Ever Present Lurker
Footballguy
We spent all off season talking about Gronk having a decided edge over all other TEs, then week 1 comes and a TE scoring bonanza breaks out. Hell, Gronk went right off and was only TE#4 in my league. But there's a whole season ahead of us - who is most likely to keep up?
Jimmy Graham, SEA - 8 targets, 6 catches, 1 TD. A surprising game for many - Seattle's Defense looked vulnerable at times and a shootout ensued. While I wouldn't expect a repeat of this particular game script, it does appear that he is in their plans in the redzone. He won't be the focal point of the offense. and may not be taking over games as he used to, he certainly has potential to continue this level of play.
Travis Kelce, KC - The game we've waited for all offseason. 6 targets, 6 catches, 106 yards, 2 TDs. A great game, but he certainly wasn't challenged on some of his catches - a theme for more than one TE this week, including Gronk. Kelce was dominant and was the best receiver on the field. Alex Smith may be the death of any WRs game, but he's a great QB to find Kelce on short to intermediate routes. If anyone has a shot to stick with Gronkowski, I think it's Kelce.
Tyler Eifert, CIN - The volume king for TEs last week - 12 targets for 9 catches - both TE highs for the week, 104 yards (#2 TE for the week) and 2 TDs (Tied for TE high). A beast of a game. He's healthy, Gresham is gone and the running game keeps the defense honest. But this was the Raiders. Though the Raiders are improving, they're still the Raiders. The Bengals completely had their way with Oakland, which won't be the case every week. I think the Bengals will lean more on their running game and you've got to expect more out of Green then what we saw last week. It's also reasonable to expect Marvin Jones to be a bit more involved. While I do think Eifert is a solid play going forward, I expect he just played his best game of the year.
Jason Witten, DAL - Look who's back! 9 targets, 8 for 60, 2 TDs. With Dez Bryant out indefinitely, the Cowboys do not have a #1 receiver, which increases Witten's opportunities. But Witten isn't the athlete he once was, as evidenced by his 7.5ish yards per catch. His scoring will be heavily TD dependent, as he is not likely to have 8 catches each week. I expect the yardage to be hard to come by with him.
Jordon Reed, WAS - What to say about this guy, he sees 11 targets, gets 7 catches for 63 yards and a TD. And I think he could keep these numbers up. But he won't. Because he will get hurt. Supremely talented and as brittle as my grandma. Yes, I'm predicting an injury. Sorry Jordon.
Darren Fells, ARZ - A big surprise with 4 catches for 82 yards and a TD on just 5 targets. There's almost no chance this repeats itself. This isn't an offense that features the TE and Fells is at best the fifth option on this offense. As Brown's role grows and Floyd continues to approach 100% following his hand injury, Fells relevance will fade.
Ladarius Green, SD - Is it finally happening?! 6 targets, 5 for 74 and a TD. And that's with Allen seeing a bazillion balls and Stevie Johnson solidly involved. The game script put SD in comeback mode and allowed them to throw all day. As the 3rd/4th/5th target on this offense, plus Gates returning as a red zone vulture at minimum, it would be silly to expect 18 point games every week from Green.
Martellus Bennett, CHI - 7 targets, 5 catches, 55 yards and a TD. There isn't a lot of health in the Chicago WR corps, Jeffery, Royal and Wilson have all been hurt. Bennett shouldn't encounter resistance to 7+ targets each week. I wouldn't be shocked to see him better these numbers on several occasions this year. The opportunity is there for Bennett to again be among the leaders in receptions at TE. But will his weak offense provide the red zone opportunities to take a run at Gronk? I'm not liking the chances.
Heath Miller, PIT - 11 targets 8 for 84. The first TE on our list that didn't score! This is a handicapped offense that will be better soon. Bell will be back for week 3 and Bryant in week 5. It's unlikely that Miller will sustain 11 targets or anywhere near that. However, Roethlesberger will have to lean a bit more on Miller until week 5 - especially hard until week 3. It's not unreasonable to expect Miller to be fairly heavily targeted in that time frame. But after that, I expect a fairly decent drop in his # of targets and corresponding offensive numbers. If you can sell high, do it!
Jared Cook, STL - 6 targets, 5 for 85. Saw his numbers heavily vultured by Kendricks. Cook has always had the ability, and has throw out the odd big game (in the first game of the year, no less) before. This offense just isn't that good, and they want to run the ball. Gurley is on the way, and I believe the offense will soon run through him. I think Cook may have more big games this season, but he'll also throw up twice as many stinkers. Good luck guessing which is which.
