TE Oronde Gadsden II, LAC (1 Viewer)

[rockaction]

One thing with Gadsden...at 6'5", he's got the height to better use leverage if he can refine his blocking technique. I hope Gadsden doesn't purposefully put on a bunch of weight. I cringe when I see that...almost never works out.

Gadsden can certainly become a technician and get stronger, though. This kid has a real chance.

I was talking (maybe in this thread?) that physically he's got a better shot at becoming more filled out and probably has a little bit of an advantage than somebody like Fannin does because Gadsden II has two inches on Fannin, but I honestly don't know the guys and what that all means. Fannin did two more reps on the bench in a test. 225 lbs., I assume, 19 to 17.

 

[Football Jones]

One thing with Gadsden...at 6'5", he's got the height to better use leverage if he can refine his blocking technique. I hope Gadsden doesn't purposefully put on a bunch of weight. I cringe when I see that...almost never works out.

Gadsden can certainly become a technician and get stronger, though. This kid has a real chance.

I was talking (maybe in this thread?) that physically he's got a better shot at becoming more filled out and probably has a little bit of an advantage than somebody like Fannin does because Gadsden II has two inches on Fannin, but I honestly don't know the guys and what that all means. Fannin did two more reps on the bench in a test. 225 lbs., I assume, 19 to 17.

Yeah, height is a real advantage at almost all positions. Inches matter (that's what she said).

Bench press is a decent indicator of strength, but it doesn't necessarily tell you who is functionally stronger. People with shorter arms (in this case, Fannin relative to Gadsden) have a distinct advantage due to leverage and less bar travel. Also, I wouldn't doubt if Fannin is thicker front to back, giving him even more of an advantage on the bench press (even less travel).

Gadsden could have better functional strength than Fannin. In fact, Gadsden might have very good functional strength, which could be one of the reasons he's been able to improve his blocking at the pro level.

 

[rockaction]

One thing with Gadsden...at 6'5", he's got the height to better use leverage if he can refine his blocking technique. I hope Gadsden doesn't purposefully put on a bunch of weight. I cringe when I see that...almost never works out.

Gadsden can certainly become a technician and get stronger, though. This kid has a real chance.

I was talking (maybe in this thread?) that physically he's got a better shot at becoming more filled out and probably has a little bit of an advantage than somebody like Fannin does because Gadsden II has two inches on Fannin, but I honestly don't know the guys and what that all means. Fannin did two more reps on the bench in a test. 225 lbs., I assume, 19 to 17.

Yeah, height is a real advantage at almost all positions. Inches matter (that's what she said).

Bench press is a decent indicator of strength, but it doesn't necessarily tell you who is functionally stronger. People with shorter arms (in this case, Fannin relative to Gadsden) have a distinct advantage due to less bar travel. Also, I wouldn't doubt if Fannin is thicker front to back, giving him even more of an advantage on the bench press (even less travel).

Gadsden could have better functional strength than Fannin. In fact, Gadsden might have very good functional strength, which is why he's able to improve his blocking at the pro level.

Good point. I know bench isn't the sum of one's strength. It's just shorthand for strength because that's all we really have to go on. Fannin is thicker. I have long arms and always had a crappy bench, so I am aware of what you speak.

 

[Jail]

One thing that is clear about Gadsden is that he is more than willing to put in the work. He is VERY hungry to be the best. He works like crazy.

For this season I can definitely see his production being inconsistent. He’s got so much competition for targets. But the body type and athleticism is a perfect match for Herbert’s style.

It was great to see him play this weekend. His father was one of my favorites when he played with Marino on the dolphins. It was actually funny to see the names Gadsden II and Surtain II playing against each other when their fathers were both teammates for many years.

 

[DeaLerZ]

I miss having Antonio Gates on my teams.
I haven't owned a Charger TE since he retired.

This RC has my interest.

The good ole days.

 

[Chaka]

Yeah, my arms are too long...that's why I bench can press less than a cooked spaghetti noodle. Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs
Los Angeles Chargers rookie TE Oronde Gadsden II nearly doubled his route rate in his second game as a pro:

Week 3 - 28%
Week 4 - 50%

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1972440806796726549?s=61

 

[The Frankman]

Oronde Gadsden II caught 6-of-8 targets for 68 yards in the Chargers’ Week 6 win against the Dolphins.

