TE can be, for lack of other words, a fantasy hell hole.
Granted, 2019 presents more reliable options than recent history; nine to be specific:
+ George Kittle round out a clear list of set-and-forget options.
But what about the 3 (or more) other owners, stuck singing the TE blues? Streaming is meant for Ks and DEFs, not your seam-stretcher.
Thankfully, Week 5 & 6 could provide a Two-Step Fantasy Salvation Plan for the TE-tortured.
1) Stream Tyler Eifert in Week 5 vs. the Cardinals
Repeat after me: I will start any TE against the Cardinals.
I will start any TE against the Cardinals.
I will start any TE against the Cardinals.
Yes, Arizona is that bad versus Tight Ends. Their linebackers are atrocious, especially in coverage, and the team is surrendering 23.78 FPPG to the position. For reference, the second-worst Buccaneers are surrendering 15.8 FPPG — 8 full points less. Look at these game logs:
- Wk 1 = TJ Hockenson: 6 rec (9 tgts), 131 yards, 1 TD (22.1 FPs)
- Wk 2 = Mark Andrews: 8 rec (9 tgts), 112 yards, 1 TD (21.2 FPs)
- Wk 3 = Greg Olsen: 6 rec (7 tgts), 75 yards, 2 TDs (22.5)
- Wk 4 = Will Dissly: 7 rec (8 tgts), 57 yards, 1 TD (15.2)
Genuinely, my paraplegic grandma could stretch seams and score 15+ FPs against Arizona.
As such, even Tyler Eifert, who hasn’t topped 30 receiving yards and has a season high of 8 FPs, is worth starting in Week 5. He’s always been a major Red Zone threat at 6’6″ that can move. Against this team that’s surrendered 6 TE TDs in 4 weeks, Eifert should, at worst, hit pay dirt once.
Considering he’ll be useless far more often, though, Eifert streamers should be looking elsewhere for a season-long option. Thankfully, a potential weekly starter is about to return, and remains under 30% owned…
2) Stash Chris Herndon Now, Enjoy the Rewards Later
Set to return next week from a four-game suspension, Chris Herndon could be a legitimate set-and-forget option in 2019.
Herndon tied for the rookie lead in TDs (4), averaging 8.1 FPPG in his 14 GP. Unsurprising, as Sam Darnold loved him in the Red Zone, targeting him on 17% of his throws. He makes contested grabs, is dangerous after the catch, and uses his 6’4″ frame to body defenders.
He’s also an exceptional blocker, which makes him even more dangerous as a true every-down threat that can disguise plays. HC Adam Gase has raved about this, calling Herndon a “unicorn” for his ability to “do it in all three phases of the game.”
“I think Chris is unique. I don’t think you find a lot of tight ends that are able to be on the field all three downs. He’s a very good receiver, he’s very good in the run game and he did a really good job in pass protection last year… you have some flexibility there because he covers a lot of ground there.”
Consequently, Yahoo’s Charles Robinson labeled Herndon a “high impact, high priority target” for Darnold, with “the talent to become an elite every down TE.” He played all of Sam Darnold’s first team snaps this preseason. He hauled in a beautiful 32 yard bomb in the process.
Though not a lock, Herndon has the talent and could find the usage to be a meaningful every-week threat, especially in the Red Zone. Gase helped scheme back-to-back 12 TD seasons for Julius Thomas, after all, and Herndon offers equal, if not more, mismatch potential.
Thus, check your Waiver Wires and stash Herndon wherever available. His appeal is even juicier with Eifert offering the perfect one-week bridge to Herndon’s season-long fantasy upside.
