The Saints were back to full strength at tight end, with Juwan Johnson, Fant and Oscar Delp. Similar to other weeks, when all three have been healthy, Johnson and Fant split snaps in 11 personnel on early downs, Johnson was the primary tight end on third downs and Fant took one spot in 12 personnel while Johnson and Delp rotated in the other spot. It’s unlikely that Fant holds fantasy value this season unless Johnson suffers an injury, but it’s possible that Fant and Delp’s health will impact Johnson’s fantasy value. In Weeks 1 and 4 with either Delp or Fant out, Johnson posted a 77% route participation rate and averaged 13. 2 PPR points per game. In three games with all three tight ends healthy, Johnson has a 63. 1% route participation rate. He still averaged 13. 0 PPR points per game in those games, largely because he scored two touchdowns in Week 3, but he only caught four passes for 16 yards in this game. It is going to be harder to trust Johnson in fantasy starting lineups going forward as long as Fant and Delp stay healthy.
Saints adjust without Noah Fant: The Saints’ primary backup tight end was inactive with an abdominal injury. The Saints kept Juwan Johnson as their lead tight end but changed the depth behind him this offseason. They didn’t re-sign Foster Moreau or Taysom Hill and instead signed Fant and drafted Oscar Delp. In Week 1, Johnson played 84.4% of the offensive snaps while Delp was inactive. Johnson dominated the snaps in 11 personnel, while he and Fant shared the field in 12 personnel. Over the next two weeks, however, the Saints used more of a rotation at tight end. Johnson continued to dominate on third downs, but he and Fant split the early-down snaps in 11 personnel. In 12 personnel, Fant was consistently on the field, with Johnson and Delp rotating alongside him. Fant was limited in practice all week with an abdominal injury and entered the weekend as questionable before ultimately being ruled inactive. Treyton Welch, who was a healthy inactive last week, was active in his place. Fant’s absence kept Johnson on the field more frequently in 12 personnel, where he and Delp formed the most common pairing. Delp also rotated in for Johnson on early downs in 11 personnel, though not as frequently as Fant had over the previous two weeks. Johnson took advantage of the increased playing time, catching five passes for 53 yards, with the Saints playing from behind also helping his receiving opportunities. He remains a sell-high candidate, as his playing time should decline once Fant returns. Johnson could also see a significant reduction in snaps in games where the Saints are able to play from ahead, making his current level of production difficult to sustain.
Unlock full player intel
Go beyond the surface with trusted beat-writer insight on every player.
