Jordan

Reed

Reed, selected by Washington in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft, was among the league’s preeminent pass-catching tight ends before a frightening string of concussions hamstrung his career; he missed 53 games over his eight NFL seasons. He was fantasy football’s No. 3 tight end in 2015 when he caught 87 of 114 targets for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns, and was a serviceable spot starter for the 49ers in 2020 when George Kittle was sidelined. Reed heads into retirement at the tender age of 30.

Reed is now averaging 5.2 targets per game across his previous five contests but only has one day above 32 yards in that span. If George Kittle is out for the 49ers’ Week 16 matchup with the Cardinals, Reed would have some TE2 appeal. If he is able to return, Reed can safely be cut by fantasy managers.

Dwelley continues to run well behind Jordan Reed as the Niners’ TE1. He would be a fine waiver pickup if Reed misses time in the coming weeks. Otherwise, he shouldn’t be on fantasy rosters.

Reed couldn’t get anything going against his former team. Nick Mullens threw a couple “hospital balls” to Reed, who watched the passes sail high and wide. Reed is running more pass routes and seeing more targets than fellow Niners tight end Ross Dwelley. He should be a streaming option in Week 15 against the Cowboys.

Reed caught 3-of-4 targets for 32 yards and a late score against Buffalo. Dwelley caught both of his targets for 29 yards. Reed -- who has ten targets over his past two games -- is far and away the team’s primary pass catching tight end with George Kittle (foot) sidelined. Fantasy managers can continue deploying Reed as a streaming option in Week 14 against Washington.

Ross Dwelley was targeted twice with George Kittle still out of the lineup. Reed secured a garbage-time five-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to save his box score. He’ll be a back-end TE1/2 for Week 14 against Washington, his former team.

Reed drew six targets, catching two for 18 yards. Dwelley caught one of two targets for three yards. Nick Mullens missed a wide-open Reed in the first half on what would have been a long gain down the middle of the field -- an errant throw that had Reed fuming on the sideline afterward. Reed is far and away the preferred fantasy option among Niners tight ends until George Kittle returns to the lineup.

That makes back-to-back games with six targets for Reed since he returned to being a full-time player on passing downs. Although his overall production wasn’t impressive on Sunday, Week 13 sets up well considering the Bills have permitted the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing tight ends. He’ll be a top streamer off the waiver wire in that one.

Pass routes being an important metric for tight end usage in fantasy football, it’s good to see Reed further worked into the team’s offensive game plan. Reed lined up in the slot or outside on 23 of his 31 snaps, drawing six targets -- second on the team behind Brandon Aiyuk. Reed could be a reliable streaming option for as long as George Kittle (foot) is out.

Reed was the clear-cut pass catching tight end for the 49ers over Ross Dwelley; only Brandon Aiyuk saw more targets than Reed in Week 10. There’s a chance George Kittle won’t return this season, so Reed should be picked up in all tight end premium leagues and played as a streaming option in 12-teamers. Next week Reed will take on a Rams defense that allows 5.5 tight end receptions per game.