Kendall Blanton Fantasy Stats

The Los Angeles Rams continued to trim their roster down ahead of Week 1 on Saturday, releasing five players, including tight end Kendall Blanton, who started in last season's Super Bowl victory. The team also moved on from running backs Raymond Calais and A.J. Rose, wide receiver J.J. Koski and defensive back Jairon McVea. Blanton, an undrafted free agent, rose to prominence after catching his first professional touchdown against Tampa Bay in the playoffs and following up that performance up with a five-catch, 57-yard outing in the NFC Championship Game. With Tyler Higbee set to return to his role as a pass-catching dynamo in the L.A. offense, playing time was going to be scarce for Blanton. Koski, who was injured during practice earlier in the week, likely lost out on a wide receiver spot due to the emergence of Lance McCutcheon, who hauled in 96 receiving yards during Week 2 of the preseason. Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson Jr. are set to lead the team's backfield again in 2022.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Kendall Blanton got the start with Tyler Higbee out last Monday night, and that could be the case again in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday. Higbee is on the COVID-19 list again, and Blanton saw over 70 percent of the snaps last week in his absence. Due to their use of three wide receivers, the Rams rarely use more than one tight end, which is why Blanton would be the beneficiary this week if Higbee is out again. He is the only tight end outside of Higbee with more than one target this season, and Johnny Mundt saw his lone target back in Week 4. Seattle has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends this year, and Blanton could take advantage as a deep TE2 sleeper.

Los Angeles Rams tight end Kendall Blanton was inserted into the starting lineup on Monday afternoon after teammate Tyler Higbee was deemed unavailable due to COVID-19, and Blanton was pretty easily held in check in Week 14 against the Arizona Cardinals. Blanton caught two of his three targets for 29 yards, but the Rams just weren't trying to feature him heavily, especially in the second half when they had built a huge lead. Blanton will likely be back in a reserve role next week if Higbee gains clearance. If Higbee is back as the team's primary pass-catching tight end, he'll be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 in the first week of the fantasy playoffs in many leagues.