Week 1 vs. New York Jets
Charles Clay is like many of the Bills skill players. Opportunity to contribute to the offense with Sammy Watkins gone is there. But will Clay be one of those players who benefits?.
Since coming over from the Dolphins, Clay has not been able to replicate what he did in Miami. However, the Week 1 matchup is favorable against a Jets defense that was 23rd in aFPA to tight ends in 2016.
Clay is not a Week 1 starter, but he is valued as a solid TE2. Clay is worth a roster spot as your primary backup to start the season.
Fantasy Upside
The Bills were hoping Charles Clay would continue to put up similar numbers as he did in Miami. With nagging injuries bothering him last year, he finally showed signs of being a reliable fantasy tight end, catching 21 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns in his final four games. With a lack of offensive weapons in the Bills offense, QB Tyrod Taylor might look to Clay even more as a safety blanket.
Fantasy Upside
Clay isn't an issue, as much as the Bills' overall offense is. They traded away their No. 1 receiver and brought back a guy that plays like a No. 2. It's hard to see this offense not being in the bottom-third of the league. Clay's numbers could be ugly.
2017 Bottom Line
Clay can be a legit fantasy tight end, but not in Buffalo. He is a low-end TE2 you can draft late for depth. But don't count on him being in your starting lineup much during the season; it would not be good for your fantasy team.
Week 17 at New York Jets
Charles Clay broke out with an eight-catch, 85-yard performance and added two touchdowns against the Dolphins last week. He has four touchdowns in his last three games and is giving his owners a push down the stretch. However, no Tyrod Taylor this week could hurt his production.
The Jets are 29th in aFPA to tight ends, so it's a good matchup for Clay. Even with E.J. Manuel at quarterback, start Clay as a low-end TE1 for Week 17.
Week 16 vs Miami
Charles Clay had one of the better games of the week for a tight end against Cleveland with seven catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Clay had zero touchdowns through the first 13 games, but now has scores in back-to-back games. It's puzzling why the Bills have not used him more considering the wide receiver situation.
In the first meeting with the Dolphins, Clay only had two catches. Miami is 27th in aFPA to tight ends, so the matchup is favorable, but the Bills passing game has been inconsistent. This should keep Clay on the bench for Week 16.
Week 15 vs Cleveland
Charles Clay scored his first touchdown of the season last Sunday, while catching three passes for 54 yards. It was basically his best fantasy outing of the season. The Bills have probably underutilized Clay, and even though he finally scored, we don't expect that to become a trend here late in the season.
It's a great matchup for Clay against Cleveland, who is 30th in aFPA to tight ends. That's not enough to get him into your lineup. Sit him as a TE2 for Week 15.
Week 11 at Cincinnati
Charles Clay remains destined to see a low share of targets, which means he can't put up any decent fantasy numbers. Two or three catches a game seems to be the norm. Even against Cincinnati (who is 31st in aFPA to tight ends), Clay doesn't have much value. Keep him on the bench for Week 11.
Week 9 at Seattle
Although he was targeted six times (which is his season average), Charles Clay only had two catches for six yards last wek. There have been too many games where Clay is not a factor, which is why he is not really considered a good fantasy option at tight end.
On the road in Seattle this week doesn't look good for Clay or the Bills. Clay rates a solid TE 2, but that should keep him on the bench for Week 9.
Week 8 vs. New England
With all the injuries to the Bills skills players, you would think Charles Clay would be a favorite target for QB Tyrod Taylor. However, Clay only had two receptions for 29 last week. His targets have been consistent around six, and he just isn't the same type of receiver he was in Miami.
The Patriots are not that great against tight ends this season, but that is not enough to convince us that Clay is a good play. Keep him on the bench as a low-end TE2 for Week 8.
Week 7 at Miami
Charles Clay has had exactly five catches in each of the last three games (so he has been consistent), but he is still looking for his first touchdown of the season. He was targeted seven times last week, which was the most of anyone on the team. Clay does have an ankle injury, but did practice and is expected to play.
Clay will face his former team on Sunday, and the Dolphins are 15th in aFPA to tight ends. Last season, Clay had mixed results with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 and one catch for 6 yards in Week 9.
The Bills offense will struggle on the road without LeSean McCoy, who injured his hamstring. Don't expect much from Clay other than what you have been getting (and that's not enough to start him for Week 7).
Week 6 vs San Francisco
Charles Clay had his best game of the season last week in Los Angeles with five receptions for 73 yards. It's puzzling why the Bills haven't used him more because of the lack of offensive weapons.
This week's opponent San Francisco 22nd in aFPA to tight ends. We want to see Clay continue to put up decent numbers, but until he does, his ranking stays down at a TE2 for Week 6.
