It seems like just last preseason that we were talking about how thin the tight end position was, right?
Well, that's because it was just last preseason. Fantasy tight ends had a massive rebirth in 2015, as players like Gary Barnidge, Jordan Reed and Tyler Eifert came out of nowhere (in some cases) to made major contributions. Couple that with a number of offseason moves that added even more depth to the position, and fantasy owners can once again pick from a plethora of options that should fill up the stat sheets on a regular basis. To that end, it's still important to know which players landed in the best positions to succeed, and how new coaches and offensive coordinators might affect player values for your upcoming drafts.
That's where I come in, friends, as I've done all the research for you and unearthed some interesting nuggets to wrap your fantasy brains around.
Below is a list of all 32 teams, including projections for the tight ends atop their current depth charts.
Arizona Cardinals
Darren Fells:
Receptions: 28
Rec yds: 387
Rec TDs: 3
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 53.2
The Cardinals haven't had a useful fantasy tight end in what seems like forever (Freddie Jones?). In fact, their highest-scoring fantasy player at the position in three seasons under coach Bruce Arians is John Carlson, and he finished 32nd in 2014. ... Over his last six seasons as either a head man or offensive coordinator, Arians hasn't had a tight end rank higher than 21st in fantasy points. That was Dwayne Allen for the Colts in 2012. Furthermore, Arians hasn't had a tight end not named Heath Miller finish better than Allen's 22nd. ... In five seasons under Arians, he ranked in the top 10 twice. However, he finished outside of the top 15 at the position on three occasions.
Atlanta Falcons
Jacob Tamme:
Receptions: 45
Rec yds: 514
Rec TDs: 2
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 63.4
The Falcons haven't had a legitimate fantasy option at tight end since Tony Gonzalez retired, and that didn't change in their first season with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan at the helm. Jacob Tamme did finish third on the team in targets with 81, but he ranked just 18th at the position. ... In his last five seasons as an OC, Shanahan hasn't had a tight end finish better than 12th in fantasy points. That was Fred Davis with the Redskins in 2011. Still, the average finish of his best tight end (based on fantasy points) since 2012 is a mere 23rd. ... Tamme will have little competition for opportunities, but Shanahan hasn't used the tight end enough to make him fantasy draftable.
Baltimore Ravens
Maxx Williams:
Receptions: 45
Rec yds: 429
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 66.9
Offensive coordinator Marc Trestman's system helped Martellus Bennett finish in the top 10 in fantasy points among tight ends in back-to-back years for Chicago (2013-2014). However, he did not have a tight end finish better than 17th (Doug Jolley, 2002) in his previous three seasons as an OC. ... In his first stint with the Ravens, Trestman's best fantasy tight end ranked 24th at the position. ... Baltimore has a number of tight end options in 2016, including Williams, Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore, but none of the three figure to make a major fantasy impact. ... Benjamin Watson suffered a torn Achilles in preseason and will miss the entire 2016 campaign.
Buffalo Bills
Charles Clay:
Receptions: 54
Rec yds: 579
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 81.9
In his first season in Buffalo, Charles Clay ranked 21st in fantasy points among tight ends. He had finished sixth and 15th in his previous two years with the Dolphins. It was the fourth time in his last six seasons as an offensive coordinator that Greg Roman failed to produce a tight who finished better than 15th in fantasy points. ... Vernon Davis (2011, 2013) is the lone player at the position to rank in the top 10 under Roman's watch. ... Outside of two seasons where Dustin Keller (2010-11) finished in the top 10, coach Rex Ryan hasn't had a tight end rank better than 21st in fantasy points either. ... Clay shouldn't be seen as more than a No. 2 option (at best) in drafts.
