Fantasy Index

header banner img
OUR FANTASY BASEBALL MAGAZINE IS BACK! PRE-ORDER NOW
Win here.

Around the NFL

Jordan Reed

Concussion-prone difference-maker wants to keep playing

Washington released Jordan Reed yesterday. The tight end is currently healthy, but that was the case a year ago, too. He played in one preseason game, caught one pass, took a huge (penalized) hit, and was done for the season. He apparently wants to continue his career, but from the outside it seems like a mistake.

Reed's talent will likely get him a look from a few teams, because when he's able to stay on the field, he's a difference-maker. Prior to last year, he was able to play in at least 12 games in three of the previous four seasons (2015, 2016 and 2018). On a per-game basis, those were three of the best 75 fantasy performances by a tight end (minimum 8 starts) over those four years -- and two of the top 15 (Standard scoring). Only Gronk and Kelce had better seasons than Reed's 2015 campaign.

TIGHT END FF POINTS, PER GAME (2014-2018)
YearPlayerStNoYdsTDFPG
2015Rob Gronkowski, N.E.154.878.4.7312.2
2018Travis Kelce, K.C.166.483.5.6312.1
2015Jordan Reed, Wash.146.268.0.7911.5
2017Rob Gronkowski, N.E.144.977.4.6011.3
2015Tyler Eifert, Cin.134.047.31.0010.7
2018George Kittle, S.F.165.586.7.3310.7
2018Zach Ertz, Phil.167.372.7.5010.3
2017Travis Kelce, K.C.155.569.2.5310.1
2015Delanie Walker, Tenn.156.374.9.4210.0
2015Gary Barnidge, Clev.164.965.2.569.9
2018Eric Ebron, Ind.164.146.4.889.9
2017Zach Ertz, Phil.135.561.5.629.8
2015Greg Olsen, Car.164.869.0.449.5
2016Jordan Reed, Wash.125.557.2.508.7
2018O.J. Howard, T.B.103.456.5.508.7
2016Travis Kelce, K.C.165.370.0.278.6
2016Jimmy Graham, Sea.154.360.8.408.5
2015Antonio Gates, S.D.115.157.3.458.5
2016Cameron Brate, T.B.133.947.2.628.4
2016Delanie Walker, Tenn.154.354.1.478.2
2016Greg Olsen, Car.165.067.1.218.0
2016Kyle Rudolph, Minn.165.252.5.447.9
2018Jared Cook, Oak.164.356.0.387.9
2015Travis Kelce, K.C.164.554.7.367.6
2016Zach Ertz, Phil.145.658.3.297.5
2015Benjamin Watson, N.O.164.651.6.387.4
2018Evan Engram, NYG114.155.7.307.4
2016Zach Miller, Chi.104.748.6.407.3
2017Evan Engram, NYG154.348.1.407.2
2017Jimmy Graham, Sea.163.632.5.657.1
2015Will Tye, NYG84.348.4.387.1
2016Martellus Bennett, N.E.163.444.4.447.1
2016Antonio Gates, S.D.143.839.1.506.9
2018Rob Gronkowski, N.E.133.652.5.236.6
2015Jimmy Graham, Sea.114.455.0.186.6
2017Delanie Walker, Tenn.164.650.4.256.5
2015Crockett Gillmore, Balt.103.341.2.406.5
2015Zach Ertz, Phil.155.056.9.136.5
2016Eric Ebron, Det.134.754.8.156.4
2016Hunter Henry, S.D.152.431.9.536.4
2015Richard Rodgers, G.B.163.632.6.526.4
2017Kyle Rudolph, Minn.163.633.3.506.3
2015Julius Thomas, Jac.123.837.9.426.3
2017Jack Doyle, Ind.155.346.0.276.2
2015Eric Ebron, Det.143.438.4.366.0
2017Cameron Brate, T.B.163.036.9.385.9
2018Trey Burton, Chi.163.435.7.405.9
2018Greg Olsen, Car.93.032.3.445.9
2017Hunter Henry, LAC143.241.4.295.9
2017Tyler Kroft, Cin.142.928.5.505.9
2016Julius Thomas, Jac.93.331.2.445.8
2018Austin Hooper, Atl.164.441.3.275.7
2017Vernon Davis, Wash.103.139.4.305.7
2016Vance McDonald, S.F.112.235.5.365.7
2018Vance McDonald, Pitt.153.340.7.275.7
2017O.J. Howard, T.B.141.930.9.435.7
2015Martellus Bennett, Chi.114.839.9.275.6
2016Dwayne Allen, Ind.142.529.0.455.6
2015Jason Witten, Dall.164.844.6.195.6
2016Jack Doyle, Ind.163.736.5.315.5
2018David Njoku, Cle.163.539.9.255.5
2018Kyle Rudolph, Min.164.039.6.255.5
2016Coby Fleener, N.O.163.139.6.255.5
2015Ladarius Green, S.D.132.833.0.365.5
2015Charles Clay, Buff.133.940.6.235.4
2017Jason Witten, Dall.163.935.0.315.4
2016Jason Witten, Dall.164.342.1.195.3
2016C.J. Fiedorowicz, Hou.153.637.3.275.3
2016Dennis Pitta, Balt.165.445.6.135.3
2016Charles Clay, Buff.153.836.8.275.3
2015Zach Miller, Chi.142.431.4.365.3
2018Jordan Reed, Was.134.242.9.155.2
2017Charles Clay, Buff.133.842.9.155.2
2017Eric Ebron, Det.163.335.9.255.1
2017Jared Cook, Oak.163.443.0.135.1

Of course 2015 was five years and a slew of injuries (and concussions) ago. It's not for any of us to tell Reed what to do with his life. But speaking purely from a fantasy perspective, it's hard to justify taking a flier on him. And I think the vast majority of NFL teams will be unwilling to take a shot at signing him to a contract and putting him on the field.

As a side note, Washington should be viewed as a strong candidate to select a tight end early in the 2020 NFL Draft. Vernon Davis (also hurt most of last year) retired. Rostered tight ends for the team currently include Jeremy Sprinkle, Hale Hentges and Caleb Wilson. Hentges, a former undrafted free agent, is the potential flier from a dynasty perspective, having caught 6 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown the last two games last season. (Sprinkle started 13 games last year and averaged 2 catches in those contests.) But more realistically the team will be looking for a new starter in free agency and/or the draft.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index