Darren

Fells

The Buccaneers plan to promote Fells in time for Sunday’s game against Washington. Normally, the Buccaneers signing a veteran tight end to the practice squad might not be particularly newsworthy, but Rob Gronkowski is dealing with back spasms, and his Week 10 availability is likely to have been a motivating factor for the Buccaneers here. Even if Fells sees significant playing time, he is expected to operate as a blocker and can be left on the waiver wire.

Fells asked for his release and the Lions granted it. The veteran saw five targets in seven games with Detroit this season while playing 28.4 percent of the team’s snaps. A useful streaming option during his time with Houston, Fells could fall into some targets if he lands with a tight end needy team.

Campbell’s Friday comments on his star tight end paint a far bleaker picture than Hockensen’s limited practice participation on Thursday. Hockensen, however, was at practice Friday morning. Hockensen should be able to suit up Sunday against Minnesota. Darren Fells, who out-targeted Hockensen two weeks ago against the Ravens, would presumably be the team’s No. 1 tight end if Hockensen were sidelined. D’Andre Swift could be in line for a couple more short targets if Hockensen is out.

Baltimore’s defense took Hockensen away as Jared Goff’s main target. In fact, Lions TE Darren Fells saw more targets (3) than Hockensen on the day. It’s enough to make Hockensen drafters nauseous. Fantasy managers need not worry about their tight end though. Most weeks, the Lions will be forced into pass-heavy game scripts that will inflate Hockensen’s targets. He’ll be a TE1, as per usual, next week against Chicago.

The move would appear for the moment to leave the Lions with only TJ Hockenson at tight end on the 53, and Detroit beat writers are already speculating that Fells will be back after some other players are moved to IR. For the moment, the veteran blocking tight end who played with the Texans last year is back in the free agency pool.

Fells was brought into Detroit on a visit just before Josh Hill announced his retirement. That left the Lions with a thinner tight end room than expected and Fells is coming off a solid two years in Houston. He posted a 55-653-11 line during his tenure with the Texans, serving as both a red zone weapon and a blocker. He’ll likely slot in as the backup to T.J. Hockenson and could see the field in 2TE sets.

Fells only amassed 312 receiving yards last year but did so with surprising efficiency, averaging 11.1 yards per target. He also serves as an adequate blocker because of his massive frame (6'7/270). The Lions would likely use Fells as a blocker and possibly as a red zone option. Even if the Lions sign Fells, T.J. Hockenson would still project for a massive workload with Detroit having few notable names at receiver.

Fells’ release saves the Texans $2.3 million in cap space, and the 35-year-old probably wants to attach himself to a contender if he wishes to continue his career. After a 11.1 yards per target season, Fells should be able to find work as a No. 2 or No. 3 option. The former UCI Anteaters basketball legend had 11 touchdowns in two seasons with Deshaun Watson.

Fells played 26 snaps, his norm over the past three weeks. Passed on the targets totem pole by Pharaoh Brown over the past month or so, 34-year-old Fells failed to make fantasy noise. He closes the book on 2020 with 21 catches for 312 yards and four scores. Fells is signed for $1.5 million in 2021.

It was Fells’ first touchdown since Week 6. Fells has just three targets the last five weeks. The TD-dependent tight end gets a matchup with the Titans in Week 17.