Carolina Panthers
Greg Olsen:
Receptions: 71
Rec yds: 1,003
Rec TDs: 7
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 142.3
Greg Olsen has recorded a combined 161 catches for 2,112 yards and 13 touchdowns in his last two seasons under offensive coordinator Mike Shula. During that time, he also posted 247 targets. Rob Gronkowski (151) is the lone tight end with more targets than Olsen since 2014. ... Olsen has caught 70-plus passes in three straight years, and he's scored at least five touchdowns in each of his last eight seasons. Olsen has also played in 128 consecutive contests, making him one of (if not the) most durable players at his position. ... Since 2012, the Miami (FL) product has finished eighth or better in fantasy points at the position. He'll be the second or third tight end selected in drafts.
Chicago Bears
Zach Miller:
Receptions: 56
Rec yds: 635
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 97.5
Dowell Loggains had been an offensive coordinator for two full seasons at the NFL level (Tennessee, 2012-13) before joining the Bears. In that time, Jared Cook (20th, 2012) and Delanie Walker (12th, 2013) both finished in the top 20 in fantasy points among tight ends. ... Chicago's most targeted tight end in the last three seasons, Martellus Bennett, is now with the Patriots. In his absence, Zach Miller looks to be in line for an increase in opportunities. Over the second half of last season, the veteran averaged four catches for 50 yards and scored a combined five touchdowns. That flash of potential will make Miller a popular late-round super sleeper in countless 2016 leagues.
Cincinnati Bengals
Tyler Eifert:
Receptions: 61
Rec yds: 723
Rec TDs: 7
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 114.3
The Bengals fielded one of fantasy football's top tight ends last season, as Tyler Eifert scored 13 touchdowns and ranked sixth in points at the position. His status for the start of the 2016 campaign is in real doubt, however, as he recovers from an injured ankle. ... The Bengals hired former quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese to replace Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator. He's never served in that role in the pros, though he has been with the franchise for over a decade. ... Cincinnati lost Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu (152 targets) during the offseason, so there should be a lot of opportunities for Eifert upon his return. ... Backup Tyler Kroft (knee) is also questionable for Week 1.
Cleveland Browns
Gary Barnidge:
Receptions: 66
Rec yds: 794
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 115.4
In five seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator at the NFL level, Hue Jackson has produced a pair of top-10 fantasy tight ends (Tyler Eifert - 2015, Zach Miller - 10). He also coached Alge Crumpler to a top-15 finish with the Falcons in 2007. ... Gary Barnidge came out of nowhere to produce 79 catches, 1,043 yards and nine touchdowns as the main offensive weapon for the Browns last season. He had recorded a combined 44 catches for 603 yards and three touchdowns in his first six years at the NFL level... The Browns drafted Corey Coleman and will have Josh Gordon back after the first four weeks of the season, though, so Barnidge could see a slight decrease in targets.
Dallas Cowboys
Jason Witten:
Receptions: 72
Rec yds: 739
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 97.9
Jason Witten finished 12th in fantasy points among tight ends in 2015, but he has experienced a downtick in targets in recent seasons. In fact, he's averaged 102 targets over the last three years despite the Cowboys' lack of a true No. 2 receiver behind Dez Bryant. Witten can no longer be drafted as a No. 1 option at the position, but he will be near the top of the TE2 list. ... In his 14 seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator at the NFL level, Scott Linehan has produced just four top-10 fantasy tight ends including Jim Kleinsasser (2003), Jermaine Wiggins (2004), Randy McMichael (2005) and Witten (2014). However, he's had just once top-10 tight end since 2006.
Denver Broncos
Virgil Green:
Receptions: 37
Rec yds: 411
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 63.1
In one of three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Denver, (now head coach) Gary Kubiak led Shannon Sharpe (a Hall of Famer) to a season with 770 yards and eight touchdowns. In the following two seasons, Jeb Putzier averaged 526 yards and scored twice. When Rick Dennison took over as the Broncos' coordinator (2006-2008), Tony Scheffler averaged 493 yards and scored 12 times. ... Between Houston, Baltimore and Denver (2010-2012, 2014-2015), Owen Daniels had one season with 700-plus yards and scored more than four touchdowns once. He ranked 20th in fantasy points at the position last season. ... Virgil Green could lead the Broncos tight end in snaps in 2016, but he's not fantasy draftable.
Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron:
Receptions: 58
Rec yds: 603
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 96.3
In nine games under offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter last season, the Lions threw the football 359 times. Eric Ebron saw a mere 11 percent (42 targets) of those pass attempts, averaging three catches and 30 yards per game. He also found the end zone just once in that time. Still, he's a potential deep sleeper as a red-zone threat after the Lions lost Calvin Johnson to retirement. ... Ebron might have taken a hit in target projections after the Lions added Anquan Boldin to a pass attack that also fields Golden Tate and Marvin Jones. ... Ebron's 13th-place finish among fantasy tight ends was the best the team has had since 2011, when Brandon Pettigrew ranked 11th at the position.
Green Bay Packers
Jared Cook:
Receptions: 45
Rec yds: 517
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 81.7
Green Bay threw the football just 58.7 percent of the time in Edgar Bennett's first season as the team's offensive coordinator, including 565 pass targets. A mere 15 percent of those targets went to tight ends, with Richard Rodgers (85) eating up most of them. .... Rodgers finished eighth in fantasy points due in large part to his eight touchdowns, but he scored fewer than five fantasy points nine times. The addition of veteran Jared Cook will mean a decrease in targets for Rodgers this season, so he won't be drafted in most leagues. ... Cook could be worth a late-round flier, but he's been a fantasy disappointment since posting 759 yards and three touchdowns for the Titans back in 2011.
Houston Texans
Ryan Griffin:
Receptions: 31
Rec yds: 352
Rec TDs: 3
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 53.2
The Texans have had one tight end (Owen Daniels, 2008) finish in the top 10 in fantasy points at the position in the last eight years. What's more, their offense hasn't produced a top-40 tight end in the last two seasons. ... In George Godsey's first stint as the team's offensive coordinator, he threw the football to his tight ends 78 times out of 614 offensive targets. That's just fewer than 13 percent. ... Ryan Griffin led the position in targets with a mere 34, which ranked fourth on the team overall. ... With DeAndre Hopkins in the pass-attack and the addition of rookie wide receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller, Griffin is unlikely to see a rise in opportunities this season.
Indianapolis Colts
Dwayne Allen:
Receptions: 51
Rec yds: 602
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 96.2
Offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has had a boatload of success with tight ends during his NFL career. As the tight ends coach in San Diego, Chud helped Antonio Gates to four top-10 finishes including two top-3 ranks and a pair of seasons as the top man at the position. As a coordinator or head coach, Chudzinski led Kellen Winslow Jr. (2007) and Jordan Cameron (2013) to fourth-place finishes among tight ends based on fantasy points. Winslow was also on pace to be a top-10 tight end in 2008, but he missed six games due to injuries. ... This is all good news for Dwayne Allen, who figures to see more targets and red-zone opportunities with Coby Fleener no longer in the offensive mix.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Julius Thomas:
Receptions: 63
Rec yds: 605
Rec TDs: 7
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 102.5
Offensive coordinator Greg Olson liked throwing to his top tight end last season, as Julius Thomas averaged almost seven targets in his 12 games. Had he seen a full 16 contests, Thomas would have projected to be a top-10 fantasy tight end. ... In Olson's previous eight seasons as an NFL coordinator, he produced two top-10 tight ends (Kellen Winslow Jr., 2009-2010). Of course, his top options at the position in his other campaigns were Marcus Pollard, Joe Klopfenstein, Randy McMichael and Mychal Rivera. ... If Thomas can avoid injuries (he's missed nine games in the last three seasons), he's a good bet to produce TE1 numbers in an offense that should move the football down the field.
Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce:
Receptions: 70
Rec yds: 874
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 115.4
The Chiefs hired Brad Childress to be their new offensive coordinator, but head coach Andy Reid will do most of the work. When the two worked together in Philadelphia from 2002-2005 (with Childress as the OC), the team didn't produce a single top-10 fantasy tight end. L.J. Smith came the closest, finishing 11th in 2005. ... While he was the head coach in Minnesota, Childress did help Visanthe Shiancoe finish in the top six among tight ends in back to back campaigns (2008-2009). ... Travis Kelce was second on the Chiefs in targets (103) a season ago, but he scored fewer than eight points in 10 of 16 games. Still, he has posted back-to-back seasons with 850-plus yards and five touchdowns.
Los Angeles Rams
Lance Kendricks:
Receptions: 30
Rec yds: 357
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 59.7
The Rams ranked a mere 30th in the league in pass percentage last season, and their top fantasy tight end (Jared Cook) finished 32nd at the position despite being second on the team in targets (75) behind Tavon Austin. ... Rob Boras was promoted to coordinator last November, but his offense threw the football more than 23 times once in his four games in the role. Mike Groh, who is the passing-game coordinator, hasn't been a coordinator at the pro level. ... With Cooks now a member of the Packers, Lance Kendricks is slated to take over the top spot on the depth chart. While he is a solid blocker, Kendricks has averaged fewer than 10 yards a reception in each of the last three seasons.
Miami Dolphins
Jordan Cameron:
Receptions: 42
Rec yds: 503
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 74.3
In his three seasons as an NFL offensive coordinator, Adam Gase has produced two top-10 fantasy tight ends (Julius Thomas - 2013, 2014) and a third who finished in the top 20 (Zach Miller, 2015). Thomas was highly touchdown-dependent, however, as he found the end zone a combined 24 times in 27 games under Gase's watch. ... Jordan Cameron put up 80 catches, 917 yards and seven touchdowns in what was a breakout season for Cleveland in 2013. Since then, he's averaged 30 catches for 405 yards and has scored a combined five touchdowns in 26 games. While Gase did help Miller emerge as a viable fantasy option in the second half of 2015, Cameron isn't likely to be fantasy relevant this year.
Minnesota Vikings
Kyle Rudolph:
Receptions: 46
Rec yds: 500
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 74.0
In Norv Turner's last four seasons as an offensive coordinator, just one of his tight ends (Jordan Cameron, 2013) has had more than 60 catches or 600 yards. When Turner was the OC in Miami (2002-2003), Randy McMichael averaged a mediocre 541 yards and has scored a combined six touchdowns. ... Over the last two seasons, Kyle Rudolph has averaged just 2.16 targets per game. What's more, he's averaged fewer than two catches (1.44) in those 25 contests. After finding the end zone nine times in 16 games in 2012, Rudolph has scored just 10 times over his last 33 games. ... Despite finishing 14th in points at the position a season ago, Rudolph is likely to go undrafted in most 2016 leagues.
New England Patriots
Rob Gronkowski:
Receptions: 78
Rec yds: 1,153
Rec TDs: 11
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 181.3
Martellus Bennett:
Receptions: 55
Rec yds: 617
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 97.7
Over the last two seasons, Rob Gronkowski has been targeted more times (151) than any other tight end in the National Football League. In 2015, he led the Patriots in targets (120), catches (72), yards (1,176) and touchdowns (11). Over his six years in the NFL, Gronkowski has averaged one touchdown for every 5.8 receptions. He's also averaged almost 70 yards per contest in that period of time. ... Gronkowski has finished first or second in fantasy points among tight ends in each of his last four full seasons (he missed nine games in 2013). Furthermore, Gronk has never finished worse than fifth in points at the position in any single campaign where he played in at least 11 games.
New Orleans Saints
Coby Fleener:
Receptions: 73
Rec yds: 956
Rec TDs: 7
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 137.6
In his seven seasons as the team's coordinator, Pete Carmichael's offenses have produced five top-10 fantasy tight ends including Jimmy Graham (2011-2014) and Benjamin Watson (2015). Graham finished no worse than third during that time, while Watson came in at No. 7. ... Watson's 110 targets were the most he's ever had in a single season during his 12-year NFL career (he averaged 53 in the previous four seasons), which shows how much Carmichael likes to use the tight end position in his offense. ... Coby Fleener is a good bet to see 100-plus targets for the first time in his career and set a personal best in catches, which will make him a popular breakout choice in fantasy drafts.
