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Kieft

The phrasing suggests Kieft still has to sign on the dotted line, but the news comes straight from a post on Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht’s social media account and includes an image of Kieft dressed as a pirate, piloting a ship. The image may be the most exciting part of Kieft’s 2026 season—he failed to a target over the last two years—but we are happy for him nonetheless. The veteran tight end also suffered a season-ending leg fracture in Week 3 last year. Kieft should not be drafted in fantasy.

Kieft doesn’t have any targets this year but has been on the field for 14 percent of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps, serving primarily as a blocker. He also pitches in frequently on special teams. Backup tight end Payne Durham could see a few more snaps each week with Kieft out of the picture.

Kieft interestingly saw Baker Mayfield’s first two targets of the game in Week 1. He also got a red zone target, with all three targets coming in the first half. Kieft is not fantasy relevant, but it is interesting to note that he split targets with Cade Otton heading into Week 2 against the Bears.

The Bucs drafted Otton, who missed offseason workouts recovering from ankle surgery, as a hedge to Rob Gronkowski’s retirement. With Gronkowski not returning, there’s “potential for him to be the tight end the Bucs keep on the field most,” according to Smith. Bucs TE Cameron Brate averaged under four targets and 70% of snaps in three starts for Gronkowski last year and is an inferior blocker to Otton, an every-down tight end and Day 1 starter at Washington. Otton will be eight months removed from surgery for the start of training camp.

They surrendered picks 235 and 261 in the 2002 draft to the Rams. Kieft has memorable hair and his last name rhymes with “beefed,” so he’s sure to become a fan favorite. With 12 career catches for Minnesota, he profiles as a blocking tight end for the Bucs at the next level. Cade Otton will have the inside track for two tight end sets if Rob Gronkowski doesn’t return, but Kieft could factor in to the mix in goal line or special teams situations.

Kieft (6'5/265) was among the many offensive linemen/tight ends who were sidelined in recent weeks, and the exact reason for those absences remains unknown. The redshirt senior is one of two tight ends who will be back in the fold, as Bryce Witham has also been cleared to play. Brevyn Spann-Ford is also in the mix, and that trio will split the tight end reps with Jake Paulson (undisclosed) being sidelined.

Kieft (6'5/265) started the Golden Gophers’ season opener vs. Michigan, but was held out of last weekend’s loss at Maryland due to an undisclosed injury. With the redshirt senior set to miss a second straight game, redshirt sophomore Brevyn Spann-Ford’s reps will increase. Kieft caught two passes for 29 yards and a touchdown in the loss to Michigan.