Darren Fells

Darren Fells

37-Year-Old Tight EndTE
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Darren Fells in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Lions in November of 2021.
Back with practice squad
TEFree Agent
January 10, 2022
Fells reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
ANALYSIS
Fells was on the field for eight snaps on offense and one snap on special teams in the Week 18 victory over Carolina. He appeared in two games during the regular season for Tampa Bay.
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
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2023 Darren Fells Split Stats
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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Darren Fells See More
Gameday Injuries: Week 7
Gameday Injuries: Week 7
October 24, 2021
October 24, 2021
Juan Carlos Blanco has the latest on a Week 7 injury report that's particularly heavy on wide receivers.
NFL Game Previews: Saints-Seahawks Matchup
October 21, 2021
Erik Siegrist previews the Monday night matchup with game predictions, fantasy projections and DFS picks, as Jameis Winston and the Saints face the host Seahawks.
Target Breakdown: Week 6 WR/TE Recap & Week 7 Sleepers
October 19, 2021
It was a rough week for pass catchers around the league, but Washington's Ricky Seals-Jones looks like a solid TE1 until Logan Thomas returns from a hamstring injury.
NFL Game Previews: Colts-Ravens Matchup
October 7, 2021
Erik Siegrist previews the Monday night matchup as the Colts visit the Ravens.
Target Breakdown: Week 3 WR/TE Recap & Week 4 Sleepers
September 28, 2021
Brandon Aiyuk is back in a full-time role, but Deebo Samuel still looks like the Niners' No. 1 receiver.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
On his fifth team in six years, Fells yet again will provide both a veteran presence and meaningful depth to a Lions tight end room that has very little behind star T.J. Hockenson. Fells thus steps in as the No. 2 option, and, despite turning 35 years old this spring, he figures to have something left in the tank after averaging 14.9 yards per catch with four touchdowns and three gains of over 20 yards for the Texans in 2020. While he may serve primarily as a blocking complement to Hockenson in Detroit, Fells should be good for double-digit catches and a few more scores if he can stay healthy this season.
Fells was a surprising boost to fantasy teams in 2019 when he finished third among NFL tight ends with seven touchdowns and had career highs in targets (48), catches (34) and yards (341). The 34-year-old held off competition from three tight ends drafted in 2018 and 2019 to become a preferred red-zone target. Fells' career season prompted the Texans to re-sign him for 2020, though it's unclear if he'll be as involved this season as he was in 2019. In nay case, he'll be the leading tight end in a rotation along with Jordan Thomas, Jordan Akins and Kahale Warring.
The Texans drafted three tight ends over 2018 and 2019, so the veteran Fells faces competition for a roster spot. To invest three draft picks at the position indicates Houston head coach Bill O'Brien considers the spot a weak area, which presents an opportunity for the 33-year-old Fells. He brings a reputation as a blocking tight end, but has 10 touchdowns over five NFL seasons. He could be a red-zone option for a team that struggled to score touchdowns near the goal-line. His experience could be a factor, particularly if the organization stashes the newly drafted Kahale Warring (concussion) on injured reserve. Jerrell Adams also made the final roster, meaning five tight ends are on the depth chart.
Mostly used as a blocking tight end during his first four seasons in the league, Fells tied a career high with three touchdown grabs in 2017 as a member of the Lions. With David Njoku firmly planted as the Browns' starting tight end, Fells figures to once again be used as blocker in most running situations, though he might steal some touchdowns in the red zone.
Fells signed with Detroit in the offseason after spending the past three years in Arizona. His proficiency as a blocker boosts the prospects of the Lions' run game, but Fells individually isn't a difference-maker in the fantasy realm. In 2014, his best statistical season as a professional, the four-year veteran logged just 21 receptions for 311 yards and three scores. Fells will likely have trouble coming anywhere near that as second fiddle to Eric Ebron.
Formerly a pro basketball player abroad, Fells went the route of older brother Daniel, signing his first NFL deal with the Seahawks in March of 2013. Since landing on the Cardinals' practice squad in October of that year, he's slowly but surely worked his way first onto the 53-man roster and then to the top of the depth chart. Finishing last season as Arizona's top tight end in terms of catches (21), yards (311), and touchdowns (three), he culminated the campaign with a 21-yard touchdown grab in the NFC championship game beatdown at the hands of the Panthers. He enters 2016 as one of the Cardinals' starting tight ends.
John Carlson's sudden retirement in May removed a veteran presence from the tight-end ranks in Arizona, and general manager Steve Keim compensated with the late-July signing of Jermaine Gresham. While the former Bengal is the likely candidate to vacuum up Carlson's 55 targets from a year ago, Fells and 2014 second-round pick Troy Niklas are the primary holdovers to consider for reps in the Cardinals' offense. When Niklas' rookie season ended after Week 11 last fall, Fells took full advantage of the opportunity, receiving 56.9 percent of the TE snaps as opposed to 35.2 percent for Carlson and 30.2 percent for Rob Housler. During that six-game stretch, Fells hauled in six catches (on 11 targets) for 72 yards and one touchdown. The presence of Gresham hinders Fells' potential, though, due to the former's previous relationship with quarterback Carson Palmer during his rookie campaign in 2010.
Acting as tight end depth, but a Week 1 roster spot appears to be far-fetched.
More Fantasy News
Elevated to Bucs' active roster
TETampa Bay Buccaneers
January 8, 2022
Fells was elevated from the Buccaneers' practice squad Saturday to play against the Panthers on Sunday, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports.
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Reverts to practice squad
TEFree Agent
November 15, 2021
Fells reverted to Tampa Bay's practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
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Elevated to Tampa's roster
TETampa Bay Buccaneers
November 13, 2021
Fells will be elevated from Tampa Bay's practice squad to play against Washington on Sunday, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.
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Joins Tampa Bay's practice squad
TEFree Agent
November 10, 2021
Fells was signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad Wednesday, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
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Let go Monday
TEFree Agent
November 8, 2021
Fells was waived by the Lions on Monday, Tim Twentyman of the Lions' official site reports.
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