NFL training camp previews for all 32 teams.

[Greenbacks]

Indianapolis Colts

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Projections
Jack Doyle: 67 rec, 617 yards, 6 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 97.7 fantasy points
Erik Swoope: 26 rec, 309 yards, 2 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 40.9 fantasy points

The Colts ranked tied for sixth in targets and tied for sixth in red-zone chances last season, so it's evident that offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski likes to use the position. ... As the tight ends coach in San Diego, Chudzinski helped Gates to four top-10 finishes including two top-threes and a pair of seasons at No. 1. 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 Jack Doyle, who will be a popular breakout candidate in all fantasy drafts.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jacksonville Jaguars

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Projections
Marcedes Lewis: 24 rec, 239 yards, 2 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 35.9 fantasy points

Jacksonville was tied for 10th in tight end targets and tied for 22nd in red-zone targets a season ago. ... Julius Thomas was just fifth in targets (51) on the team, but he missed seven games and is no longer on the roster. ... The current depth chart sees Marcedes Lewis and Mychal Rivera as the top options at the position, but neither is worth a look in fantasy drafts. Since scoring 10 touchdowns in 2010, Lewis has scored a combined 11 times in his last six seasons. ... Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has served that role for three seasons between Buffalo and Jacksonville. In that time, he's never had a tight end rank better than 19th in fantasy points (Scott Chandler - 2013).

 

[Greenbacks]

Kansas City Chiefs

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Projections
Travis Kelce: 78 rec, 1,004 yards, 5 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 130.4 fantasy points

The Chiefs finished fourth in targets and tied for third in red-zone opportunities among tight ends, which is a surprise to no one when you consider that Travis Kelce had a career season. He led the offense in targets (117), receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,125), and finished second on the team in touchdown catches (4) and first in fantasy points at the position. While he warrants a top-four rank among tight ends in drafts, Kelce could be hard pressed to repeat his overall totals. During a six-game stretch, he recorded 100-plus yards five times and averaged seven receptions for 108 yards. In his previous nine games, Kelce averaged a far less impressive five catches for 52 yards.

 

[Greenbacks]

Los Angeles Chargers

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Projections
Hunter Henry: 56 rec, 595 yards, 6 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 95.5 fantasy points
Antonio Gates: 45 rec, 502 yards, 5 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 80.2 fantasy points

The Chargers ranked tied for eighth in tight end targets and were first in red-zone targets in 2016. Those totals were due to the success of Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry, who combined for 39 red-zone looks and 15 touchdown catches. Henry is projected to see a bigger role in offense this season, however, so he's the tight end to target of the duo. ... Before his tenures as an offensive coordinator and head coach, Ken Whisenhunt was a tight ends coach for the Ravens (1998-1998), Jets (2000) and Steelers (2001-2003). While his tight ends had minimal success in Arizona, Whisenhunt did help Delanie Walker rank in the top-10 in Tennessee. Henry could be his next star at the position.

 

[Greenbacks]

Los Angeles Rams

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Projections
Tyler Higbee: 32 rec, 298 yards, 3 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 47.8 fantasy points
Gerald Everett: 28 rec, 303 yards, 3 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 46.3 fantasy points

Los Angeles was tied for 14th in targets and 28th in red-zone chances among tight ends last season. ... Lance Kendricks led the team's tight ends in targets (87), but he's no longer on the roster. That leaves the duo of Tyler Higbee and rookie Gerald Everett as the top options for new coach Sean McVay, whose tight ends combined to have the most receiving yards at the position last season in Washington. ... McVay's offense in L.A. might not have Jordan Reed or Vernon Davis, but he will feature the position none the less. That makes both Higbee and Everett worth watching in the preseason, though neither would be worth more than a late flier in fantasy re-drafts.

 

[Greenbacks]

Miami Dolphins

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Projections
Julius Thomas: 45 rec, 498 yards, 5 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 79.8 fantasy points

The Dolphins finished 31st in tight end targets and tied for 26th in red-zone chances a season ago. ... In his three seasons as an offensive coordinator, Adam Gase produced two top-10 fantasy tight ends (Julius Thomas - 2013, 2014) and a third who finished in the top 20 (Zach Miller - 2015). He lacked a pass catcher at the position last season in Miami, but the team added Thomas this offseason. The veteran was touchdown dependent under Gase in Denver, however, as he found the end zone a combined 24 times in 27 games. The fact that he knows the offense and Gase's tendencies in the red zone is a positive, but Thomas has been too prone to injuries to be drafted outside of the late rounds.

 

[Greenbacks]

Minnesota Vikings

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Projections
Kyle Rudolph: 68 rec, 721 yards, 7 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 114.1 fantasy points

The Vikings ranked tied for eighth in targets and second in red-zone targets among tight ends last season, as Kyle Rudolph exploded for career bests in targets (132), receptions (83), yards (840) and touchdowns (seven). His 132 targets led all tight ends, as did his 25 red-zone targets, and his seven scored were tied for third-most. Rudolph might see a slight decline after what was a "magical" season, but he's still a lock No. 1 option in drafts. ... Over his last eight seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur has produced two top-10 and four top-15 tight ends. Shurmur utilizes the position as his leading tight end averages 111 targets over the last three years.