Ladd McConkey was the only Chargers pass catcher to see more targets than Gadsden, who has taken over as the team’s primary pass-catching tight end over the past few weeks. Gadsden, who had just three receptions over his past two outings, logged a pass route on 32 of the Chargers’ 39 drop backs against Miami. He nearly caught a touchdown in the first half, and logged a fumble on an over-the-middle reception from Justin Herbert. Gadsden’s pass game involvement should make him a playable 12-team option in Week 7 against the Colts.
- Rotoworld

 

[Football Jones]

Not sure of Gadsden's snap count, but sounds like he played a lot, which is key with Dissly back.

I believe we have a legit, young FF TE here.

 

[Faust]

Adam Levitan
Exciting times for Round 5 rookie TE Oronde Gadsden. Entered college as a WR, moved to TE & went 73-934-7 for Syracuse in 2024.

Both Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin were active for #Chargers yesterday. Routes run on 39 JHerbert dropbacks:
1. Gadsden 30
2. Dissly 8
3. Conklin 0

https://x.com/adamlevitan/status/1977771510585839908?s=61

 

[TampaMike19]

Killing my Keenan Allen shares!

 

[Football Jones]

75% snap share with Dissly back and I saw them using Gadsden as a traditional Y when they were in 11 personnel.

Massive upside here.

 

[rockaction]

This is really good news. Hopefully they can block well enough to keep him on the field. I think Miami was really bad (I thought maybe the worst) at fantasy points given up to tight ends in my league (TE Prem of 1.5 per catch), so I wouldn’t go counting on him being a fixture just yet. Oh, I looked it up. Miami is 23rd now, so there are twenty-two better and nine teams worse, which isn’t too awful or makes Miami too easy to score points on. They average 19.22 and LA scored 17.50 with Oronde having 15.30 (17.30 minus a lost fumble) and Dissly having 2.20.

But 23rd isn’t all that ridiculous. I was more worried about the fumble and I hope that doesn’t happen again because Harbaugh won’t abide that too often.

 

[King of the Jungle]

Holy moly…wish I would have grabbed this dude.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Wow.

6-156-1T

Didn’t see that coming.

 

[Terpman22]

Erupting today.

Actually started him in one dyno

Feeling nice

 

[rockaction]

Wow.

6-156-1T

Didn’t see that coming.

I am going to say that I did (well, I had him having a good game and a very good one). I have to start 2 TE and 1 RB or 2 RB and 1TE, so I started him over Jonnu, Hunter Long (big deal), Bam Knight, and Kendre Miller. I would have started him over Goedert if pressed.

Not a murderer’s row but I genuinely believed he’d be a very big scorer because Indy was going to definitely score. I didn’t think it would get this ridiculous in TE Prem, but here we are.

He just made another catch. Probably 7-165-1 now. Jeez.

 

[rockaction]

Thanks for the thumbs up and not saying, “yeah, you jack you-know-what”

Heh. I drafted this guy with the last pick of our rookie draft in early May, and I’m pretty happy with the results. I had no picks in the draft and I was to be apathetic about it, but I got an offer and immediately dropped what I had going on, woke my butt up, and lucked into acquiring the 6.03 and 6.12 because the guys that I still wanted—Oronde and Bill (Jacory Croskey-Merritt)—were still on the board. It will never work out like that again; nor will I draft guys that work out in the pros like these guys have so far, but it’s nice to be prepared and whole metric ton of lucky.

eta* And I sure am repeating this story a bunch. I think I ought check where it is and just be a little quieter.

 

[heckmanm]

Erupting today.

Actually started him in one dyno

Feeling nice

Same due to byes and injuries. Nice surprise

 

[Football Jones]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

 

[Pickle Rody]

Grabbed him for free after waivers ran, got him early this morning and started him.

Happy I am.

 

[JohnnyU]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

 

[Football Jones]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Well, obviously. No TE does that every game.

He's got a chance to be a good one, though.

 

[Uncle Leo]

A owner picked him this week over Henry and Engram. I was like what’s he thinking. Maybe that’s why I’m about to be 3-4.

 

[Football Jones]

Just saw the highlights. Gadsden made some nice catches and had a ton of RAC.

Besides the talent, another reason I'm high on him is his situation. He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

 

[scothawk]

I see a guy in dynasty who is a great back up for your weekly team,

Lets see how he goes.

But this team has so many good receivers I dont see him as starter on a weekly basis

 

[LawFitz]

Heh-roh ruv!!!

 

[Footballdaz]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Says the Johnston owner

 

[Faust]

Dwain McFarland
Oronde Gadsden II: Routes & Fantasy Points by Week

Week 3: 28%, 9.6
Week 4: 50%, 3.6
Week 5: 64%, 2.4
Week 6: 77%, 11.8
Week 7: 77%, 29.4

Sicko.

https://x.com/dwainmcfarland/status/1980069851424227509?s=61

 

[Footballdaz]

I miss having Antonio Gates on my teams.
I haven't owned a Charger TE since he retired.