Anyway, wanted to get some discussion going about TEs. Others certainly had good days on Sunday, feel free to discuss them as well - hear are the top 12 to get us started. Who do you feel will keep up their production, or at least a higher level of production? Which is the fools gold and which is the real treasure?
Jimmy Graham, SEA - 8 targets, 6 catches, 1 TD. A surprising game for many - Seattle's Defense looked vulnerable at times and a shootout ensued. While I wouldn't expect a repeat of this particular game script, it does appear that he is in their plans in the redzone. He won't be the focal point of the offense. and may not be taking over games as he used to, he certainly has potential to continue this level of play.
Travis Kelce, KC - The game we've waited for all offseason. 6 targets, 6 catches, 106 yards, 2 TDs. A great game, but he certainly wasn't challenged on some of his catches - a theme for more than one TE this week, including Gronk. Kelce was dominant and was the best receiver on the field. Alex Smith may be the death of any WRs game, but he's a great QB to find Kelce on short to intermediate routes. If anyone has a shot to stick with Gronkowski, I think it's Kelce.
Tyler Eifert, CIN - The volume king for TEs last week - 12 targets for 9 catches - both TE highs for the week, 104 yards (#2 TE for the week) and 2 TDs (Tied for TE high). A beast of a game. He's healthy, Gresham is gone and the running game keeps the defense honest. But this was the Raiders. Though the Raiders are improving, they're still the Raiders. The Bengals completely had their way with Oakland, which won't be the case every week. I think the Bengals will lean more on their running game and you've got to expect more out of Green then what we saw last week. It's also reasonable to expect Marvin Jones to be a bit more involved. While I do think Eifert is a solid play going forward, I expect he just played his best game of the year.
Jason Witten, DAL - Look who's back! 9 targets, 8 for 60, 2 TDs. With Dez Bryant out indefinitely, the Cowboys do not have a #1 receiver, which increases Witten's opportunities. But Witten isn't the athlete he once was, as evidenced by his 7.5ish yards per catch. His scoring will be heavily TD dependent, as he is not likely to have 8 catches each week. I expect the yardage to be hard to come by with him.
Jordon Reed, WAS - What to say about this guy, he sees 11 targets, gets 7 catches for 63 yards and a TD. And I think he could keep these numbers up. But he won't. Because he will get hurt. Supremely talented and as brittle as my grandma. Yes, I'm predicting an injury. Sorry Jordon.
Darren Fells, ARZ - A big surprise with 4 catches for 82 yards and a TD on just 5 targets. There's almost no chance this repeats itself. This isn't an offense that features the TE and Fells is at best the fifth option on this offense. As Brown's role grows and Floyd continues to approach 100% following his hand injury, Fells relevance will fade.
Ladarius Green, SD - Is it finally happening?! 6 targets, 5 for 74 and a TD. And that's with Allen seeing a bazillion balls and Stevie Johnson solidly involved. The game script put SD in comeback mode and allowed them to throw all day. As the 3rd/4th/5th target on this offense, plus Gates returning as a red zone vulture at minimum, it would be silly to expect 18 point games every week from Green.
Martellus Bennett, CHI - 7 targets, 5 catches, 55 yards and a TD. There isn't a lot of health in the Chicago WR corps, Jeffery, Royal and Wilson have all been hurt. Bennett shouldn't encounter resistance to 7+ targets each week. I wouldn't be shocked to see him better these numbers on several occasions this year. The opportunity is there for Bennett to again be among the leaders in receptions at TE. But will his weak offense provide the red zone opportunities to take a run at Gronk? I'm not liking the chances.
Heath Miller, PIT - 11 targets 8 for 84. The first TE on our list that didn't score! This is a handicapped offense that will be better soon. Bell will be back for week 3 and Bryant in week 5. It's unlikely that Miller will sustain 11 targets or anywhere near that. However, Roethlesberger will have to lean a bit more on Miller until week 5 - especially hard until week 3. It's not unreasonable to expect Miller to be fairly heavily targeted in that time frame. But after that, I expect a fairly decent drop in his # of targets and corresponding offensive numbers. If you can sell high, do it!
Jared Cook, STL - 6 targets, 5 for 85. Saw his numbers heavily vultured by Kendricks. Cook has always had the ability, and has throw out the odd big game (in the first game of the year, no less) before. This offense just isn't that good, and they want to run the ball. Gurley is on the way, and I believe the offense will soon run through him. I think Cook may have more big games this season, but he'll also throw up twice as many stinkers. Good luck guessing which is which.
Anyway, wanted to get some discussion going about TEs. Others certainly had good days on Sunday, feel free to discuss them as well - hear are the top 12 to get us started. Who do you feel will keep up their production, or at least a higher level of production? Which is the fools gold and which is the real treasure?
