Sam LaPorta, Oronde Gadsden provide high upside at the tight end position in fantasy football
The modern NFL offensive evolution is breathing fresh life into one of fantasy football’s most volatile positions: the tight end.As creative head coaches and offensive coordinators across the league embrace multi-tight end personnel packages at unprecedented rates, fantasy football managers stand to reap immense rewards in upcoming drafts.Historically, fantasy managers feared multi-tight end formations, worrying that additional tight ends on the field meant diluted target shares and fewer opportunities.
However, modern offensive schemes deploy 12- and 13-personnel to achieve structural balance rather than conservative play-calling.By assigning a dedicated in-line tight end to handle heavy blocking duties, play-callers effectively untether athletic, pass-catching tight ends.Rather than chipping edge rushers or anchoring protection, these dynamic tight ends are freed up to run diverse route trees out of the slot or out wide, enjoying increased snap counts and higher quality targets.Nowhere is this tactical shift more promising than with the Lions, who hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator.
Fantasy managers witnessed firsthand what Petzing’s tight end-heavy scheme accomplished for Trey McBride in Arizona, turning him into a high-volume target monster.Though you cannot automatically assume Sam LaPorta will command an identical target share to McBride, Petzing’s arrival signals a clear path toward an expanded workload and increased targets.The Lions’ offensive framework will allow LaPorta to operate as a primary receiving engine rather than just an intermediate option.
Provided LaPorta returns to 100 percent health following his offseason back surgery, his natural receiving talents paired with Petzing’s tight end-friendly offense give him massive fantasy potential and top-tier upside.For managers seeking high-upside value deeper in drafts, look to the Chargers and second-year playmaker Oronde Gadsden.L.A.’s “other” team brought in offe...