Tyler

Kroft

Bethel is a special teams expert who is set to enter his 11th NFL season. If he’s on a roster in 2023, it most likely won’t be the Dolphins, after the team made him a part of their cuts to trim the roster down to 53 players. In addition to Bethel, the Dolphins also released/waived WR Robbie Chosen, RB Myles Gaskin, DT Da’Shawn Hand, TE Tyler Kroft, CB Parry Nickerson, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, DB Jamal Perry, LB Malik Reed, CB Ethan Bonner, TE Tanner Conner, LB Cameron Goode, OT Ryan Hayes, TE Elijah Higgins, WR Braylon Sanders, CB Bryce Thompson, OL Alama Uluave, CB Trill Williams, and WR Daewood Davis.

Kroft, who has 105 receptions over seven NFL season, will join a crowded Miami tight end room alongside Durham Smythe, Tanner Conner, and Eric Saubert, and others. Once an analytics darling, Kroft, 30, served as a depth player in San Francisco last season. He has little chance of fantasy relevance with the Dolphins.

Kroft has been sidelined since suffering an MCL sprain back in Week 2. This limited practice puts him on track to return Sunday against the Falcons. He will not be a fantasy option in that matchup.

The second-year back will be out at least a few more weeks with the injury. Once he’s healthy he can work on trying to get some run behind Jeff Wilson in the 49ers backfield. Also inactive for the 49ers are TE Tyler Kroft (knee0, OL Daniel Brunskill (hamstring), DE Arik Armstead (foot), DE Kemoko Turay, and OL Nick Zakelj.

With George Kittle (groin) out Week 2 and Kroft injured midway through the game, Charlie Woerner and Ross Dwelley handled tight end duties. The good news for San Francisco is it sounds like Kittle is inching closer to a return, possibly making his season debut in Week 3.

Kroft drew the start for San Francisco with George Kittle sidelined in Week 2. He was not targeted before going down in the third quarter. Ross Dwelley is the next man up at tight end.

Splitting snaps with Ross Dwelley in George Kittle’s absence, Kroft actually got open for what should have been a 32-yard touchdown, but Trey Lance overthrew him. Kroft won’t be worth a TE2 dart throw if Kittle remains sidelined for Week 2 vs. the Seahawks.

Entering his eighth NFL season, Kroft played nine games for the Jets in 2021, managing 16 receptions for 173 yards and a touchdown on 25 targets. He’s now five years removed from his career 2017 season, in which he caught 42 passes and seven touchdowns for the Bengals. Kroft could have some fantasy appeal if George Kittle once again struggles with injuries in 2022.

The Falcons ran 12-personnel at one of the highest rates in the league last year but just lost Hayden Hurst in free agency. With Kyle Pitts playing a de facto receiver role, Hurst took on traditional tight end duties last year. Kroft would play a similar role if he signs with Atlanta. Kroft appeared in nine games last year, catching 16 passes for 173 yards and one score.

Off injured reserve two weeks ago after a stint with a chest injury, Kroft had caught five balls in two games in place of an injured Ryan Griffin. By now you know the spiel. If Kroft is vaccinated, he can still be activated in time for Sunday’s game against the Bucs, etc. etc. Even in tight end premium leagues, Kroft should not be on your radar for Weeks 17-18.