RADIO
Charlie Kolar Has Fantasy Appeal in Deeper Leagues in Week 1
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar is coming off a strong offseason filled with under-the-radar hype after signing a lucrative three-year, $24.3 million contract in free agency. The 27-year-old was named the TE1 on the team's first unofficial depth chart over David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden II and saw limited work during preseason games with the rest of the offensive starters. Kolar is RotoBaller's PPR TE32 heading into Week 1 and should remain out of lineups in standard 12-team leagues. However, he is a sneaky touchdown-dependent tight end option with upside in deep tight end premium leagues. Kolar will face a Cardinals defense that allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (31), ninth-most completions (375), 10th-most passing yards (4,128), and the 11th-highest completion percentage (65.6) last season. In a favorable matchup, he could have a productive fantasy outing and is a name to monitor on waivers to begin the year.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
David Njoku Generating Positive Camp Buzz For Chemistry and Athleticism
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku, who was brought over in the offseason from the Cleveland Browns, has generated positive buzz throughout training camp for his athleticism and chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert. Njoku joins a crowded tight end room with Charlie Kolar and Oronde Gadsden. Njoku has dealt with injuries over the past few seasons, playing in only 11 and 12 games over the past seasons after he finished as the TE6 overall in 2023. In 2024, he finished as the TE4 in fantasy points per game, while 2025 was a lost season, as he only had 293 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 33 receptions. While the 30-year-old is getting up there in age, with a new offensive scheme with Mike McDaniel and an improved offensive ecosystem, he profiles as a tight end worth monitoring. He is currently RotoBaller's 37th-ranked tight end, meaning he likely wasn't drafted in many drafts throughout the summer.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Still Has a Path to Fantasy Value
Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is already cautioning fantasy managers against reading too much into how his tight ends are used in Week 1. McDaniel said Thursday that it "might not be the smartest move" to make fantasy decisions after one game, adding that the group is going to grow and the Chargers will be able to do plenty with them. Oronde Gadsden is the name fantasy managers will be watching most closely. He caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie, but Los Angeles added both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku during the offseason. The Chargers' first unofficial depth chart has Kolar or Njoku starting, with Gadsden behind them. Kolar was brought in largely for what he can add as a blocker, while Njoku gives Justin Herbert another proven receiving option. That makes this a crowded room, but McDaniel's comments are another reason not to make a quick call on Gadsden based solely on Sunday's opener against Arizona. His rookie production is still worth betting on while the Chargers figure out how all three tight ends fit.
Source: Kris Rhim
Source: Kris Rhim
Charlie Kolar Emerging as Early-Season Riser
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar signed a three-year, $24.3 million contract with the Bolts this offseason, and the former Raven is atop the depth chart heading into his first season with the team. Kolar earned his way to the top spot due to his skills as both a blocker and receiver, which he showed throughout training camp and the preseason. He is ahead of both Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku, who are more proven pass-catchers but may be limited this year behind Kolar. In his first four seasons with the Ravens, Kolar only had 30 catches on 41 targets for 409 yards and four touchdowns, but his complete skill set at the position has earned him enough playing time to make him a player to monitor early in the season, especially if you're looking for emerging tight end depth in deep leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Kolar Listed as Chargers' Starting Tight End
The Los Angeles Chargers have listed Charlie Kolar as the No. 1 tight end on their depth chart as they get set for their Week 1 matchup this Sunday, Sept. 13, against the Arizona Cardinals. Oronde Gadsden is listed behind Kolar, followed by David Njoku, Scott Matlock, and Evan Svoboda. It was clear from the outset that the Bolts had big plans for Kolar in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's scheme when they signed him to a three-year, $24.3 million contract in free agency in March. Despite catching only 30 of his 41 targets for 409 yards and four touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, the 27-year-old has a complete skill set at the position that the Chargers clearly value. Kolar is ahead of Gadsden on the depth chart for now, but it does not necessarily mean that he will become a must-start at the position in fantasy football leagues. For now, Kolar is an option for a waiver-wire pickup in deeper leagues for managers in need of TE depth. He is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Chargers.com
Source: Chargers.com
Oronde Gadsden's Stock Falling Due to Uncertain Role in Los Angeles
A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden was a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers during his rookie season. Across 15 games (seven starts), the 23-year-old recorded 49 catches for 664 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets. Despite the encouraging rookie campaign, Gadsden's fantasy value has fallen over the course of the summer. The Chargers added a pair of veteran tight ends in the offseason in Charlie Kolar and David Njoku, both of whom may currently be above Gadsden on the team's depth chart due to their superior skill set as blockers. Los Angeles also has plenty of target competition for Gadsden in its wide receiver corps between wideouts Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Tre' Harris. While Gadsden still carries some upside, his lack of a clear role in the Chargers offense makes him a player for redraft managers to avoid ahead of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Kolar a Deep-League Sleeper Target Following Strong Camp
After spending the first four years of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, veteran tight end Charlie Kolar is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2026. Kolar saw very limited usage as a receiver during his time in Baltimore, recording just 30 receptions and four touchdowns across 47 games. In Los Angeles, Kolar could play a similar role as the blocking complement to the Chargers' receiving-focused tight ends Oronde Gadsden and David Njoku. However, Kolar has drawn strong reviews for his work in training camp, and he could be carving out a sizable role in his new team's offense. Given Kolar's extremely limited pass-catching track record, it's too early to prioritize him in fantasy drafts. Still, managers may want to consider him as a deep-league sleeper name to monitor entering 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Falling Down Draft Boards Due to Added Competition
