Atlanta re-signed Hesse as an exclusive rights free agent Friday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Minor role in passing attack
Rotowire
Hesse caught nine of 11 targets for 89 yards across 17 appearances during the 2022 campaign.
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.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: One reception in loss
Rotowire
Hesse secured his only target for 16 yards during Sunday's 19-16 loss versus the Steelers.
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.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Operates as top TE sans Pitts
Rotowire
Hesse caught one of two targets for nine yards during Sunday's 19-13 loss versus the Commanders.
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.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: First catch since Week 5
Rotowire
Hesse hauled in his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 37-34 overtime victory versus Carolina.
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 primary role for the Falcons is as a blocker, so expect his receptions to continue being few and far between.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Operates as top TE sans Pitts
Rotowire
Hesse caught his only target for nine yards during Sunday's 21-15 defeat against the Buccaneers.
Due to his blocking prowess, Hesse continues to garner a major role for Atlanta's offense and played 38 offensive snaps against Tampa Bay, by far the most among Falcons tight ends. Even when Kyle Pitts (hamstring) was healthy, Hesse was garnering a similar role, but Hesse doesn't have the pass-catching ability that Pitts possesses. Hesse has secured one catch in four of five games this season, totaling just 41 yards.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Catches only target in win
Rotowire
Hesse secured his only target for 22 yards during Sunday's 23-20 win over the Browns.
Hesse's lone reception came on the team's second offensive possession and set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Cordarrelle Patterson. The backup tight end actually out-snapped Kyle Pitts 48 to 34 as Atlanta leaned on its run game in the second half. That trend is unlikely to continue, but it does show the confidence the Falcons have in Hesse as a run blocker. Across four games, Hesse has caught three of four targets for 32 yards while playing over 60 percent of the team's offensive snaps in each contest.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Meager production in loss
Rotowire
Hesse caught one of two targets for five yards during Sunday's 27-26 loss to New Orleans.
Hesse played 48 offensive snaps, but he failed to make a major statistical impact. As expected, he operated mostly as an in-line tight end, while Kyle Pitts lined up primarily as a wideout. Hesse is expected to continue garnering heavy snap workloads, but it's unlikely to translate to consistent fantasy production.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Catches touchdown Friday
Rotowire
Hesse caught one of two targets for one yard and a touchdown during Friday's preseason contest against the Lions.
Hesse operated as the top backup tight end behind Kyle Pitts and Anthony Firkser, and totaled 27 snaps (22 offensive). His touchdown came in the second quarter and was rookie Desmond Ridder's first touchdown in NFL action. Hesse appeared in eight games for Atlanta last year and caught five of six targets for 43 yards. The undrafted tight end out of Iowa figures to garner a similar role in 2022, but he faces stiff training camp competition from veteran MyCole Pruitt and training-camp darling Feleipe Franks.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Signed to Falcons' active roster
Rotowire
Hesse was signed to the Falcons' active roster Tuesday, Tori McElhaney of the team's official website reports.
The tight end was called up from the practice squad in Week 17 against the Bills and made three catches for 31 yards in the loss. Hesse appears to have impressed with his performance, securing a spot on the active roster for the Falcons' season finale against the Saints next weekend. With Hayden Hurst (illness) on the COVID list and Kyle Pitts (hamstring) banged up, the 26-year-old may be in for a substantial role in Week 18.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Three receptions in loss
Rotowire
Hesse caught all three of his targets for 31 yards during Sunday's 29-15 loss to the Bills.
With Hayden Hurst out due to COVID-19 protocols, Hesse was elevated to the active roster for the first time since Week 13. Star rookie Kyle Pitts also left the game at the start of the second half with a hamstring injury, so with Atlanta's top two tight ends sidelined, Hesse made the most of his opportunity by setting season highs in receptions (three) and yards (31). Pitts' status for Week 18 is uncertain, but Hurst is expected to return, so Hesse's role will likely be diminished. However, Hesse appears to have jumped Lee Smith on the depth chart after the former played 37 offensive snaps to the latter's 10.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Elevated in time for Week 17
Rotowire
Hesse was elevated to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Bills, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hesse is in line for his first game action since Week 13. He'll be third on Atlanta's tight end depth chart if Hayden Hurst is unable to return from the COVID list in time for the tilt against Buffalo.
... See More... See Less
Parker Hesse: Joins Atlanta's practice squad
Rotowire
The Falcons signed Hesse to their practice squad Wednesday.
Hesse was waived by the Falcons after Hayden Hurst (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve. The undrafted free agent out of Iowa has made six appearances for Atlanta this season, catching two of three targets for 12 yards.
... See More... See Less
Parker Hesse: Waived by Atlanta
Rotowire
Hesse was waived by Atlanta on Monday, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.
Hesse appeared in each of the last four games and secured both of his targets for 12 yards. However, he'll now be let go after Hayden Hurst (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve Monday.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Catches one pass Sunday
Rotowire
Hesse caught his only target for seven yards during Sunday's 21-14 win over the Jaguars.
With Hayden Hurst (ankle) on injured reserve, Hesse has caught one pass in each of his last two games. He was out-snapped by No. 2 tight end Lee Smith 29-23 on Sunday, but Smith's strength is in the running game, which should open the door for Hesse in the passing game. Nonetheless, barring a touchdown, Hesse likely remains unplayable in standard formats.
... See More... See Less
Parker Hesse: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Hesse reverted to the Falcons' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
Hesse was a gameday elevation for Sunday's blowout loss and played 19 offensive snaps without receiving a target. Hayden Hurst (ankle) and Lee Smith (back) are battling injuries, so Hesse could rejoin the active roster as a depth option at tight end for Thursday's matchup with the Patriots.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Elevated for Week 10
Rotowire
Hesse was elevated from the Falcons' practice squad Saturday in preparation for Sunday's game in Dallas, Michael Rothstein of ESPN reports.
Hesse will provide some extra depth at tight end with Lee Smith (back) having been ruled out. Barring an in-game injury to Kyle Pitts or Hayden Hurst, Hesse's role on offense will be somewhere between minimal and nonexistent.
... See More... See Less
Parker Hesse: Back with Falcons
Rotowire
Hesse was signed to the Falcons' practice squad Tuesday.
Hesse appeared in the first two games of the season for the Falcons and was cut over the weekend. However, the 26-year-old will stick around on the practice squad.
... See More... See Less
Parker Hesse: Waived Saturday
Rotowire
Hesse was waived by the Falcons on Saturday.
The tight end was let go after appearing in two games this season, failing to record a reception. He was buried on the depth chart behind Kyle Pitts and Hayden Hurst, ultimately being the odd man out when the team activated cornerback Kendall Sheffield from injured reserve Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Falcons' Parker Hesse: Lands on COVID list
Rotowire
Hesse (undisclosed) was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Tuesday, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com reports.
Hesse was a likely candidate to get cut at Tuesday's roster deadline, but he'll instead move to the COVID-19 list. The 26-year-old will remain away from the team until he clears the health and safety protocols.
