Chig

Okonkwo

Okonkwo, who in March signed a three-year deal worth up to $30 million, has been an offensive highlight for Washington under first-year OC David Blough. “He has rare speed and versatility, and his knack for collecting yards after the catch only adds to his appeal,” Jhabvala said, adding that the Commanders could “use a heavy dose of multiple tight end sets” under Blough this season. While last year in Tennessee was a down season for Okonkwo — he ranked 30th among tight ends in yards per route run — he has proven to be efficient in the past. Over four seasons with the Titans he was targeted on 19 percent of his pass routes. Okonkwo could be a 12-team fantasy option in 2026 if Jayden Daniels stays healthy.

It’s possible depending on how deep the Commanders wideout room is and how the (seemingly inevitable) Brandon Aiyuk signing works out that Okonkwo could be a featured player for the pass offense in 2026. But after four years failing to crack 600 yards, we’re skeptical that it will happen in a new arena. He’ll likely remain at least a mid-range fantasy TE2 for the Commanders. It’s a good real-life signing given the fact that Zach Ertz hit free agency with an ACL tear regardless of how his fantasy status ultimately plays out.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that the team is seeking “difference-makers” in free agency this offseason. Keim notes that the Commanders are expected to aggressively pursue players at edge rusher, wide receiver and cornerback before singling out Okonkwo as a potential target at tight end. Commanders TE Zach Ertz tore an ACL last year and is scheduled to hit free agency, freeing up the primary receiving tight end role.

He did, however, say that he wants to stay in Tennessee. Okonkwo turned his three grabs into 55 yards and a score last week. That put him at a 54/558/3 receiving line on the year. All three of those numbers are either new career-highs for Okonkwo or at least tie his previous high-water mark. Okonkwo may never hit the next gear for fantasy purposes, but he’s a capable start who works well with the ball in his hands. He should have no issues finding a multi-year contract as a free agent in the spring.

Okonkwo broke free for a 43-yard score at the top of the second quarter by bull-rushing through Saints corner Kool-Aid McKinstry after securing a short toss from Cam Ward. The one play alone put him over 40 yards with a score for the second week in a row. Backup tight end Gunnar Helm was only targeted twice. He caught just one pass. Okonkwo will remain in the TE2 mix for his Week 18 date with the Jags.

Okonkwo led the Titans in catches on an afternoon where Cam Ward took another modest but legitimate step forward. His score was a seven-yarder on a shovel pass. The Titans’ most consistent compiler this season, Okonkwo has now caught at least four passes three of the past four weeks, but spiked weeks have not been a thing. This is a low-ceiling offense, one where Ward is really spreading the ball around. That means Okonkwo will keep maxing out as a low-upside TE2 for the fantasy finals against the Saints.

Okonkwo led the team in targets, but that’s mainly because the Titans seem to only want to run screen passes, which leads to plenty of targets for their tight ends and running backs. Okonkwo did have a nice 17-yard catch and run in the first half, where he broke a few tackles, but this is not a role that provides consistent fantasy value.

Still yet to score this season, Okonkwo continues to pair the most modest of floors with the most nonexistent of ceilings. That will not change during the fantasy playoffs, leaving Okonkwo out of sight, out of mind in both re-draft and DFS fantasy.

Okonkwo has been playing through a foot injury the last few weeks and still leads the Titans in receptions and receiving yards on the season. His 29 yards make him the first Titans pass-catcher to cross the lowly 400 receiving yards mark for the season. Rookie Gunnar Helm has eaten into Okonkwo’s workload but the Titans’ current passing offense utilizes both tight ends before it does wide receivers. Okonkwo is a low-end TE2 moving forward.

Elic Ayomanor, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, is also expected to suit up. Okonkwo has been losing work to Gunnar Helm lately, with the rookie tight end going for 51 yards on six grabs last week. Okokwo has caught more than three passes once in his past five games. Ayomanor scored twice in the first three weeks of the season and has since gone quiet. He has seen plenty of targets and air yards as of late, but Cam Ward’s struggles have drained the fantasy value from this offense. Neither Ayomanor nor Okonkwo should make it into fantasy lineups this week.