Stone

Smartt

With Mason Taylor (neck) sidelined, Smartt led Jets tight ends in targets and receptions while running a pass route on 19 of the team’s 45 drop backs. He got open often in the second half, serving as a welcome safety valve for QB Brady Cook. Smartt could have some deep league value in Week 17 against the Patriots if Taylor remains sidelined.

Ruckert, who last week signed a two-year contract extension with the Jets, was second among New York tight ends in receptions, as Stone Smartt caught all five of his targets for 34 yards. Mason Taylor missed the game with a neck injury. Ruckert led all Jets tight ends with 25 pass routes on the day; Stone had 19 routes and the second most targets among Jets pass catchers. Ruckert should remain on waiver wires ahead of Week 17.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that it sounds like Taylor’s quad injury is not considered “major” and that the rookie has not been ruled out for Week 8 against the Bengals. This is hardly a ringing endorsement for the rookie tight end’s health, though. Friday’s injury report should clarify his status. The Jets receiving corps is also likely to be without WR Garrett Wilson (knee). Backup TE Stone Smartt is also sidelined by a quad injury of his own.

Is Stone Smartt going to be a thing? While the Jets could still do more to address their tight end room, last year’s leading pass-catcher at the position, Tyler Conklin, remains a free agent. Smartt came on late last season for the Chargers, catching 16 passes for 208 yards on 19 targets. The former college QB has spent the last three seasons honing his tight end skills. His brief flashes may be enough to earn him an increased role in 2025 if he can impress in camp. As it stands now he’d battle third-round disappointment Jeremy Ruckert for a starting role.

Dissly returned to the Chargers’ lineup after missing the last three weeks with a shoulder injury. He tallied three targets, catching two for 21 yards. Working in tandem with him was Stone Smartt, who caught both of his targets for 23 yards, including a big fourth-down grab. The Chargers value both Dissly and Smartt as pass-catchers, though both being involved means neither is a stable fantasy target heading into Week 18 and the playoffs.

Dissly was forced from play in Week 14, facilitating two top 15 PPR finishes for Stone Smartt over the last three weeks. With Dissly back in the lineup, Smartt returns to dynasty-bench-stash mode and can be dropped from re-draft rosters. Hayden Hurst (illness) is questionable to play but his status is only mildly impactful. Dissly is a low-end TE1 streaming option.

Dissly is still working his way back from the shoulder injury he suffered in Week 14. Initial reports had him missing a couple of weeks, so this isn’t much of a surprise. Stone Smarrt will draw the start versus Denver. Smartt caught 5-of-6 targets for 50 yards in Week 15 and went for 54 yards in the previous game. He is a mid-range TE2 for Week 16.

Smartt played very well against the Buccaneers, efficiently earning targets and picking yardage. He was used as both a short-field weapon and as a field-stretcher, earning one such target 20-plus yards downfield. Fantasy managers can again use Smartt as a TE1 streamer against the Broncos on Thursday night, as he continues auditioning for the 2025 starting role.

Dissly was forced from the team’s Sunday Night Football loss to the Chiefs in Week 14 with a shoulder injury. Per Schultz, initial testing revealed an injury significant enough to hold him out in the coming weeks. Journeyman Stone Smartt filled in for Dissly in the second half and stands to benefit the most from the former’s absence. He could be an option for fantasy managers in a bind at one of the most top-heavy positions in football.

The Chargers enter their divisional matchup against the Broncos with a relatively healthy roster. After failing to find the end zone in last week’s contest against the Patriots, Justin Herbert and company will hope to find more success in a game that’s a must-win for both teams as they look to hold on to any hopes of a playoff berth.