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    Kolar catches Herbert’s first pass against 49ers

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    Chargers TE Charlie Kolar caught 1-of-1 targets for nine yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers.

    Kolar earned QB Justin Herbert’s first target of the night on a short out route to the left. Kolar secured the pass but stumbled and was brought down just shy of the first-down marker. PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes that Kolar shared the field with TE David Njoku on two of the first three plays, but Kolar remained on the field for the Chargers’ first 11 personnel package. Kolar looks like the Chargers’ No. 1 tight end. He was a talented prospect but has contributed sparingly as a receiver in the NFL to this point, making him a coin-toss TE1/2 for fantasy.
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  • LAC Tight End
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    The second-year incumbent tight end is seemingly behind the Chargers’ free agent signee veteran TEs Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. Neither Kolar nor Njoku suited up this evening. Gadsden can still be viewed as a TE2/3 in best ball formats, but his current role could be undesirable for re-draft purposes.
  • LAC Tight End #88
    This isn’t the first time Popper has hyped up Kolar this offseason. In May, Popper said he saw Kolar as the team’s “TE1 because of his complete skill set.” As Popper points out in his most recent article at The Athletic, Kolar “has a ton of untapped potential as a pass catcher,” and spent the first four years of his career playing behind Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar has a career receiving line of 30-409-4, and has never caught more than 10 passes in a season. There’s no reason to rush to make him a part of your draft plans at this point, but Popper’s belief that Kolar is primed to surpass his career-best single season numbers is worth keeping in mind once training camp begins.
  • LAC Tight End #88
    The Chargers signed Kolar and David Njoku in the offseason, adding them to a tight end room containing Oronde Gadsden. Popper mentions Njoku and Gadsden both “impact the game more as receivers than blockers.” Kolar is the best run blocker among the trio with pass-catching upside, finishing last season with 10 receptions for 142 yards behind Isaiah Likely and Mark Andrews with the Ravens. All three are capable pass-catchers and allows the Chargers to use three-tight-end sets, something Popper said the team was testing out in practice Wednesday. Njoku and Gadsden will likely have more fantasy relevancy as pass-catchers but Popper believes Kolar’s “complete skill set” can make him the TE1 in Mike McDaniel’s offense.
  • LAC Tight End #85
    Rhim specifically cites former Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith, who posted an 88/886/8 receiving line, while totaling 505 yards after the catch under McDaniel in 2024. McDaniel and TEs coach Chandler Henley plan to create a “run-pass conflict” for opposing defenses, which starts at the tight end position. The offense will expectedly use two-tight end sets often. Rhim notes that Njoku, 29, has “been one of the league’s best tight ends at yards after catch for the past decade,” although he “is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro” and has been bothered by lower-body injuries recently. Whether Njoku has enough left in the tank to handle TE1 duties remains to be seen. It is worth noting that Rhim never once mentioned TE Charlie Kolar in the article, suggesting he is stuck in the TE3 spot behind Njoku and second-year TE Oronde Gadsden.
  • LAC Tight End #85
    A week after visiting with the Chargers, Njoku is now set to join them on a deal that is worth up to $8 million, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The 29-year-old tight end had one of the worst seasons of his career in 2025, as injuries and the emergence of rookie Harold Fannin resulted in Njoku catching just 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games. Injuries have slowed Njoku each of the last two seasons. He’s appeared in just 23 of a possible 34 regular-season games over that span and has averaged 8.9 YPR or fewer in both seasons. However, if he can stay healthy, he should provide another reliable weapon for Justin Herbert in the passing game. His arrival could have a negative impact on Oronde Gadsden, but given both tight ends’ ability to line up both in-line and in the slot, it also wouldn’t be surprising if the Chargers ran more two-tight-end sets
  • FA Tight End #85
    Njoku met with the Ravens two weeks ago but has drawn seemingly little interest on the free agent market, with teams content to wait until after the draft to kick the tires on the soon-to-be 30-year-old tight end. The Chargers appear to be set at the position, with breakout youngster Oronde Gadsden joined by offseason acquisition Charlie Kolar, the latter of whom has made a career of his blocking chops. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel hardly utilized 13-personnel during his time in Miami, instead ranking near the top of the league in 11-personnel alignments. One would think that would be unlikely to change drastically considering the state of the roster in Los Angeles, making the visit a difficult one to get a true read on for fantasy purposes.
  • The Chargers have used free agency to stockpile players custom made for McDaniel’s Shanahan-style offense, including fullback Alex Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar. Popper describes Kolar as “an elite run blocker who is an ideal fit in McDaniel’s movement offense” who “will allow Oronde Gadsden to play in a role that maximizes the 2025 fifth-round pick’s receiving skill set.” Gadsden was a welcome surprise in fantasy circles last season, totaling 664 yards and three touchdowns on 49 receptions. He ranked 14th among 50 qualifying tight ends in yards per route run, in line with Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin. If he runs 60 or 70 percent of the Chargers’ routes in 2026, Gadsden could be a tight end to target late in drafts.
  • FA Tight End #85
    Njoku was released by the Browns as the new league year began, designated as a post-June 1st cut. The 29-year-old spent the first nine seasons of his career in Cleveland, making a Pro Bowl in 2023 when he caught 81-of-123 targets for 882 yards and six touchdowns. Njoku played in 12 games last season as Harold Fannin Jr. slowly took over, catching 33-of-48 targets for 293 yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens are in the market for a receiving tight end after Isaiah Likely departed for the Giants. Njoku would fit into a limited role between Mark Andrews and newly-signed blocking tight end Durham Smythe if he lands in Baltimore.
  • FA Tight End #85
    Njoku was designated as a post-June 1st release, spreading out his dead cap hit over two years. The news doesn’t come as a surprise. Njoku posted a heartfelt goodbye just after the season ended, so it was only a matter of paperwork for the Browns. The age-29 tight end is now looking for a new home for the first time in his NFL career. Njoku caught three passes for 293 yards and four scores in 2025. He was passed on the depth chart by Harold Fannin Jr. and missed time late in the year with a knee issue. Plenty of teams will be interested in signing him, though likely as a rotational player at this point in his career. Njoku is unlikely to put up TE1 numbers in 2026, no matter where he lands.
  • LAC Tight End #88
    NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said this makes Kolar “the NFL’s highest-paid blocking tight end.” We’re not sure that’s something that can be officially verified, but it does pass the smell test. As many former Ravens have done, Kolar now goes from playing under John Harbaugh in Baltimore to Jim Harbaugh in LA. With the Chargers also signing Alec Ingold today, it’s clear Mike McDaniel is picking the guys he needs to run his offense. Kolar only caught 10 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns last year. He isn’t a fantasy factor, but he could take the field enough to stifle a breakout from Oronde Gadsden.

