Kieft logged 10 snaps on offense but did not draw a target in the Buccaneers' 25-11 loss to the Eagles on Monday night.
The blocking tight end saw Baker Mayfield throw in his direction on three occasions without success in Week 1 against the Vikings, and he's subsequently failed to draw a target over the next two games. Kieft didn't even officially run any routes Monday night, as his blocking presence was needed versus an aggressive Eagles defense. Kieft's fantasy value figures to remain nonexistent as long as complementary pass-catching options at tight end like David Wells and Payne Durham are healthy behind Cade Otton.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Goes without target
Rotowire
Kieft went without a target over his 17 snaps on offense in Sunday's 27-17 win over the Bears.
After Kieft failed to reel in any of his three targets in the Week 1 win over the Vikings, quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't end up looking the tight end's way in the Week 2 win. Kieft has run routes (26.5 percent) more frequently than he's blocked (18.4 percent) when he's taken the field for passing plays, but he's unlikely to rank as anything more than a tertiary option in the aerial attack at any point this season.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: One catch in preseason win
Rotowire
Kieft brought in one of two targets for five yards in the Buccaneers' 13-6 preseason win over the Jets on Saturday night.
The second-year tight end made his first grab of preseason in his typically modest offensive role. Kieft should be locked into a roster spot given his superior blocking ability, which he flashed throughout his rookie 2022 campaign as the No. 3 tight end.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: No catches in wild-card loss
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Doesn't bring in only target
Rotowire
Kieft logged 22 snaps on offense in the Buccaneers' 30-24 win over the Panthers in Week 17 but failed to bring in his only target.
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 one pass apiece in six contests, Kieft has only logged Sunday's lone target over the last three games.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Records short reception in loss
Rotowire
Kieft hauled in his lone target for an 11-yard gain in Sunday's 35-7 loss to the 49ers.
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.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Cashes in on one catch
Rotowire
Kieft brought in his only target for a five-yard touchdown in the Buccaneers' 23-17 overtime loss to the Browns on Sunday.
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.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Kieft (ankle) was listed as a limited participant Wednesday.
Kieft has practiced in a limited capacity for two straight days after picking up an injury during the Buccaneers' Week 7 loss to the Panthers. The reserve tight end has recorded two receptions for 37 yards through seven games.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Upgrades to limited activity
Rotowire
Kieft (ankle) was limited at Tuesday's walkthrough, Brianna Dix of the team's official site reports.
After sitting out Monday, Kieft was back on the field in some capacity one day later and has one more opportunity to get back to full activity before the Buccaneers potentially gives him a designation for Thursday's contest versus Baltimore. Cameron Brate hasn't practiced since injuring his neck during the Week 6 game against Pittsburgh, so it looks as if Keift will once again operate as Tampa's No. 2 tight end behind Cade Otton should Brate eventually be ruled out for Thursday's matchup versus the Ravens.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Impressive gain on first pro catch
Rotowire
Kieft brought in his only target for 19 yards in the Buccaneers' 41-31 loss to the Chiefs on Sunday night.
The rookie tight end was impressive on his first pro reception, and he logged just nine snaps from scrimmage overall along with 17 on special teams. Kieft's catch aside, the sixth-round pick's primary role on offense will continue to be as a blocker unless injuries strike multiple players in front of him at tight end.
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Sixteen snaps, no targets in opener
Rotowire
Kieft logged 16 snaps on offense but did not draw a target during the Buccaneers' 19-3 win over the Cowboys in Week 1.
The rookie sixth-round pick garnered active status as the No. 3 tight end behind Cameron Brate and fellow first-year player Cade Otton, but his role was limited to blocking in the opener. That's very likely to be par for the course moving forward, considering both Kieft's 265-pound frame and the fact he was used in a very similar role during his college days at Minnesota (12 catches in four seasons).
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Buccaneers' Ko Kieft: Goes to Tampa Bay in sixth round
Rotowire
The Buccaneers selected Kieft in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 218th overall.
Kieft comes to the league from Minnesota with 10 career receptions, so blocking will be his path to getting on the field in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers led off Day 3 of the draft by selecting Washington's Cade Otton, so Kieft has plenty of competition as it is. If Rob Gronkowski returns to Tampa Bay, Kieft is at risk of not making the roster.
