Atlanta re-signed Hesse as an exclusive rights free agent Friday.
What it means:
Hesse played an important blocking role across 17 games with the Falcons in 2022, while also catching nine of 11 targets for 89 yards. The expectation is that Kyle Pitts (knee) will be back to full health well ahead of the 2023 season, and operate as the clear lead receiving option in Atlanta's tight end room. Even while Pitts was sidelined in 2022, Hesse never managed to emerge as a viable fantasy option.
Hesse caught nine of 11 targets for 89 yards across 17 appearances during the 2022 campaign.
What it means:
Hesse operated as the Falcons' No. 1 tight end, even when Kyle Pitts (knee) was healthy, but the former was nearly exclusively utilized as a blocker. The undrafted product out of Iowa will be a free agent this offseason, but given how many offensive snaps (619) he played in 2022, Hesse figures to be a likely candidate to re-sign with Atlanta this offseason.
Hesse secured his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss versus the Steelers.
What it means:
With Kyle Pitts (knee) out, Hesse (34) operated as the No. 1 tight end again, but MyCole Pruitt (27) and Anthony Firkser (14) also garnered solid roles. All three tight ends caught a pass for a second straight week, but Pruitt secured Marcus Mariota's lone touchdown, while Firkser caught two passes and finished second on the team in receiving yards (24). The trio figures to garner similar roles during the remainder of the regular season, but Atlanta's passing attack remains limited due to Arthur Smith's run-first mindset.
Hesse caught one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 19-13 loss versus the Commanders.
What it means:
With Kyle Pitts (knee) out, Hesse played 35 offensive snaps, which put him as the top tight end over MyCole Pruitt (32) and Anthony Firkser (22). However, as expected, Hesse wasn't heavily involved in Atlanta's passing attack. MyCole Pruitt will likely emerge as the top pass-catching tight end in Pitts' absence, but Atlanta's passing attack remains limited due to Arthur Smith's run-first mindset.
Hesse will be among the group of players who are asked to step up in the absence of Kyle Pitts (knee) , Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
Hesse has played over 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps eight times this season, second only to Pitts amongst Atlanta's tight ends. However, the former has only caught five of six targets for 50 yards across 11 appearances. Hesse figures to operate as the Falcons' No. 1 tight end in Pitts' absence, but he's unlikely to see a major change in his statistical output, as he mostly operates as a blocker when on the field.
Hesse hauled in their only target for nine yards during Sunday's 37-34 overtime victory versus Carolina.
What it means:
Hesse played a season-low 43 percent of Atlanta's offensive snaps, but he secured his only target for nine yards, marking his first reception since Week 5. Across eight appearances, the second-year tight end has caught five of six targets for 50 yards, which eclipses his 43 receiving yards from his rookie campaign. Regardless, Hesse's primarily role for the Falcons is as a blocker, so expect his receptions to continue being few and far between.
