By The Hudsonian, Joshua Hudson
Transaction:Â The Cincinnati Bengals re-sign TE Tyler Eifert to a 1-year deal
2018 Fantasy Outlook: Oh, what a story. The yearly debate on whether Tyler Eifert can remain healthy to replicate is TE7 finish in 2015 when he had 13 TDs. This is why I hate relying on players that rely on TDs for fantasy success. Outside of that lone season, Eifert has a grand total of 7 TDs for his career. Basically, I avoid him like the plague and I implore you to do the same.
The Bengals however are a glutton for punishment. Eifert didn’t get the kind of offers he hoped — and if we’re being honest, why would anyone give him a multi-year deal? — so he settled for a one-year, prove-it deal with the Bengals in hopes he can remain healthy and strike the big free agent contract he feels he deserves. Don’t get me wrong, a healthy Eifert in the Bengals offense is top 10 option at tight end. I can count only 4 TEs that I would trust to draft and everyone else is a coin flip that I’m waiting until after round 9 to take a chance on.
But let’s play a round of hypotheticals. What if Eifert makes a deal with the Devil and is some how able to play at least 13 games? What would those numbers look like? We know the type of weapons the Bengals have. WR A.J. Green is one of the best WRs in football, able to easily get 1,300 yards and 10 TDs. I’m sure the Bengals are hoping that former 1st round pick John Ross elevates to be a true number 2 receiver that can take pressure off Green and stretch the field to the tune of 45 catches for 800 yards and 5 TDs. RB Joe Mixon is primed to be a force in the backfield and should approach 1,400 total yards and 7 TDs. Those are best case scenarios for the best of the Bengals weapons. Looking at those numbers, I don’t think it’s inconceivable for Eifert to get around 40 catches for 525 yards and 6 TDs. Nowadays, that’s TE1 range. Nothing to be over the moon about, sure, but if you can’t land any one of Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz, or Evan Engram, you’re likely playing match-ups and keeping a backup TE on your roster.
Even a healthy Eifert is nothing to get excited about. If you take anything from this write-up, it’s that right there. Don’t get cute on draft day.