One could say that today’s fantasy owners live in a golden era for tight ends.
In 2015, five tight ends averaged more than 65 receiving yards per game, which over the course of a 16-game schedule, would equate to more than 1,000 yards. Five tight ends also caught at least eight touchdown passes. Ten years ago, not a single tight end reached the 1,000-yard mark, and only two reached the end zone eight or more times.
It’s certainly an exciting age for tight ends, and that will only increase with the league’s latest top addition at the position: Hunter Henry.
The San Diego Chargers picked the 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end with the fourth selection in the second round. He should be one of the first players off the draft board in dynasty leagues this fall. He also has a chance to make an immediate impact during his rookie season in re-draft leagues.
Henry was clearly the top tight end in this draft, and perhaps the best prospect at the position in years. He was a consensus All-American selection in his junior season at Arkansas, catching 51 passes for 739 yards and three touchdowns. His transition to the NFL should also be easier than others due to the fact he played in a pro-style offense in college.
In his draft bio on NFL.com, Henry is compared to future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten. Henry has great athleticism for his size and noticeably good hands, but what really sets him apart is his blocking ability. He should join an elite group of tight ends that are both great pass-catchers and blockers.
Obviously, there are no fantasy points for blocking, and as bad as the Chargers’ offensive line was a year ago, he might be asked to do more blocking than owners might want him to. The good news is that his blocking will get him on the field quicker than other rookie tight ends, and it will also keep him on the field for third-down passing situations. Even if he’s designed to block on a play, there’s always the possibility of catching a pass after releasing from his blocking duties.
Ultimately, though, his fantasy value will depend upon how many targets he can take away from Antonio Gates. Although the former fantasy stud started just four games last season, he led all Charger tight ends with 85 targets. Despite missing five games, including four due to suspension, Gates had 56 catches, 630 yards and five touchdowns. That came out to an average of 8.4 fantasy points per week in standard leagues.
Ladarius Green started the remaining games at tight end for San Diego last season, receiving 63 targets and catching 37 of them for 429 yards and four touchdowns. Green is no longer with the Chargers, having departed for Pittsburgh in free agency.
Assuming Henry finishes his rookie season with the numbers Green posted last season, the rookie’s floor is around 450 yards and four scores. However, with Gates turning 36 before the start of the season, there are definitely questions about how well he will hold up. Henry is clearly the better blocker, so in one-tight-end sets on third down, the rookie might be the preferred option once he learns the offense. Henry could very well take on a much bigger role than Green ever did and become one of Philip Rivers’ favorite targets.
That potential should make the former Razorback tight end a decent handcuff option in re-draft leagues. If owners have a roster spot available for him in a late round, he’s definitely worth the flier.
However, he should be a top-20 rookie selection in dynasty leagues. Henry is the next great pass-catching tight end and should continue to add glory to the fantasy golden age at this position.
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