Analysis

Akins served as the Browns' starting tight end due to David Njoku (knee) being sidelined for the second consecutive week. He was one of the few bright spots in the offense, finishing second on the team in both targets and yards. Akins also accounted for Cleveland's only touchdown of the game with a 16-yard reception early in the fourth quarter. Overall, he's settled into a reliable backup tight end role and is set to enter free agency after spending the last two seasons with Cleveland.

Analysis

While Njoku was sidelined for last Sunday's 20-3 loss to the Dolphins, Akins saw an expanded profile on offense. He played 44 of the Browns' 79 snaps on offense in the loss, finishing with six catches for 49 yards on eight targets. Given that quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) dropped back a whopping 48 times in Week 17, Akins' eight targets could be more difficult to replicate in Week 18 if the heavily-favored Ravens are able to dominate the time of possession and keep the clock moving. Akins will also be working with a new starting quarterback in the finale, as Bailey Zappe is getting the nod over Thompson-Robinson.

Analysis

Akins did a bang-up job filling in for injured starting tight end David Njoku (knee) in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins. The veteran backup finished with a season-high 49 yards while setting another season best in receptions (six). If Njoku is unable to suit up against the Jets next Sunday, then Akins would make a formidable PPR option in Week 18.

Analysis

With Njoku sidelined in Week 15, Akins narrowly out-snapped Blake Whiteheart 33 to 23, but it was Akins who ran 25 routes to Whiteheart's seven in the pass game. Akins turned four targets into a 3-30-0 receiving line as the Browns' second-leading receiver in that contest. Akins is merely a desperation fantasy play at the tight end position in Week 17.

Analysis

Akins was a distant second in receptions and receiving yards behind Jerry Jeudy on a day when the Browns were afflicted with mostly ineffective quarterback play. The veteran tight end did do a serviceable job while drawing the start in place of the absent David Njoku (hamstring), but Akins holds only modest fantasy value even if he remains in the top role for a Week 16 road matchup against the Bengals.

Analysis

Akins previously helped fill in for Njoku from Weeks 2 through 4 while the latter was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain and compiled a 6-49-0 receiving line on 10 targets over that span. While that level of production wasn't particularly noteworthy, all three of those outings came while Deshaun Watson (Achilles) served as the Browns' quarterback, so Akins could have a better opportunity to deliver fantasy value this time around while Cleveland's passing attack has taken off under the stewardship of Jameis Winston. The Browns are also without a key receiver in Cedric Tillman (concussion), potentially leaving Akins as high as third in the pecking order for targets behind wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.

Analysis

Like many of Cleveland's receivers, Akins has experienced an uptick in activity and production with Jameis Winston at quarterback. The tight end had a limited role Monday however, even though Winston attempted 58 passes and David Njoku had a team-high 17 targets. Winston's not afraid to spread the ball around, so Akins, who averaged four targets over the three preceding games, could get some looks in Week 14 against the Steelers.

Analysis

Akins continued a renaissance in a Jameis Winston-led offense. The outing was his fourth in the last five games in which he was targeted four times. The lone blemish Thursday was a drop on a play that looked like he had a clear path to the end zone if he secured the ball. David Njoku remains the clear No. 1 at tight end, but he had an off night in the wind and snow of Cleveland, leading him to haul in just one of his five targets.

Analysis

Akins, who had two red-zone targets, was caught up in an offense that finished with 47 passing attempts. It was the third consecutive week the Browns have aired it out more than 40 times and the second straight week with four targets for Akins, who has four red-zone targets this season. He's not about to challenge the team's top targets, but all that volume could lead to a red-zone score.