Elijah Arroyo Fantasy Overview

2024 Summary

College Production

Arroyo posted career highs with 35 catches, 590 yards, and 7 TDs last year.

His market shares weren’t as impressive, as Miami averaged a huge 348.2 passing yards per game. Arroyo accounted for 10.6% of the team’s catches; 13% of the receiving yards.

His TDs amounted to a 17% share.

Usage & Role

A loaded supporting cast didn’t help, but Arroyo managed just a 9.5% target share. That ranked fifth on the Hurricanes.

Arroyo showed WR-like traits, and that shows up in his usage. He played 51.4% of his passing snaps in the slot, per PFF. Only 39.3% surfaced as an inline TE.

The 6’5, 250-pounder showed seam-stretching ability. His 11.1-yard average depth of target ranked third on the team. That mark also ranked fifth in a sample of 47 TEs with 45+ targets.

Efficiency Metrics

Let’s stick with that same sample of 47 TEs.

Within that group, Arroyo ranked:

• 1st in yards per catch
• 2nd in yards after catch per reception
• 13th in catch rate
• 17th in yards per route run

The 22-year-old pulled down only one of five targets in contested situations.

Offensive Context

Miami led the nation with a huge 43.9 points and 536 yards per game, so the environment was ripe for production.

QB Cam Ward supplied a playmaking talent. He ranked second nationally in passing yards and PFF passing grade and slotted 11th in pass attempts.

Injury History

Arroyo’s injury history makes his 2024 even more impressive.

He played only nine games in 2022 and 2023 because of a left ACL tear. Fortunately, he made it through last season setback-free.

Arroyo also opted out of the NFL Combine because of a knee injury, although it didn’t affect his participation in offseason practices.

2025 Expectations

Projected Role & Competition

Arroyo will enter a training camp battle with returning veteran Noah Fant.

Fant’s contract carries a $13.4 million cap hit for 2025, so he’s unlikely to be benched at any point. But his lack of production as a Seahawk (and Bronco) suggests there’s an opportunity for the rookie to earn playing time.

In three years in Seattle, Fant has averaged:

• 2.7 catches per game
• 29.1 yards per game
• .10 TDs per game

Now, even if Arroyo becomes the No. 1 TE in terms of snaps and routes, that doesn’t guarantee fantasy value. Jaxon Smith-Njigba returns as the clear No. 1 WR. Cooper Kupp also arrived this offseason to handle No. 2 duties – although we’ll see how long he can stay healthy.

Supporting Cast

We’ll see if Sam Darnold can sustain his high level of play from Minnesota. Seattle presents a downgrade in receiving talent and coaching infrastructure, so it’s fair to expect some regression.

Current projections have Darnold in line to finish 19th in pass attempts; 23rd in yards.

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Arroyo will play under first-year OC Klint Kubiak, who brings two years of experience as a play-caller.

His 2021 Vikings ranked:

• 12th in yards
• 14th in points
• 16th in rush attempts
• 11th in pass attempts

His 2024 Saints finished:

• 21st in yards
• 24th in points
• 21st in rush attempts
• 16th in pass attempts

Notably, his units ranked 8th (2021) and 4th (2024) in pace.

The ‘21 Vikings ranked 27th in TE target share (16%). Last year – with injuries to Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed – that number jumped to sixth (28%).