-2018 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2018 Draft Kit
Brate was a situational player in his first two NFL seasons, but the 2014 undrafted free-agent signing has broken out for a pair of top-10 fantasy campaigns the past two seasons. Brate paced the position in touchdowns (eight) in 2016 but played a slightly lesser role with first-round pick O.J. Howard in the fold in 2017. Brate still managed a 10th-place finish last season, but after posting six-consecutive top-10 weeks to start the campaign, his playing time decreased, and he managed only one top-10 the rest of the season. Brate was signed through 2023 during the offseason, which suggests he'll remain heavily involved, but he's a risky investment with Howard looming.
Davis was supposed to play a complementary role in his first two seasons in Washington, but injuries to Jordan Reed led the veteran tight end to handle 44.1 snaps per game in the span. Davis made a splash with 648 receiving yards last season (his most since 2013). He has ranked top-10 among tight ends in yards per target, yards per reception and aDOT each of the past two seasons. The strong efficiency hasn't been fueled by much volume, however, especially when Reed is in the fold. Davis hasn't posted a fantasy campaign better than 19th at his positon since 2013. He's in the fantasy discussion only if Reed misses time.
Hooper was a popular 2017 breakout candidate, but he simply didn't emerge as a quality TE1 option. The 2016 third-round pick caught 49 of 64 targets for 526 yards and three touchdowns, finishing 17th at the position in fantasy points. He was held to four top-10 fantasy weeks, and none came after Week 10. Hooper ran a route on 69 percent of the team's pass plays and handled 4.0 targets per game. It's possible that he takes another step forward in his third year with the team in 2018. A boost in usage would be enough to get him into the TE1 discussion, and that's enough to make him a viable late-round flier in 2018 drafts.
Higbee was the high-scoring Rams' top tight end last season, but he was still far from fantasy relevance. The 2016 fourth-round pick was held to 25 receptions for 295 yards and one score. Teammate Gerald Everett (the team's second-round pick last year) was 420 snaps behind Higbee, but trailed him by only 58 routes and 13 targets. Everett is a logical candidate for a larger workload in his second season, which would further diminish Higbee's contributions. Higbee has struggled through two seasons and is a poor bet for a third-year leap.
Cook hasn't quite developed into the pass-catching superstar we hoped for when he was selected in the third round of the 2009 draft. However, he has handled a target share of at least 14 percent, when active, each of the past seven seasons. Cook has settled in as a decent receiver and was on the field for a career-high 78 percent of the offensive snaps last season, running a route on 77 percent of Oakland's pass plays. Cook's role might be reduced a bit during the Jon Gruden/Greg Olson regime, but with blockers Lee Smith and Derek Carrier behind him on the depth chart, Cook should see enough targets to allow TE2 numbers.
Graham signed a three-year deal with Green Bay during the offseason and, especially with Jordy Nelson out of the mix, the veteran tight end is positioned for a big role in one of the league's top offenses in 2018. Graham paced all tight ends in touchdowns (10) and was second in the entire NFL in end zone targets (19) last season. Graham settled in as a short-area target (7.7 aDOT) last season, which limited him to an extremely low 5.5 yards per target (third-lowest). The 31-year-old has finished top-10 at TE in routes, targets and receptions six of the past seven seasons. Graham is well-positioned for his ninth consecutive top-12 fantasy campaign.
The Chargers signed Green as a blocking complement to Hunter Henry, but the former Bronco is positioned for a much larger role after Henry tore his ACL in May. Green has two-way ability, though he has primarily focused on blocking during 100 career games in Denver. Green has run a route on only 28.2 percent of his career snaps and has never caught more than 22 passes in a season. He has four career touchdowns and has never scored more than one in a single season. Green may beat out his previous best fantasy season (40th in 2016), but he's unlikely to come close to TE1 numbers. He's no more than a sleeper in deeper leagues.
Willson has spent most of his five-year career as a backup -- most recently to Jimmy Graham in Seattle -- but the 2013 fifth-round pick has a shot at a much larger role in Detroit in 2018. Eric Ebron is gone, leaving Willson to compete with Michael Roberts and Levine Toilolo for snaps. Willson has never eclipsed 22 catches, 362 receiving yards or four touchdowns in a single season and is a long shot for fantasy relevance even if he starts for the Lions.