A Tale of Two Cities – the AFC TEs: Same Player, New Destination. Who stands to improve?

There were plenty of off season moves this year, but not all of them put players in better situations. Here, I take a look at the either  improved or still stagnant chances of veteran fantasy options in their new homes.

 

Eric Ebron, Detroit -> Indianapolis: Ebron has admitted that the only reason he’s in Indy is to be on the other end of Andrew Luck‘s arm. That arm has been in question for some time, but there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, as Luck has been seen throwing a “high school” ball in minicamp. If Luck can indeed make a triumphant return this season, Ebron may start an upward trend in fantasy relevance – Don’t forget he still has Jack Doyle to contend with for tight end targets though. Fortunately, it is expected that OC Frank Reich will be able to get both of his tight ends enough action to keep them viable in fantasy.

 

Virgil Green, Denver -> Los Angeles: Green going to Los Angeles from Denver would be a non-issue if not for Hunter Henry going down to a torn ACL in OTAs last month. Currently, Green is atop the depth chart on a Chargers team that is known for going to their tight ends with regularity. There have been murmurings that Antonio Gates will make a return, and that makes sense, but for now Green is the go-to, and he’ll still be involved even if Gates does return. He’s well worth adding to your rosters, even though we’ve only ever heard rumors of his on-field prowess. 

 

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, New York -> Jacksonville: ASJ has underwhelmed for 4 straight years, but he gets a new lease on life as a Jaguar this season, and they intend on making use of him – You don’t pay 4 million to a guy you don’t plan on getting involved. QB Blake Bortles has been better with a shortened field, so expect him to implement ASJ as a safety blanket. Niles Paul is his closest competition, and he hasn’t been a serious threat since dislocating his ankle in 2015. ASJ has the makings of a career year, but that’s not saying much as his best season was 50-357-3 in 2017.

 

Clive Walford, Oakland -> New York: It doesn’t feel like Walford has been in the league for 3 years, but maybe it’s because he doesn’t have too much to show for it. Of similar ilk as the man he’s replaced in New York, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, another overhyped and underproducing tight end, Walford may yet have his best season ahead of him. He’s still young, and he doesn’t have much competition on the depth chart. You could say his predicament isn’t dissimilar from his previous situation in Oakland, until Jared Cook came along, but maybe a change of scenery is just what Walford needs to get going.