In the thick of another NFC West clash, Thursday Night Football pits the San Francisco 49ers against the Los Angeles Rams, with a spotlight on their tight ends: Jake Tonges and Davis Allen. Both players, still carving out their niches in the league, step into roles that could swing the game—or at least boost a few fantasy rosters. Tonges, the 26-year-old undrafted free agent from Cal, has suddenly become a name to watch after George Kittle's hamstring sidelined him.
Indeed, Tonges wasted no time filling the void. In Week 4 against the Cardinals, he hauled in three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, his best outing yet. Growing up in Los Gatos, just an hour from Levi's Stadium, it's almost poetic how he's now catching passes in his backyard. But let's not overstate it; his career's been a grind—practice squads with the Bears before landing in San Francisco last year. With Kittle out at least four weeks on injured reserve, Tonges could see 40-50 snaps tonight, especially with the 49ers' receiver injuries piling up. However, his blocking needs sharpening if he's to hold off Luke Farrell for the starting gig.
Over on the Rams' side, Davis Allen brings a different flavor. The fifth-round pick out of Clemson in 2023 has quietly logged 19 receptions for 158 yards and three scores across 33 games. At 24, he's got that college polish—88 catches for 951 yards and 12 touchdowns at Clemson—but in LA, he's more of a reliable blocker than a red-zone threat. Week 2 saw him snag a couple of key first downs, yet the Rams' offense leans hard on stars like Cooper Kupp. Allen's not flashy, and that's the rub; in a pass-heavy scheme under Sean McVay, he might get overlooked again unless Tyler Higbee fades further.
Moreover, fantasy analysts are buzzing about these two as sleepers. Tonges edges out with his recent spark, potentially outproducing Allen in targets. Yet the Rams' defense could clamp down on San Francisco's short game, limiting the Bay Area boy's breakout. Still, both tight ends embody the position's evolution—versatile weapons who demand respect.
As these under-the-radar talents take the field, one wonders how much longer they'll stay in the shadows of their superstar teammates.