OrondeGadsden

News: 3 days agoGadsden secured five of eight targets for 36 yards and recorded a two-yard carry during Sunday's 30-23 defeat in Seattle.

Spin: With position mates David Njoku (fibula) on IR and Charlie Kolar (forearm) sidelined the last two contests, Gadsden has had uneven results, posting a bagel on three targets in Week 3 at Buffalo before Sunday's season-best performance. Gadsden likely was helped this week by the early exit of No. 1 WR Ladd McConkey (foot), but the former's efficiency (9.5 YPC, 5.7 YPT) has been lacking in a floundering Chargers offense so far this season. In any case, for as long as Njoku and Kolar are out of the lineup, Gadsden shouldn't have a problem leading the team's TEs in most receiving categories.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Gadsden's rookie season was quite the roller coaster. The 2025 fifth-round pick didn't get much early run prior to exploding for 29.4 fantasy points in Week 7 and 18.7 points in Week 8. He went on to score one touchdown and average 6.2 fantasy PPG the rest of the season, never clearing 12.2 points in a single outing. Gadsden finished the season eighth or better at the position in end zone targets, aDOT, YPR, YPT and YPRR. The 23-year-old's second-half fall is concerning, and he now enters Year 2 set to compete for work with newcomer David Njoku and Charlie Kolar. It's still possible Gadsden emerges as a featured target in new playcaller Mike McDaniel's offense, but consistent fantasy output may be tough in an offense that figures to spread the ball around. Gadsden is only worth stashing in dynasty.