New York Giants
Will Tye:
Receptions: 38
Rec yds: 406
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 64.6
In his first two seasons as the coordinator in New York, Ben McAdoo's offense has produced one top-12 fantasy tight end in Larry Donnell (2014). However, it should be noted that more than 25 percent of his fantasy points and 33 percent of his scores that season came in one contest. ... Of the team's 1,214 targets under McAdoo's watch, about 20 percent of them went to tight ends. With the return of Victor Cruz and the addition of rookie Sterling Shepard, it's difficult to see a scenario where that total increases in 2016. ... Will Tye did average six targets and four catches in his final eight games of last season, but he did that without Cruz, Donnell or Shepard on the roster.
New York Jets
Jace Amaro:
Receptions: 36
Rec yds: 398
Rec TDs: 3
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 57.8
The Men in Green didn't have much of a presence at tight end last season, as Jeff Cumberland led the position with a meager 14 targets. ... Obviously, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has not been one to utilize tight ends in his system. In fact, only one tight end not named Tony Gonzalez has recorded more than 500 yards in a single season under Gailey during his time as either an NFL head coach or coordinator. That was Scott Chandler, who finished 13th in fantasy points for Buffalo in 2011. ... Jace Amaro will return after missing last season with an injured shoulder, but targets will be few and far between with Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell in the mix.
Oakland Raiders
Clive Walford:
Receptions: 47
Rec yds: 518
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 81.8
Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave has had some success utilizing the tight end in the past, as Kyle Rudolph scored nine touchdowns when the two were together in Minnesota (2012). However, Musgrave hasn't had a single player at the position who has recorded more than 500 yards in his last six seasons as a coordinator. That includes Clive Walford, who led the team in targets (50) at the position but ranked a mere 30th in fantasy points last season. On a positive note, Walford did average around five targets over his last five games. ... Lee Smith is listed ahead of Walford on the team's initial depth chart, but he's a blocker and wouldn't alter Walford's late-round flier status.
Philadelphia Eagles
Zach Ertz:
Receptions: 70
Rec yds: 828
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 110.8
New head coach Doug Pederson served as the offensive coordinator in Kansas City during his three previous NFL seasons. Though Andy Reid called most of the action, fantasy owners should note that Travis Kelce ranked second in targets on the Chiefs and finished in the top 10 in fantasy points among tight ends in each of the last two years. Of course, Kelce didn't score more than five touchdowns in each of those seasons. ... Zach Ertz could be a potential sleeper/breakout candidate for the Eagles this season, but he needs to be more consistent. Over the last two seasons, 38 percent of Ertz's targets, and 44 percent of both his receptions and yardage came in his last four contests.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jesse James:
Receptions: 42
Rec yds: 457
Rec TDs: 4
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 69.7
In his time as an offensive coordinator and head coach between Arizona and Kansas City, Todd Haley never had a single tight end record more than 300 yards in a season. Of course, his best options at the position were Leonard Pope and Tony Moeaki. ... On a positive note, Heath Miller averaged 88 targets, 64 catches, 676 yards and four touchdowns in his four seasons under Haley. ... In 2015, Ladarius Green averaged 10.9 fantasy points in the four games he played without Antonio Gates in San Diego. Unfortunately, he'll start the season on the PUP list so he's widely undraftable. ... Jesse James has limited deep-league appeal as a No. 2 tight end.
San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates:
Receptions: 74
Rec yds: 781
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 114.1
The Chargers brought back Ken Whisenhunt to be their offensive coordinator, a role he served in for them in 2013. Antonio Gates led the team in targets (114) and finished ninth in fantasy points among tight ends that season. ... Before his tenures as an OC and head coach, Whisenhunt was a tight ends coach for the Ravens (1998-98), Jets (2000) and Steelers (2001-2003). ... While his tight ends had minimal statistical success during his time in Arizona, Whisenhunt did help Delanie Walker finish as a top-10 option over the last two seasons in Tennessee. ... Gates was targeted an average of 7.7 times per game in 2015, and that total could rise with Ladarius Green out of the mix.