This RC has my interest.

The good ole days.

Was just thinking the same. I won several championships with Gates leading the way.
I'll take 3/4 of Gates production out of him.
Back to back good games.
No reason it shouldn't continue.
I think Johnston's drop issues have now turned Gadsdens into the guy people thought Johnston was

 

[JohnnyU]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Says the Johnston owner

Not a QJ owner, but I do have Gadsden in a couple of leagues and McConkey in a few. It's nice to see Gadsden break out and I hope it continues.

 

[BearsFan4Life]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Says the Johnston owner

Not a QJ owner, but I do have Gadsden in a couple of leagues and McConkey in a few. It's nice to see Gadsden break out and I hope it continues.

With McBride on a bye week 8, I have the choice of Kelce, Jonnu or Gadsden. Leaning Gadsden after yesterday but I hate Thursday night games.

 

[Footballdaz]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Says the Johnston owner

Not a QJ owner, but I do have Gadsden in a couple of leagues and McConkey in a few. It's nice to see Gadsden break out and I hope it continues.

With McBride on a bye week 8, I have the choice of Kelce, Jonnu or Gadsden. Leaning Gadsden after yesterday but I hate Thursday night games.

You'll be keeping him after Thursday game

 

[BearsFan4Life]

You could see this developing.

It's early, but we just might have found a stud TE.

Still a lot of mouths to feed. Don’t expect this most of the time.

Says the Johnston owner

Not a QJ owner, but I do have Gadsden in a couple of leagues and McConkey in a few. It's nice to see Gadsden break out and I hope it continues.

With McBride on a bye week 8, I have the choice of Kelce, Jonnu or Gadsden. Leaning Gadsden after yesterday but I hate Thursday night games.

You'll be keeping him after Thursday game

Its dynasty so have him and keeping him regardless .. Nice that I grabbed Fannin and Gadsden off FA after draft (Thank you Shark Pool)!!!

 

[menobrown]

Man this one is tough for me to take.

Drafted him in 2 TEP dynasty leagues. Cut him after week 1. After his initial break out game I was outbid trying to get him back.

In redraft, all TEP, I bought him all over after that initial breakout game. On average dropped 12-15% of my allotment. He was my second most owned player, by a lot.

After a few weeks I started feeling like I stupidly took the bait and over reacted to that one game. Cut him in 11 leagues, held in just one. Was cutting him for TE’s like Sanders, Waller, Theo Johnson.

Fact I started him in that one league yesterday is only thing helping me keep it together. Sick about it all, might be my worst waiver wire handling of all time.

 

[heckmanm]

I "had to" flex him in with Puka, Downs and Kincaid all unavailable. Better to be lucky than good sometimes.

 

[Hot Sauce Guy]

I "had to" flex him in with Puka, Downs and Kincaid all unavailable. Better to be lucky than good sometimes.

Always.

 

[rockaction]

Man this one is tough for me to take.

Drafted him in 2 TEP dynasty leagues. Cut him after week 1. After his initial break out game I was outbid trying to get him back.

In redraft, all TEP, I bought him all over after that initial breakout game. On average dropped 12-15% of my allotment. He was my second most owned player, by a lot.

After a few weeks I started feeling like I stupidly took the bait and over reacted to that one game. Cut him in 11 leagues, held in just one. Was cutting him for TE’s like Sanders, Waller, Theo Johnson.

Fact I started him in that one league yesterday is only thing helping me keep it together. Sick about it all, might be my worst waiver wire handling of all time.

Don't feel so bad. I've begun to think about it and I'm not sure I love his situation as much as I did last night. There was a euphoria about it. I do think Harbaugh has changed and isn't trying to run everybody out of the building. He will find a pretty good balance. Right now, they throw a ton. That's just something to keep in mind. They have three quality receivers and one that Matt Harmon watched and really liked a lot (Tre Harris subbed for Johnston and played a variety of WR roles—Harbaugh gave him a freaking game ball for his blocking). There's a bunch of mouths there.

 

[Football Jones]

I look at it like every team has mouths to feed, but do they have someone who commands the ball. The Chargers don't. Gadsden is their top receiving TE and if he keeps stacking good games, he has a chance to become their go-to receiver. They have several good WRs, but not an elite one and none of their RBs are top pass-catchers.

