Week 6 - Green vs. Oakland
Ladarius Green had just one catch for eight yards last week. He did have a TD called back in the win over Oakland, but was still only officially targeted one time. Green remains a risky play - outside of one game this season he just hasn't been a factor in terms of fantasy production.
Week 5 - Green vs. NY Jets
Green didn't play last week but is expected to be back in action this week. He's coming off a Week 3 game at Buffalo where he caught four balls for 64 yards. It's a good matchup this week as the Jets are 24th in allowing fantasy points to TEs, but Eddie Royal seems to be taking away some targets from the SD tight ends the last two weeks.
Week 4 - Green vs. Jacksonville
We had a Ladarius Green sighting last week... he caught four balls for 64 yards and was targeted six times.
While Antonio Gates was targeted just once, we're left to wonder if this is the start of the team putting Green back in the playbook. Perhaps the loss of Danny Woodhead was a factor, so it will be interesting to see if Green now becomes more active. It's a great matchup this week but Green remains a risky play until we see more.
Week 3 - Green vs. Buffalo
Ladarius Green played on 26 snaps but didn't record a target in Week 2 against the Seahawks. Despite a friendly matchup against the Bills this week, Green just isn't a safe play in any format, especially after Antonio Gates is coming off a line of 7-96-3 from Week 2.
Week 2 vs. Seattle
Ladarius Green had just two catches for 24 yards on two targets. It was a great matchup for SD TEs so perhaps owners took a chance on him. But the mystery of Green's use continues. He's not safe for lineups until we see more.
Week 1 vs Cardinals
Ladarius Green put together a pretty impressive mini-stretch last year, but as quickly as he came out of nowhere, he disappeared even quicker. Green comes into this week ranked 16th on our list just two spots below teammate Antonio Gates. The two will likely steal targets from each other so if you're an owner it may be best to see how this unfolds first. It's a great matchup as the Cards rank 32nd in allowing fantasy points to TEs, but Green is ranked as just a low-end TE2 option coming into this contest.
Fantasy Upside
Ladarius Green went from 39 offensive snaps in 2012 to 450 in 2013. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the plan is for that number to rise again in 2014. New TEs coach Pete Metzelaars helped mentor Green in blocking this offseason. The 6-7 coach made a 16-year career from specializing in the area. His work with the 6-6 Green, a willing but imperfect blocker with a thin frame, should help keep the 24-year-old on the field. His route running, though, seems most improved from last season. Green is moving better in and out of his breaks. Last year, Antonio Gates played 1,083 snaps on offense. The disparity between him and Green likely will narrow this season, helping keep Gates fresh.
Fantasy Downside
It's still difficult to project the number of targets Green will attract in the passing game. Remember: OC Frank Reich and Philip Rivers have plenty weapons. The veteran backfield runs three-deep. Wide receivers Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd and Eddie Royal often will share a field. So will the tight ends.
Bottom Line
That wealth of talent could be a plus, too. "The ball goes to the open guy in this offense," Royal said. "When Ladarius is on the field, he's normally the open guy. ..." And that highlights the question for fantasy owners: How much will Green be on the field? He had more than five targets in a game just once last season. That has to change before we'll see his much-anticipated breakout.
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