Hold Tight On George Kittle To The End

I’m all-in on George Kittle this year.

A perennial top-5 TE going outside the top 100 picks. What’s not to like?

Alright, fine. I will quickly concede that there’s a fairly obvious thing not to like:

Kittle tore his right Achilles during the Niners’ playoff victory vs. the Eagles in January, and the average return for an NFL athlete following an Achilles repair is 11 months.

I’ve gotten plenty of pushback on my Kittle enthusiasm from smart people I respect for this very reason, but as of now, I’m not changing my mind on Kittle being a screaming value.

Here’s why:

Both he and the team have said he’s on track for Week 1 (even though making him fly to Australia doesn’t seem necessary)
He showed good stop/start ability and quick feet during recent drills at Tight End U
Kittle didn’t receive a typical surgery. Instead, he got the “SpeedBridge” technique from the same renowned surgeon who repaired the Achilles tendons of Cam Akers and Aaron Rodgers.

As FantasyFootyPT outlines here, both Akers and Rodgers made historically fast recoveries (4-5 months).

If Kittle is on a similar trajectory, he will have had more than enough time to recover for the start of the season (Week 1 would be 8 months post-op).

It’s fine to be skeptical about any player coming off an injury like this, but I would not be stubborn in this case. Kittle is an elite athlete who is ahead of schedule after receiving a special surgery with unprecedented results in a limited sample size.

The Kittle reward absolutely outweighs the risk with the information we have now.

I promise you will still be able to pick up a Cade Otton-ass TE if he does happen to miss a few weeks.

HOLD ON ANOTHER TE AT ADP

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Around the Watercooler

Your favorite football nerds are back and bringing you the latest news, content and memes from the NFL universe …

👀 When a team’s teardown happens, opportunity beckons.

💪 Even if you wait at QB, take a chance on this dual-threat.

🤫 My favorite late-round RB sleeper. The signs are there.

🤩 So much points to passing on this top RB. He’s so good, though.

🪓 Guillotine Leagues^TM rankings are different. Some players you just gotta pick higher up.

📈 The Browns have big plans for their new WRs. What does this mean for Jeudy?

🔔 This WR room is looking for a top target. For whom will the Bell toll?

⚖️ Will Rice get suspended? Here’s the latest.

🧐 When a tight end can be even a bad team’s top target … it demands inspection.

💧Can you dare drop this RB in dynasty? Could be a handcuff.

👎️ The Terrion Arnold news is awful. He turned himself in.

3 Tight End Battles To Watch

If Taylor Swift is doing an impromptu performance of one of her most popular songs in Nashville, it must be Tight End U week. That week when the TE position gets some of the spotlight that’s hogged by QBs, RBs and WRs during most of the season. We’ve grown to like it, too, even when Ms. Swift is not singing.

We’re giving the tight ends some shine this week, too, and here Kody Malstrom is featuring some training camp battles that need to be kept close tabs on as the season approaches. There’s one featuring a player who gave some pretty electric performances last season as a rookie. He got some company from a vet in free agency. The winner could be a prime target in a great offense. ⤵️

A PAIR OF YOUNG TIGHT ENDS READY FOR TAKEOFF

Plus more TE coverage:

💥 3 Tight End Breakout candidates

💤 TE Sleepers you’ll find in the late rounds.

The Beast Of Burden Bears Up At OTAs

We’ve heard so much hype and positive spin for Luther Burden this offseason, it gives pause to hear someone who’s not quite sold on the Year 2 WR for the Bears. Sure DJ Moore leaving Chicago will open up some targets in the Bears offense, but Justin Carlucci isn’t so sure that we could be seeing a WR1 season from the talented wideout.

Is it the target competition from Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland that’s making it hard to commit to the Burden breakout? Or something else? ⤵️

A ROOKIE IS GETTING SOME BUZZ

Run, King Henry! Run!

We know, we know. STAY AWAY FROM RUNNING BACKS OVER 30. But why does that not seem to apply to Derrick Henry? Fantasy managers will pass on him, fearing the cliff. Then they’ll throw things in disgust when he blows up in the fantasy playoffs and wins leagues for those brave enough to draft him. There’s that Lamar Jackson guy, too. He’s pretty good. Check out the Ravens preview with Ian and Dwain, and subscribe to the Fantasy Football is Life YouTube channel so you can catch every team preview. ⤵️

ZAY FLOWERS SZN?

Published Jun 26, 2026, 7:00 AM ET