who will be the starter, as each tight end is expected to play a role this season. Instead, we're curious about how [OC Mike] McDaniel mixes and matches this group when more than one tight end is on the field at the same time."
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That's an interesting way to frame it, because McDaniel's Dolphins didn't play many two-TE sets across his four seasons at the helm there. Here's how those Miami teams ranked in rate of "12" personnel (one RB, two TEs):
- 2022: 26th
- 2023: 30th
- 2024: 17th
- 2025: 29th
That outlier season was the big Jonnu Smith year, when he garnered 111 targets and posted an 88-884-8 receiving line. Those Dolphins lost QB Tua Tagovailoa for four early-season games and two more at the end of the year, plus Jaylen Waddle for two late games.
The Nos. 2 and 3 TEs for that team tallied just 19 and 17 targets. That also marked the only year in which any Miami TE averaged more than 3.8 targets per game.
Gadsden, by comparison, averaged 4.6 targets per game with last year's Chargers, ranking fourth on the team in total looks.
Kolar's contract and his blocking skills make him look like the best bet to lead Chargers TEs in playing time this year, but he also has yet to exceed 15 targets across four NFL seasons. Kolar did deliver much more receiving production in college, though, averaging 4.4 catches per game across his final three years.
Njoku has 384 receptions across nine pro campaigns but missed 11 games over just the last two years and turned 30 in early July. He looks like insurance.
Gadsden sports the most receiving upside, but he ranked 87th in Pro Football Focus run-blocking grade last season among 88 TEs with at least 100 blocking snaps. That followed modest blocking grades in college as well.
When you factor in the Chargers sporting multiple players at both WR and RB who figure to get the ball plenty, it's tough to envision reception upside that would make any of these TEs attractive for common-sized fantasy leagues.