Rotoworld

  • NYG Running Back #22
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    ESPN’s Jordan Raanan says Najee Harris “was brought in under the premise that he’s going to be a significant contributor” for the Giants this season.

    It’s worth noting that Cam Skattebo continues to be the first running back up in practice, but it sounds like the Giants could have a vision for Harris, who signed with the team on a one-year, minimum-salary deal, per Raanan. Harris is returning from a torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season in Week 3, but there’s plenty of room for him to earn snaps behind Skattebo once he gets up to speed. A blown pass-blocking assignment by Tyrone Tracy in the team’s first preseason game against the Vikings raised immediate questions about whether or not the Giants will trust Tracy in pass-blocking situations this season, and Harris has proven to be a capable pass-blocker in the past. At this point, it’s hard to imagine Harris having any standalone fantasy value in a healthy Giants backfield, but he could be worth a handcuff to Skattebo in deeper leagues based on these latest reports.
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    The Athletic’s Jesse Newell reports the Chiefs have been “getting the ball to Kenneth Walker all the time” in camp.

    Newell writes that the way the Chiefs have been getting the ball to Walker has been “one of the most striking parts of camp,” while adding that Walker has been the primary target in the screen game and in the red zone. It’s about as encouraging a report as fantasy managers could hope for if they’re eyeing Walker in drafts this season. The 25-year-old back signed a three-year, $40.05 million contract with the Chiefs this offseason and could operate as the true bell cow in Andy Reid’s offense this season. Newell also noted that the Chiefs don’t appear to be alternating backs on every other series as they have in recent years, which would only raise Walker’s fantasy ceiling for this upcoming season. Walker already figures to be in the running for a top-12 fantasy season at his position, but he could be in line for a career year if his reported camp usage holds up in the regular season.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #11
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    ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Parker Washington is expected to return to practice next week.

    Washington missed this week due to an undisclosed injury, but it doesn’t sound like this is anything to be too concerned about at this point. The fourth-year receiver is expected to make his return to the field next week and should be in position to be ready for the start of the season. Washington is coming off a breakout year in which he totaled 58 receptions for 847 yards and five touchdowns, and it was reported recently that the Jaguars seem “reluctant” to take him off the field, with some believing Washington has established himself as the WR1 for the Jags. He’s sounding more and more like a reliable WR2/WR3 as we enter prime fantasy draft season.
  • LV Quarterback #8
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    Raiders HC Klint Kubiak declined to name a starting QB after the team’s second preseason game against the Texans on Thursday.

