We’re back for the third and final edition of my fantasy football takeaways from OTAs. Last week I hit on running backs, earlier this week I touched on wide receivers, today I’m going to delve into some tight ends making some noise.
You know the drill, let’s get right to it.
1. Miami Dolphins Tight End Julius Thomas
When the Dolphins acquired Thomas from the Jaguars this offseason, I wrote about how I loved the moved for Miami. As the OTAs move along, seeing how active he is in their camp makes me believe in his upside that much more.
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Julius Thomas is going to be a thing this year if he stays healthy. Dolphins have multiple plays just for him.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) May 31, 2017
While I have no idea what “going to be a thing” translates to in the fantasy world, it can only be positive.
Thomas’ best two seasons came for the Broncos when current Head Coach Adam Gase was the offensive coordinator in Denver. As PFF points out, Thomas was the seventh-best TE in 2013 and the ninth-best in 2014. With OC Clyde Christensen adding that Thomas could score “10 plus TDs” this season, it would not surprise me if he was able to return to the Pro Bowl caliber player he was out in Denver.
After the struggles he experienced in Jacksonville, he sounds like a much more mature person off the field.
“I think this is the best I’ve ever felt,” Thomas said. “When I was younger somebody told me that the hardest part about playing when you get older is getting your body right and the game slows down. But I’m kind of in that sweet spot where the body still feels good and the game is slowing down.
The best medicine he took this offseason, in my humblest of opinions, was getting away from Blake Bortles.
Ryan Tannehill isn’t exactly Peyton Manning in his prime, be he’s a Pro Bowl caliber quarterback playing in Adam Gase’s system which is built to help quarterbacks thrive. Outside of DeVante Parker, the Dolphins don’t have a lot of redzone threats, so even if Thomas doesn’t accumulate a ton of yards, he will be a touchdown threat each and every week.
The main red flag is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy, but with an ADP in the 12th-round, that’s an easy pill to swallow for his upside potential.
2. Los Angeles Chargers Tight End Hunter Henry
Antonio Gates should be a first ballot Hall of Famer.
That shouldn’t be a problem for Hunter Henry much longer, as he turns 37 in June, and Father Time doesn’t mess around when it comes to 37-year-olds in the NFL.
One touchdown away from the all-time TD record for tight ends, Gates will still going to get his touches, but his days of getting more snaps than Hunter Henry are over.
Gates hauled in seven touchdowns last season, and with his elite route-running remains an effective redzone threat, but Henry not only had more (8) scores, but PFF graded him as the better overall player. Henry finished sixth in yards per route run among tight ends, also way ahead of Gates who ranked 24th.
I can already hear some concerns popping up in your head. But Zach, what about all the other options in the Chargers’ offense?
Well, you’re right. But I’m not worried.
Dontrelle Inman reportedly out for 6 weeks after surgery. Here’s what he’s offered to the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/6eXNzokV4U
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) May 20, 2017
Between Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman (when healthy), Travis Benjamin, first-round pick Mike Williams, the aforementioned Gates, running back Melvin Gordon, there are a lot of mouths to feed. However, when Rivers threw to Henry he had the most success. The sample size is relatively small, one season and just about half the snaps, but that should only mean more targets next season as Henry has a full offseason with the team under his belt. There were only two games where Henry received more than five targets, that number will at least double in 2017.
Allen, Inman, Benjamin, Williams and Gordon all have a history of injury issues. I am a big believer in Tyrell Williams, as someone has to stay healthy and catch the ball on the outside, but his sample size is small as well. In Henry, you’re getting a number one tight end, with a big role in a prolific offense with a Hall of Fame quarterback running the show.
What’s not to love?
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