San Francisco 49ers
Vance McDonald:
Receptions: 36
Rec yds: 421
Rec TDs: 3
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 114.1
New coach Chip Kelly hired Curtis Modkins to be his new offensive coordinator, but Kelly will call most of the action. ... During his three seasons as the head man in Philadelphia, Kelly's offense produced just one top-10 fantasy tight end (Zach Ertz, 2015). Ertz finished 14th in 2014, while Brent Celek ranked 15th in the 2014 campaign. ... Last season, the Niners targeted Vance McDonald a mere 46 times in the passing attack. That total led all tight ends on the roster. McDonald will compete with Garrett Celek and Bruce Miller for snaps during training camp and the preseason, but McDonald would be worth a deep-league flier at best even if he's able to secure a more prominent role.
Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Graham:
Receptions: 56
Rec yds: 667
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 0
Fantasy points: 96.7
Since 2011, Seattle tight ends have scored a mere 22 touchdowns under the guidance of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. That includes just three trips to the end zone last season (Jimmy Graham - 2, Luke Willson - 1). Graham missed five games last season due to an injured knee, but he averaged just 55 yards and 6.5 fantasy points per game. He would have finished ninth at the position had he filled a full season of stat sheets, but Graham would have also recorded almost 40 fewer points than he did in his final campaign in New Orleans. Also keep in mind that he compiled 39 percent of his 2015 points in just two games. ... Graham's status for Week 1 remains up in the air.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Seferian-Jenkins:
Receptions: 44
Rec yds: 422
Rec TDs: 5
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 72.2
Head coach Dirk Koetter has had some success with tight ends in the past, as Tony Gonzalez (2013, 2014) and Marcedes Lewis (2010) both had seasons with at least 700 yards and eight or more touchdowns under his watch. On the flip side, Koetter's top tight end has also failed to produce 550 yards and more than two touchdowns five times in his last nine years as a coordinator. ... Austin Seferian-Jenkins led all Tampa Bay tight ends in targets (39) and touchdowns (4) last season, but Cameron Brate could push him for snaps during the course of the season. Neither is worth more than a late-round flier in drafts.
Tennessee Titans
Delanie Walker:
Receptions: 81
Rec yds: 1,023
Rec TDs: 6
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 138.3
The Titans hired Terry Robiskie to be their new offensive coordinator under new head man Mike Mularkey. During his five seasons in that role for the Los Angeles Raiders, his offenses produced one legitimate fantasy option at tight end (Ethan Horton, 1991). During his time as the passing game coordinator in Washington, Stephen Alexander averaged fewer than four targets per game. ... In his defense, Robiskie hasn't had a lot of talented pass catchers at the position. That will change in Tennessee with Delanie Walker. He's led the team in targets in each of the last two years. Walker has also ranked no worse than eighth based on fantasy points at the position during that time.
Washington Redskins
Jordan Reed:
Receptions: 76
Rec yds: 1,001
Rec TDs: 7
Rush yds: 0
Rush TDs: 0
Fumbles lost: 1
Fantasy points: 140.1
In two seasons under head coach Jay Gruden and offensive coordinator Sean McVay, the Redskins have targeted tight ends a combined 269 times (or 25 percent of their total targets) in the passing attack. ... Jordan Reed has compiled 179 targets (or 7.16 targets per game) in that time, which is more than any other player on the roster aside from Pierre Garcon. Reed also led the entire team with 114 targets last season. ... Over his final 10 games, Reed averaged eight targets, six catches and 67 yards. He also scored 10 touchdowns in that time. He had scored a combined four touchdowns in his previous 24 contests combined. ... Reed has missed 12 games in his career due to injuries.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