 

[Greenbacks]

New England Patriots

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Projections
Rob Gronkowski: 75 rec, 1,049 yards, 10 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 164.9 fantasy points
Dwayne Allen: 17 rec, 150 yards, 1 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 21.0 fantasy points

New England was 16th in tight end targets and 17th in red-zone chances a season ago, but those numbers don't reflect what fantasy fans will see with Rob Gronkowski back on the field. In 2015, he led the Patriots in targets (120), receptions (72), receiving yards (1,176) and touchdown catches (11). Over his seven years in the NFL, Gronkowski has averaged 0.77 touchdowns per contest. He's also averaged almost 70 yards per contest in that time. ... Gronkowski has finished first or second in fantasy points among tight ends in each of his last four full seasons, though he's missed eight or more games twice since 2013. While there is risk due to injuries, Gronkowski will be a top-30 choice.

 

[Greenbacks]

New Orleans Saints

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Projections
Coby Fleener: 53 rec, 608 yards, 5 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 89.3 fantasy points

The Saints finished tied for 18th in targets and tied for ninth in red-zone targets among tight ends in 2016. ... Coby Fleener led the team's tight ends with 82 targets and 18 red-zone chances, but he ranked out of the top 10 at the position. Reports that Fleener now has a better understanding of the offense are positive. He could return some value as a late-round flier in fantasy drafts this season. ... In his previous seven seasons as the team's coordinator, Pete Carmichael's offenses produced five top-10 fantasy tight ends including Jimmy Graham (2011-2014) and Watson (2015). Graham finished no worse than third during that time, while Watson was seventh. Fleener finished 12th a season ago.

 

[Greenbacks]

New York Giants

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Projections
Evan Engram: 40 rec, 448 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 68.8 fantasy points

The Giants ranked 17th in tight end targets and tied for 26th in red-zone chances last season. In his first two seasons as the coordinator in New York, Ben McAdoo's offense produced one top-12 fantasy tight end in Larry Donnell (2014). However, Mac's first season as the head coach returned little success at the position. Will Tye, who ranked fourth on the team in targets, finished 34th in fantasy points. ... The G-Men added Evan Engram in the NFL draft, and he projects to start as a rookie. His ceiling could be limited though, as the G-Men boast a trio of talented wide receivers in Odell Beckham Jr., Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard. That makes the Ole Miss product worth a late flier.

 

[Greenbacks]

New York Jets

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Projections
Austin Seferian-Jenkins: 38 rec, 395 yards, 3 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 55.5 fantasy points

Gang Green was dead last in the league in targets and 31st in red-zone targets among tight ends a season ago. In short, the team's production at the position was pitiful. ... Austin Seferian-Jenkins led their tight ends with 17 targets, 10 catches and 110 yards. Those were his totals for the entire season. To compare, Kelce had 14 targets, 11 catches and 108 yards in his first two games. While Seferian-Jenkins did show some flashes of potential earlier in his career and the Jets lack for effective pass catchers, but he still isn't a draftable asset in fantasy land. The veteran out of Washington is also suspended for the first two games of the season, which decreases his value further.

 

[Greenbacks]

Oakland Raiders

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Projections
Jared Cook: 38 rec, 427 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 66.7 fantasy points

The Raiders finished tied for 28th in tight end targets and tied for 22nd in red-zone opportunities in 2016, as their leading player at the position (Clive Walford) saw just 3.5 targets a game. ... The Raiders added Jared Cook in the offseason, however, so he projects as the new top option at the position. While he's an upgrade over Walford, Cook is still a No. 2 option in drafts. ... Todd Downing has been promoted to offensive coordinator, but the same system that former coordinator Bill Musgrave left behind will remain mostly intact. That could be bad news for Cook, as Musgrave didn't have a single tight end finish with more than 500 receiving yards in the last six seasons in his system.

 

[Greenbacks]

Philadelphia Eagles

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Projections
Zach Ertz: 64 rec, 769 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 98.9 fantasy points

The Eagles ranked first in targets and tied for third in red-zone targets among tight ends, which helped Zach Ertz have his finest fantasy season. In fact, he ranked fifth in targets (106), receptions (78) and receiving yards (816) to go along with a sixth-place finish in fantasy points at the position. However, Ertz's trend of not producing on a consistent basis until late in the season continued. A total of 51 percent of his receptions, 54 percent of his yards and 75 percent of his touchdown catches came over his last five games. In his previous two seasons, 38 percent of Ertz's targets and 44 percent of both his receptions and yardage came in his last four contests. Those are notable stats.