It's early, but things are looking good for Gadsden in both snap share (79% this week) and production. There'll still be some down games, though. It happens to everyone.

 

[the moops]

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

 

[hamsterdam]

Something tells me a 5th round rookie TE getting this many opportunities means Harbaugh and the coaching staff really like / believe in this dude. Herbert clearly does. Whole lotta smoke here

 

[Football Jones]

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

I can't take it, lol. The curiosity is killing me. Who is their elite WR?

 

[runner06]

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

I can't take it, lol. The curiosity is killing me. Who is their elite WR

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

I can't take it, lol. The curiosity is killing me. Who is their elite WR?

I think Ladd McConkey has been considered a top 12 to 15 dynasty WR by some in fantasy football.

 

[Football Jones]

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

I can't take it, lol. The curiosity is killing me. Who is their elite WR

He's got the right dynamic to be a top FF TE with a quality QB and no elite WR. It makes for the right ingredients.

I can't take it, lol. The curiosity is killing me. Who is their elite WR?

I think Ladd McConkey has been considered a top 12 to 15 dynasty WR by some in fantasy football.

That's a little rich for me, but I'm talking about stud WRs putting up big-time numbers. Allen/Johnston/McConkey are good, but a tier or two away from the best WRs.

Without an elite go-to WR, a stud TE can more easily emerge. It's just something I look at when evaluating a TEs situation. They could get a premier WR down the road, but Gadsden could be established by then.

 

[Instinctive]

Man this one is tough for me to take.

Drafted him in 2 TEP dynasty leagues. Cut him after week 1. After his initial break out game I was outbid trying to get him back.

In redraft, all TEP, I bought him all over after that initial breakout game. On average dropped 12-15% of my allotment. He was my second most owned player, by a lot.

After a few weeks I started feeling like I stupidly took the bait and over reacted to that one game. Cut him in 11 leagues, held in just one. Was cutting him for TE’s like Sanders, Waller, Theo Johnson.

Fact I started him in that one league yesterday is only thing helping me keep it together. Sick about it all, might be my worst waiver wire handling of all time.

Every year I try to come up with a process that works. Is it better to take a stance and be patient, or to be at the edge of the curve and jump first?

I find the only consistency is it's better to be right. And the best time to be right is yesterday, next best time is right now.

Idk if I'm actually performing any better, but psychologically I feel better just sticking to my evals a little longer. I've been operating with a "grab guys who blow up in first start if talent seems there" and otherwise hold guys for a while strategy lately.

 

[jobarules]

I look at it like every team has mouths to feed, but do they have someone who commands the ball. The Chargers don't. Gadsden is their top receiving TE and if he keeps stacking good games, he has a chance to become their go-to receiver. They have several good WRs, but not an elite one and none of their RBs are top pass-catchers.

It's early, but things are looking good for Gadsden in both snap share (79% this week) and production. There'll still be some down games, though. It happens to everyone.

Yeah i disagree completely. They have an elite route runner, an elite possession wr, and an elite red zone weapon

 

[jobarules]

Anyway as someone who is desperate for wins and already has Warren, I might go all in on him this week. Need a flex desperately.

 

[Football Jones]

I look at it like every team has mouths to feed, but do they have someone who commands the ball. The Chargers don't. Gadsden is their top receiving TE and if he keeps stacking good games, he has a chance to become their go-to receiver. They have several good WRs, but not an elite one and none of their RBs are top pass-catchers.

It's early, but things are looking good for Gadsden in both snap share (79% this week) and production. There'll still be some down games, though. It happens to everyone.

Yeah i disagree completely. They have an elite route runner, an elite possession wr, and an elite red zone weapon

That wasn't my distinction. They absolutely don't have an elite WR.

Allen...back in the day? Sure.

 

[Footballdaz]

We had rookie Bowers and McBride carry teams in TE spot last year. This year it's Warren and Gadsden..

I don't think back to back great weeks for Gadsden is a fluke.
Best of all the coaches and Herbert have TRUST him.. His target share going nowhere.

Keep in mind Allen gets injured every year, usually 2nd half of season when he wears down. I know ya can't predict injury. But still...

 

[Instinctive]

We had rookie Bowers and McBride carry teams in TE spot last year. This year it's Warren and Gadsden..

I don't think back to back great weeks for Gadsden is a fluke.
Best of all the coaches and Herbert have TRUST him.. His target share going nowhere.

Keep in mind Allen gets injured every year, usually 2nd half of season when he wears down. I know ya can't predict injury. But still...

McBride wasn't a rookie