Fantasy Football: Chargers TE Donald Parham presents value as deep sleeper

During his stint in the XFL before it was cut short due to the pandemic, Donald Parham was electric, leading led all tight ends in receiving with 24 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns.

Parham was a No. 1 fantasy TE in the XFL and enters a new year which could see him provide value to NFL fantasy football owners.

Signed by the Chargers last year, Parham took advantage of his limited opportunities behind Hunter Henry and Virgil Green, recording 10 catches for 159 yards (15.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns on 20 targets in 2020.

At 6-foot-8, Parham showed he could be a promising target for quarterback Justin Herbert with his ability to outpace defenders down the field and the insane arm length and reliable hands to pluck the ball in the air.

Heading into the 2021 season, even after the additions of Jared Cook and rookie Tre’ McKitty, Parham’s upside is endless due to his elite physical and athletic traits coupled with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system.

During the final season that Lombardi called plays for the Lions, QB Matthew Stafford targeted the tight end on nearly 25% of his passes. In addition, Saints’ Drew Brees relied heavily on his tight ends.

Expected to draw parallels to the Saints offense, the team has produced five top 10 fantasy tight ends. Three of those came from Jimmy Graham in 2011, 2013, and 2014. Ben Watson in 2015 and Cook in 2019.

With Lombardi’s offense heavily predicated on matchups in which he will be show a wide variety of personnel packages, Parham could be the mismatch to threaten seams and in the red zone.

Lombardi said he liked what he saw from Parham on film last season, and that he’s excited to unlock his potential. Could he be in for a big year? Only time will tell, but stashing Parham in your respective leagues could pay dividends.