 

[Greenbacks]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Projections
Jesse James: 44 rec, 422 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 66.2 fantasy points
Xavier Grimble: 16 rec, 157 yards, 2 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 27.7 fantasy points

Pittsburgh was 12th in tight end targets and 16th in red-zone targets a season ago, but Jesse James was the team's leader in fantasy points at the position -- and he ranked 30th. James is a good bet to lead Pittsburgh's tight ends in targets again after the release of Ladarius Green, but his ceiling is low in an offense full of playmakers. ... In his last 10 seasons as either a head coach or offensive coordinator, Todd Haley has produced just one top-10 fantasy tight end (Heath Miller - 2012). His next best performers were Miller (11th, 2014) and Tony Moeaki (20th, 2010), so Haley hasn't had a lot of success at the position. ... Xavier Grimble is a player to watch, but he's not yet draftable.

 

[Greenbacks]

San Francisco 49ers

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Projections
Vance McDonald: 29 rec, 346 yards, 2 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 46.6 fantasy points

The 49ers finished 20th in targets and tied for 20th in red-zone chances among tight ends in the last season under former head coach Chip Kelly. ... New head man Kyle Shanahan hasn't had a whole lot of success with tight ends in his career as an offensive coordinator, either. In his last six seasons in that role, Shanahan hasn't had a single tight end finish better than 12th in fantasy points. Furthermore, the average finish of his best tight end (based on fantasy points) since 2012 is 30th. That doesn't bode well for the prospects of Vance McDonald and Garrett Celek, who combined to see 96 targets in the offense last season. Neither tight end is a draftable asset in 2017 fantasy leagues.

 

[Greenbacks]

Seattle Seahawks

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Projections
Jimmy Graham: 67 rec, 864 yards, 6 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 122.4 fantasy points

The Seahawks ranked tied for 12th in tight end targets and tied for ninth in red-zone targets last season, as Jimmy Graham re-emerged from the shadows to once again become a legitimate fantasy starter. He was seventh in targets (95), eighth in receptions (65), third in yards (923) and tied for third in touchdowns (seven) at the position. Seattle tight ends had scored a mere 22 touchdowns in the previous five seasons under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell. ... Graham has now finished in the top 10 in fantasy points in each of his last six full seasons at the NFL level. In 2015, he projected to finish ninth in points at the position based on the statistics from his 11 active contests.

 

[Greenbacks]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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Projections
O.J. Howard: 41 rec, 423 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 69.4 fantasy points
Cameron Brate: 43 rec, 452 yards, 4 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 69.2 fantasy points

Tampa Bay was 14th in targets and tied for sixth in red-zone chances among tight ends in 2016, as Cameron Brate emerged into a legitimate No. 1 fantasy tight end. His 82 targets were third on the team, and his 17 red-zone targets were second on the Buccaneers behind Mike Evans (19) and tied for seventh at the position around the league. The addition of O.J. Howard in the NFL draft appears to be a major road block in Brate's return to being a top-10 option again, however. Neither player is worth more than a late choice in redraft formats. ... Dirk Koetter's top tight end has failed to produce 550 yards and more than two scores five times in his last 10 seasons as a head coach or coordinator.

 

[Greenbacks]

Tennessee Titans

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Projections
Delanie Walker: 62 rec, 766 yards, 6 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 110.6 fantasy points

The Titans finished tied for 10th in tight end targets and tied for 13th in red-zone targets one season ago. ... Delanie Walker ranked sixth in targets (102), ninth in receptions (65), sixth in receiving yards (800), tied for third in touchdowns (seven) and tied for seventh in red-zone targets (17) at the position, but he was down in the first three categories compared to the previous season. With Corey Davis and Eric Decker now added to a pass attack that also includes incumbent wideout Rishard Matthews, fantasy fans have to wonder if Walker's 2016 numbers will serve as his ceiling this season. Regardless, he's still well placed in the No. 1 fantasy tight end conversation heading into drafts.

 

[Greenbacks]

Washington Redskins

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Projections
Jordan Reed: 76 rec, 923 yards, 7 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 132.3 fantasy points
Vernon Davis: 30 rec, 347 yards, 3 TDs, 0 rush yards, 0 rush TDs, 52.7 fantasy points

The Redskins ranked fifth in targets and tied for 13th in red-zone targets among tight ends in 2016. ... Jordan Reed finished fourth in targets (89) on the team overall, but he was first in terms of targets per game (7.4). The problem, which has been a consistent one for Reed at the NFL level, is that he missed four games due to injuries. The veteran has now missed a combined 18 games in four seasons, and he's entering camp on the PUP list with a toe issue. Still, his upside in a pass-laden offense that lost both DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon makes him a lock to be one of the first four tight ends taken in all fantasy drafts. Just beware, there is risk with Reed in fantasy drafts.

 

[Greenbacks]

I`ll do running backs tomorrow.