    Kirk Cousins didn’t play a snap in Thursday night’s game, but despite the decision not to dress his veteran QB, Kubiak opted not to commit to a starter just yet. Rookie Fernando Mendoza played the entire first half of yesterday’s game, completing 8-of-15 passes for 86 yards, with one of his incompletions resulting in an 80-yard pick-six. It’s long been believed that the Raiders’ plan entering this season was to go with Cousins as the starter before eventually making the move to Mendoza later in the year. While that may still end up being how things unfold, Kubiak’s decision not to name a starter on a night when several starters sat has raised questions ahead of the team’s third and final preseason game next week against the 49ers.
  • LAC Running Back #34
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    Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell rushed three times for minus-one yard in Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers, adding one reception for 11 yards.

    Mitchell’s box score would have looked a lot better if his 21-yard reception on a route out of the backfield had not been called back due to a penalty. Chargers starting RB Omarion Hampton played all three snaps on the opening drive before giving way to Mitchell, who played 10-of-10 snaps on the second and third drives. Fellow backup RB Kimani Vidal took the field as the Chargers’ kick returner to begin the game. He made his first appearance on offense on the Chargers’ fourth drive. Mitchell could return standalone FLEX value with big-play upside in this role. He reportedly visited the blue medical tent, but was allowed to return to the sideline. Hopefully, this is a non-issue.
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    Chargers TE Charlie Kolar caught 1-of-1 targets for nine yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers.

    Kolar earned QB Justin Herbert’s first target of the night on a short out route to the left. Kolar secured the pass but stumbled and was brought down just shy of the first-down marker. PFF’s Nathan Jahnke notes that Kolar shared the field with TE David Njoku on two of the first three plays, but Kolar remained on the field for the Chargers’ first 11 personnel package. Kolar looks like the Chargers’ No. 1 tight end. He was a talented prospect but has contributed sparingly as a receiver in the NFL to this point, making him a coin-toss TE1/2 for fantasy.
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    49ers WR De’Zhaun Stribling caught 4-of-5 targets for 46 yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the Chargers.

    Stribling starred on the 49ers’ first two drives. He caught three passes on the first drive, nabbing an eight-yard gain on a curl route, high-pointing a pass beyond the sticks and making a kneeling catch for a first down via a slant route from the perimeter. 49ers QB Brock Purdy beautifully threaded the needle to him on a post route downfield, sneaking the ball right past two defenders. Stribling nearly hauled in a 30-plus-yard pass down the left sideline, just a few yards from the end zone, but he couldn’t complete the catch. The result of that play might keep his ADP from inflating too much. The rookie wide receiver might warrant WR3 treatment right out of the gate.
  • LAC Wide Receiver #89
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    Chargers WR Brenen Thompson exited Thursday’s preseason game against the 49ers after suffering an apparent injury.

    Thompson stopped by the blue medical tent before being taken to the locker room. This is a bummer. The speedy wide receiver played all three first-team reps with QB Justin Herbert. Herbert hung up his cleats for the night after that drive, but Thompson remained on the field, earning two targets from QB Trey Lance. The first yielded a seven-yard gain on a comeback route. The second was thrown 50-plus yards downfield. Thompson dove for it, but a defender likely got away with a DPI no-call, and Lance slightly overthrew the pass anyway. Hopefully, Thompson is only dealing with a minor injury and can continue his encouraging development soon. Chargers WRs Quentin Johnston and Tre’ Harris appear to be inactive.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #11
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    ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reports that the Jaguars are “reluctant” to take WR Parker Washington off the field.

    DiRocco indicates that Washington is staying on the field for both 12 personnel and 11 personnel packages. He and WR Jakobi Meyers have reportedly led the position group in snaps this summer. Although Washington is dealing with an undisclosed injury at the moment, he is expected to return next week. DiRocco said on Tuesday that Washington has “established himself” as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, which lines up with what we’ve been hearing all spring and summer.
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    Raiders RB Mike Washington rushed nine times for 56 yards in Thursday’s preseason game against the Texans, adding two receptions for 18 yards.

    Washington looked good once again this week. His best play was an explosive gain on the Raiders’ first drive. Washington ran into the back of the line briefly but bounced off contact and took off downfield for a 33-yard gain. He was tackled by his shoestrings on the Texans’ 25-yard line. Unfortunately, the next play wasn’t great. Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza decided to check down to Washington on a play-action dropback, but the pass was intercepted and returned for an 80-yard touchdown. Texans LB Wade Woodaz made a great play on the ball. Washington possibly could have done a better job of maintaining spatial awareness and boxing Woodaz out, but the result of the play does not fall entirely on Washington’s shoulders. The rookie running back could offer standalone FLEX value this season. At worst, he is a high-upside stash.