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden impressed in 2025, finishing as the TE17 and hauling in 49 of his 69 targets for 664 yards (13.6 yards per catch) and three touchdowns. He was the most explosive tight end in football with a 131.3 explosive rating, and while he was very efficient and productive, his blocking limitations and the addition of David Njoku and Charlie Kolar are making it more difficult for him to find playing time or to increase his snap share. Additionally, in most of the Chargers' preseason games, Gadsden often played with the backups. Gadsden may be an explosive option in specific passing situations, but it's possible we'll see his 61.4 percent snap share, which was 28th in the NFL last season, continue to decline with the additional tight ends in the room. RotoBaller ranks Gadsden as the TE31 on the season, making him a clear fade in all one-tight-end formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Continues to See His Fantasy Stock Drop
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had two catches for 24 yards on three targets in his team's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night. Most notably, Gadsden did not see a snap with the first-team unit, as Charlie Kolar and David Njoku took all of those snaps. Gadsden only played with the backups and caught a target from Trey Lance and DJ Uiagalelei. The 23-year-old produced as a solid fantasy option as a rookie, which had managers excited to see him in his sophomore campaign. However, with training camp reports and his preseason usage, that excitement has come to a screeching halt. With Gadsden playing well into the second half with the No. 3 quarterback, it will be interesting to see how much he plays in the regular season.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
David Njoku Does Not See a Target in Chargers Debut
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku saw no targets in his limited action in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Njoku shared the field with fellow tight end Charlie Kolar in 12-personnel sets during the first few drives of the game. After a handful of plays, Njoku was removed from the game with other starters. Njoku may not have seen a target in his limited action, but he played with the first-team offense and only one series with backup quarterback Trey Lance. His usage could point towards a key role in the offense during the regular season. Managers should continue to monitor the Chargers' tight end room before investing in Njoku. He is currently being drafted outside the top 20 tight ends in fantasy but has interesting upside.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Charlie Kolar Catches Lone Target in Preseason Loss
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar caught his lone target in Thursday's 41-17 preseason loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His catch was the only completion Justin Herbert had that went for nine yards. Kolar saw limited action in his Chargers debut and was removed from the game with most of the starters. The 27-year-old has had a strong camp so far, and his limited action could signify a key role in the Chargers offense. If Kolar becomes that pass-catching tight end, he is going too late in fantasy drafts and will have a good opportunity to outperform his ADP. Kolar is a sneaky TE2 option with upside for managers to target in deeper leagues late in drafts.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
David Njoku Hard to Trust in Crowded Tight End Room
Los Angeles Chargers tight end David Njoku landed with a much better quarterback this offseason, but the fantasy setup around him is a lot less comfortable. Njoku caught 33 passes for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games for Cleveland last season, well below the 81-882-6 line he posted in 2023. Justin Herbert gives him a chance to rebound, especially near the goal line, where 26 of Njoku's 34 career touchdowns have come. The problem is finding enough work between the 20s. Oronde Gadsden II is coming off a 49-catch, 664-yard rookie season, Charlie Kolar was added in free agency, and the Chargers' first unofficial depth chart lists all three with an OR designation at tight end. Njoku has flashed in the red zone during camp, but there still isn't much separation in this group. RotoBaller has him at TE33 in half-PPR. The quarterback upgrade is real, but without a clearer route and target advantage, Njoku looks more like a touchdown-dependent TE3 than someone to trust in standard redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oronde Gadsden Gets Limited Action in Preseason Opener
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Oronde Gadsden had two catches for 21 yards on three targets in Thursday's 27-7 victory over the Houston Texans in their preseason opener. Gadsden's lone drop came in the end zone when officials ruled him out of bounds before he completed the catch. The 23-year-old played three offensive drives during the game, but more importantly, he was the only tight end in the potential rotation to play. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar were both held out of the game as the Chargers opted to rest most of their key starters and veterans. This could be the first sign of how the team values the tight end group and how they plan to utilize each of them this season. It will be worth keeping tabs on how much each tight end in that three-man rotation plays during the preseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Charlie Kolar a Player on the Rise
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Charlie Kolar was one of the first players the team added in free agency, and while his biggest strength has always come as a blocker, he has a chance to thrive in a Mike McDaniel offense projected to see a lot of multiple-tight-end sets. NFL Daily Podcast's Gregg Rosenthal visited Chargers camp on Wednesday and made note of Kolar's heavy usage, adding that the team's unique personnel allows McDaniel to run just about anything he can think of. Kolar was listed as a co-starter on the team's first unofficial depth chart, along with David Njoku and Oronde Gadsden, and it should come as no surprise if all three regularly find the field at the same time and contribute in the passing game, creating a fantasy floor for all, but a much murkier upside case. Kolar is not a player who needs to be drafted in 2026 lineup leagues, but could at least warrant a late-round dart throw in deeper best ball formats.
Source: Gregg Rosenthal
Source: Gregg Rosenthal
Oronde Gadsden Listed as Co-Starter on First Unofficial Depth Chart
The Los Angeles Chargers released their first unofficial depth chart on Sunday ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans, and tight end Oronde Gadsden is listed as a co-starter along with both Charlie Kolar and David Njoku. The "or" designation is used throughout the lineup, including at running back where both Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal are listed in the primary backup spot, but with the highest statistical upside of the tight end group, fantasy managers are likely looking for more signs of encouragement surrounding Gadsden after he spent much of the early offseason as a popular breakout candidate. The second-year tight end was candid in recent remarks to the media about needing to improve as a blocker, and with Kolar and Njoku both excelling in that area, Gadsden could be hard-pressed to make consistent contributions in 2026, and he enters the year as RotoBaller's TE20.
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
Source: Los Angeles Chargers
