Kieft failed to bring in his only target during the Buccaneers' 31-14 wild-card loss to the Cowboys on Monday night. He finished the 2022 regular season with seven receptions (10 targets) for 80 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff return for seven yards across 17 games.
What it means:
The rookie tight end was primarily utilized as a blocker and on special teams, where he logged 271 snaps. Kieft was efficient with his few opportunities as a receiver, and he could be set to move up to the No. 2 role next season if veterans Cameron Brate and Kyle Rudolph (knee) aren't brought back.
Kieft logged 22 snaps on offense in the Buccaneers' Week 18 win over the Panthers but failed to bring in his only target.
What it means:
The rookie once again served primarily in a blocking role, and despite the fact Cameron Brate was a healthy scratch, Kieft was an afterthought as a receiver. After a seven-game stretch between Weeks 7 and 14 when he caught a pass in six contests, Kieft has only logged Sunday's lone target over that span.
Kieft hauled in his lone target for an 11-yard gain in Sunday's 35-7 loss to the 49ers.
What it means:
For the third week in a row, Kieft drew a target in the passing game, but he remained a distant third in the pecking order at tight end behind fellow rookie Cade Otton and veteran Cameron Brate. Otton led the group with 44 snaps, while Brate and Kieft took the field for 28 and five snaps on offense, respectively.
Kieft brought in one of two targets for 12 yards in the Buccaneers' 17-16 win over the Saints on Monday night.
What it means:
Kieft was able to once again make an appearance on the stat sheet with Cameron Brate (illness) sidelined, recording a catch for the sixth time in the last seven games. Despite the frequent cameo appearances on the stat sheet, the rookie sixth-round pick is the Buccaneers' clear block-first tight end even when a pass-catching option at the position like Brate is sidelined.
Kieft brought in his only target for a five-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday.
What it means:
The blocking tight end logged 16 snaps from scrimmage and came up with his first career touchdown midway through the third quarter. Kieft now has one catch in four of the last five games but remains a fantasy afterthought in all but the deepest of formats.
Kieft did not log a target over 23 snaps during the Buccaneers' 21-16 win over the Seahawks in Week 10.
What it means:
The blocking-first tight end had recorded a reception apiece over the prior three games, but with Cameron Brate returning from a neck injury Sunday, his minuscule pass-catching role disappeared altogether. Kieft will have negligible fantasy value as long as Cade Otton and Brate are healthy in front of him.
