Parker

Hesse

None of the players above are fantasy relevant so fire up your Lions as you normally would.

Pitts was limited in practice this week following his Week 5 absence against the Bucs. In four games this season, Pitts’ route participation rate sits at a depressing 69 percent. He’s averaging just 5.5 targets per game after seeing 6.6 in 2021. Nothing suggests Pitts has elite upside in a Falcons offense predicated on the run. Head coach Arthur Smith is determined to use Pitts not as a pass catcher and centerpiece of the offense, but as a decoy and on occasional pass blocker. Pitts will be a high-end TE2 in Week 6 against a Niners defense allowing the third fewest tight end receptions this year.

The Falcons will take on Tampa without their best blocking tight end. Parker Hesse could see an increase in pass routes and targets with Pitts sidelined, though Hesse isn’t a fantasy option outside the deepest formats. For at least one week, Pitts drafters get a reprieve from regret and despair. Rotoworld’s Denny Carter highlighted a few waiver wire tight ends who could take Pitts’ place in fantasy lineups this week. Drake London should see an uptick in targets with Pitts sidelined.

Hesse, a rookie, had two catches coming into Week 17 but was forced into extended playing time after Kyle Pitts exited the game with a hamstring injury. Hayden Hurst, placed on the COVID-19 list last week, did not suit up against Buffalo. Hesse ran a route on 73.3 percent of Matt Ryan’s drop backs and would be a desperation streaming option if Pitts and Hurst miss Week 18.

Ferentz believes that because Hesse was thrown into the fire after Drew Ott suffered a season-ending ACL tear last October, he has a sneaky experience edge that isn’t found in most players heading into their sophomore campaigns. “As a result, we feel like he’s more prepared this year to play,” Ferentz said, “and he had a really good spring.” During his freshman season, the 6-foot-3, 240-pounder recorded 44 tackles (3.0 for loss), two sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Hesse also had a gigantic pick-six in the win against Nebraska. Ott was lost for the season in Week 6 and has applied for a hardship waiver from the Big Ten that would give him one more year of eligibility. Whether or not that waiver is granted, Hesse figures to play a big role next season because Nate Meier (seven sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and 76 total tackles) graduated. Sophomore Matt Nelson would fill Meier’s spot if Ott doesn’t return.