Oronde Gadsden II: Rookie Tight End Emerges as Fantasy Football Must-Start

Just five rounds into the 2025 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers found a potential star in Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II. Now, halfway through his rookie season, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound pass catcher is forcing fantasy football managers to reconsider their tight end rankings after a historic Week 7 performance.

Breaking Records and Making History

Gadsden's breakout came at the perfect time. In the Chargers' Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, he exploded for seven receptions on nine targets for 164 yards and a touchdown—good for 25.9 fantasy points in the best tight end performance of the 2025 season so far.

That 164-yard performance wasn't just impressive; it was historic. Since 2000, no rookie tight end has ever recorded more receiving yards in a single game. Gadsden surpassed even the franchise record previously held by Hall of Famer Antonio Gates for most single-game yards by a rookie tight end.

The exclusive company makes the achievement even more remarkable. Only three other rookie tight ends have topped 140 yards in a game since 2000: Kyle Pitts (163), Brock Bowers (140), and Sam LaPorta (140). That's elite territory for a fifth-round selection who wasn't even starting games until Week 3.

Following in Famous Footsteps

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Gadsden's father, Oronde Gadsden I, enjoyed a successful NFL career as a wide receiver with the Miami Dolphins in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Growing up in South Florida's competitive football community—where former NFL players coached their sons and future pros competed together—gave Gadsden II advantages beyond genetics.

"His dad was a former professional athlete. Receiver as well," noted Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner, who played youth football alongside Gadsden in Florida. "But always a big, strong, physical specimen that could run. Run real well. And then he has great hands. Big hands."

Turner and Gadsden will face each other Thursday night when the Vikings visit Los Angeles, marking their first professional matchup despite being childhood teammates. The reunion adds personal stakes to what's already become a critical game for both teams' playoff aspirations.

Rising Usage Tells the Real Story

While the 164-yard explosion grabbed headlines, the underlying metrics suggest Gadsden's emergence wasn't random. His utilization has steadily increased throughout the season, creating a clear upward trajectory:

• Since Week 3: 70 Utilization Score (12th among tight ends)
• Weeks 4-7: 73 Utilization Score (9th)
• Weeks 5-7: 84 Utilization Score (4th)
• Weeks 6-7: 95 Utilization Score (2nd)

Over the past two weeks, Gadsden ranks second among all tight ends with a 22% air yards share despite a modest 78% route rate. He's become a legitimate downfield threat, not just a safety valve—averaging 2.32 yards per route run on the season.

Perhaps most importantly, Gadsden has earned quarterback Justin Herbert's trust. He owns a 24% first-read target share, tied with wide receiver Ladd McConkey for second on the team. Against pressure, he's caught 71.4% of his targets, making him Herbert's preferred answer when defenses bring heat.

Thursday Night Opportunity

The Vikings present an intriguing matchup for Gadsden's skill set. Minnesota deploys aggressive defensive schemes, blitzing on 38.51% of pass plays—jumping to 54.17% in the red zone. Against those pressure packages, tight ends have produced an 80% completion rate against the Vikings this season.

When Herbert faces the blitz, he's been surgical: 66.7% completion rate with 8.1 yards per attempt, five touchdowns against two interceptions on 75 attempts. With veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen drawing attention on the boundary, Gadsden finds space in the seams behind Minnesota's blitz-happy linebackers.

Fantasy analyst Matthew Freedman ranks Gadsden as the No. 9 tight end for Week 8, noting: "He has a modest matchup this week against the Vikings—but there's only so low I can rank a guy who has shown he has a true shot to be an all-time great and who also has the usage to support top-tier production."

Fantasy Football Implications

For fantasy managers navigating bye weeks and injuries, Gadsden represents exactly the kind of waiver wire addition that can salvage a season. His recent volume—eight-plus targets in consecutive games—provides a safer floor than most streaming tight end options. The ceiling, as demonstrated Sunday, rivals any player at the position.

DraftKings Sportsbook has taken notice, offering props on Gadsden's receiving totals for Thursday's primetime matchup. The line on 5+ receptions sits at +120, reflecting both his recent usage spike and the favorable matchup against Minnesota's blitz-heavy approach.

Steve Bradshaw of Forbes includes Gadsden in his Week 8 must-start tight ends: "Even though Gadsden had eight targets and over 11 points in each of the last two weeks, there are so many talented players on the Los Angeles Chargers." The competition for targets among McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Allen could theoretically limit Gadsden's ceiling, but his role in the passing game appears secure.

Long-Term Dynasty Value

Beyond this week's fantasy implications, Gadsden's emergence carries significant dynasty league ramifications. Rookie tight ends typically require 2-3 seasons to fully develop, making early breakouts especially valuable. In a 2025 class featuring several promising tight ends, Gadsden has separated himself with historic production.

His unique combination of size, speed, and hands creates matchup problems that remind evaluators of prime Travis Kelce or George Kittle. While it's far too early to project Hall of Fame careers, the early returns suggest the Chargers found exceptional value in Round 5.

The Bigger Picture

Gadsden's ascension reflects broader trends in modern NFL offenses. Teams increasingly deploy tight ends as primary receiving threats rather than blocking specialists. The position's evolution from supplementary role player to featured weapon creates opportunities for athletic tight ends who can stretch defenses vertically.

For the Chargers specifically, developing Gadsden as a reliable target gives Herbert another dimension in Jim Harbaugh's offense. As defenses adjust to contain McConkey and Allen, Gadsden's ability to attack the middle of the field becomes increasingly valuable.

Looking Ahead

Thursday night's game against Minnesota provides Gadsden another opportunity to prove his breakout wasn't a fluke. The Vikings' 3-3 record and defensive vulnerabilities suggest offensive opportunities will be available. With the Chargers fighting for playoff positioning in a competitive AFC, Gadsden's role should only expand as the season progresses.

For fantasy managers still deciding whether to trust the rookie, consider this: since 2000, only a handful of rookie tight ends have recorded 100-plus yards in a single game. That list includes Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, and George Kittle—players who defined the position for a generation. Gadsden just joined them with the best single-game performance of them all.

Sometimes the best fantasy assets aren't the first-round draft picks everyone covets. Sometimes they're fifth-round rookies who arrive quietly, work their way into expanded roles, and then explode onto the scene when nobody's paying attention. Oronde Gadsden II fits that profile perfectly—and fantasy managers who recognize the opportunity early stand to benefit all season long.