Oronde Gadsden Fantasy Stats

The Athletic's Daniel Popper believes Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden will play in a role that "maximizes his receiving skill set" under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel in 2026. The Chargers signed tight end Charlie Kolar, who is an elite run blocker and an "ideal fit" in McDaniel's movement offense. He also has upside as a pass-catcher, but Gadsden will be the Bolts' clear top pass-catching TE after he impressed in his first year in the NFL in 2025 with 49 catches on 69 targets for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 regular-season games (seven starts). His numbers were good enough to make him the TE16 in half-PPR scoring as a rookie. Gadsden also ranked 14th at his position in yards per route run. He's an ascending player with a good fit in the offensive scheme as he heads into his second year in the league. For fantasy managers who wait at the TE position, Gadsden is a great late-round target with upside.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden emerged as an exciting young pass-catcher as a rookie in 2025, recording 49 receptions for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets across 15 games. The 22-year-old established himself as the Chargers' primary receiving tight end by the middle of the season, pushing out veteran tight end Tyler Conklin. Conklin departed Los Angeles for the Detroit Lions in free agency, further clearing the way for Gadsden to dominate tight end snaps in 2026. Los Angeles signed former Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar for some depth at the position, but Kolar profiles as a blocking specialist with just 30 total receptions across 47 career NFL games. Based on what he showed as a rookie, Gadsden could easily grow into a high-volume role in the Los Angeles offense. His stock in dynasty formats should be rising heading into 2026.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden displayed his versatility and developed a strong connection with Justin Herbert during the 2025 NFL season. The 22-year-old had 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets. Gadsden was a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers who were able to snipe him off waivers in his rookie season. Entering Wild Card Weekend, Gadsden will face a solid New England Patriots defense. The Patriots' defense allowed the fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns and the sixth-fewest rushing yards, while having one of the NFL's mild passing defenses. This could favor the Gadsden and the Chargers' passing attack. If the Chargers have a slow start running the football, they could turn Herbert's arm loose early. Gadsden could see a good number of targets against an average NFL passing defense in his first playoff game.

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden has been inconsistent down the stretch, but he still exceeded expectations as a fifth-round rookie. Gadsden brought in 49 catches (69 targets) for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. The Syracuse product had a historic stretch early in the season once he earned a full-time role in Week 6, posting his most receiving yards ever by a rookie tight end over a four-game span. He also became the first rookie tight end with four straight games of 65 or more receiving yards. Gadsden's production faded down the stretch, as he averaged just two catches (3.3 targets) for 26.2 yards per game with one touchdown over the final six weeks. Gadsden is a risky option for Sunday night's Wild-Card game against the New England Patriots, with New England being a slightly favorable matchup for opposing tight ends, allowing the 11th-most catches per game (5.7) and the 12th-most yards (57.1).

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden found the end zone for the first time since Week 8 during Saturday's loss to the Houston Texans. The rookie tight end was able to salvage his fantasy value with a one-yard touchdown. He finished the game with three receptions on six targets for 32 yards and the one score. His value has been inconsistent this season, and it's not going to get any better in Week 18 in the regular-season finale on the road against a tough Denver Broncos defense. The Chargers are expected to rest most of their starters in Week 18, which includes quarterback Justin Herbert. Backup Trey Lance will take over under center, which will be a downgrade for the entire offense. It's unclear how much Gadsden is going to play, and having a backup QB throwing the rock around isn't going to do him any favors. Fantasy managers are better off looking elsewhere for TE help in Week 18.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden saw his involvement crater last week, recording just one catch for seven yards on a season-low 3.5% target share. This drop in usage stems from the Chargers prioritizing extra pass protection for their battered offensive line, leaving non-blocking Gadsden on the sidelines for significant stretches. The Week 17 matchup against the Houston Texans offers little hope for a rebound. While Houston is occasionally susceptible to tight end touchdowns, they rank top-10 in yards allowed to the position and lead the league in EPA/Pass. With Gadsden's routes and targets trending sharply downward, he cannot be trusted during the most important week of the fantasy season. He should remain on your bench as a low-end TE2.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden saw his role shrink significantly in the team's 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording just one catch for seven yards while playing only 59% of the snaps and posting a 3.5% target share. This marked his lowest usage since becoming a regular contributor, continuing a troubling post-bye trend in which his snap rate has dipped as the Chargers prioritize pass protection for their depleted offensive line. For the first time since Week 2, veteran Will Dissly out-targeted Gadsden, highlighting the rookie's diminishing involvement. Week 17 brings a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans, who rank among the top pass defenses and top-10 units against tight ends in yards allowed. With declining playing time, reduced targets, and a challenging opponent, Gadsden should not be trusted in fantasy lineups during championship week.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden is coming off a productive week in which he led the team with 61 receiving yards on a 19% target share. While his route rate dipped to 54.6% as the team prioritized pass protection, Gadsden functions more like a wide receiver in this offense. That serves him well against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has been shredded by perimeter players, even though it has allowed only four touchdowns to tight ends all year. With Quentin Johnston (groin) questionable, Gadsden could see an increase in high-ADOT, downfield targets, as he did earlier in the season. He hasn't scored in six games, but the Cowboys' league-worst EPA/Pass suggests that drought could end this Sunday. RotoBaller projects him as the TE10, making him a solid low-end TE1 or streaming option.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has been a bit of a roller coaster for fantasy managers the past few weeks, scoring five or fewer fantasy points in four of his last five games after splashing onto the scene in Week 6 and looking like a top-five tight end in some fantasy rankings up until his recent cold stretch. However, in Week 15, he bounced back nicely, with four receptions for 61 yards. Quentin Johnston was ruled out in that contest, opening some opportunities for Gadsden in the passing game, especially down the seams and in the middle of the field. In Week 16, he's got the Dallas Cowboys, who rank middle-of-the-pack against opposing tight ends, and the Chargers offense as a whole will look to get right after being fairly down the last handful of games. Justin Herbert's hand injury, which he has been playing through, has also not helped the production of a lot of the receivers. Gadsden profiles as a low-end TE 1 for Week 16.

Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden recorded four catches (five targets) for 61 yards in the Week 15 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, his most yards in a game since Week 9. Gadsden struggled to produce in the previous four games, totalling just seven receptions for 88 yards on 17 targets as his route participation dipped during that time. The Chargers have shifted to a more run-heavy approach and heavier pass protection with a banged-up offensive line, which has limited the rookie's production of late. The Syracuse product led the Chargers in receiving on Sunday but saw his route share dip to 54.5%, his lowest since he became a full-time starter. However, Gadsden is still involved in the passing game and has upside in a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He is worthy of streamer consideration for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.