Fant to COVID list

The Broncos have placed TE Noah Fant on the COVID list. ESPN's Field Yates reports that Fant tested positive. If he's vaccinated, Fant would have a shot at returning for Sunday's game with 2 negative tests 24 hours apart. For now, we'd bet on him not being available Sunday against the Cowboys. That would elevate Albert Okwuegbunam to the top receiving role among Denver TEs.

We passed along a report earlier this week of Seahawks OC Shane Waldron's scheme looking friendly to TEs. Well, Noah Fant agrees. The former Bronco called it "very favorable" on Thursday, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson, specifically mentioning the downfield opportunities. That sounds especially good for Fant, who ran a 98th-percentile 40 time for the position. "I'm excited to be in this offense," Fant said. "I think I can do some good things in it." Seattle's weak QB situation has us cautious, but Fant's TE18 ADP (TE21 on Underdog) is just as cautious. That means there's more upside than risk.

Seahawks beat writer Brady Henderson writes that “TEs could be a bigger part” of the offense in 2022. The Seahawks ranked a mid-pack 17th in TE target share last year, so there’s room for growth. Noah Fant arrived over the offseason to give this unit a boost in athleticism. And don't forget about Will Dissly, who somehow earned a contract worth almost $16 million guaranteed in March. For now, we’re treating Fant as a TE2 and Dissly as a fantasy non-factor.

The Broncos have traded TE Noah Fant to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson deal. That lands Fant in an offense with a TE void. Gerald Everett and Will Dissly are each set to hit free agency this month. His departure also leaves Albert Okwuegbunam as Denver's top incumbent at the position. Fant's new team will need to answer a big question at QB, where Drew Lock looks like the best current option. He faces potential opportunity but also joins an offensive system that didn't even go pass-heavy with Wilson at the helm. That fails to excite us for Fant's fantasy outlook. Okwuegbunam, meanwhile, brings physical upside -- albeit in a still-crowded offense. If he remains in the late rounds of current best-ball drafting, though, the 3rd-year player could be a terrific sleeper.

Broncos TE Noah Fant has been activated from the COVID-19 list. The 24-year-old sat out last Sunday's win over Dallas. Back healthy, he profiles as a low-end TE1 this week vs. Philadelphia.

Broncos TE Noah Fant remains on the COVID list as of Friday afternoon. HC Vic Fangio confirmed that he doesn't expect Fant to be available for this weekend's game vs. the Cowboys. That'll leave Albert Okwuegbunam as Denver's lead TE -- and a viable Week 9 fantasy spot starter.