Stephen Anderson
  • Stephen Anderson

  • TE
  • ,
  • 31
  • 230 lbs
  • 6' 2"
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Scouting report

by Bob Harris

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - 2018 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside
Anderson caught 25 passes for 342 yards and one touchdown last year. As Bleacher Report notes, he moves like a big receiver, which creates matchup problems for defenses. B/R added, "His route running has developed, and he looks like a top tight end in terms of separation. He had issues with drops and making adjustments on the fly, but he was mostly working with backup quarterbacks." When all was said and done, Anderson ranked third on the Texans in receiving yards, and, as SBNation.com suggests, was the only somewhat consistent receiving option at tight end in 2017.

Fantasy Downside
Anderson is more of a slot receiver than an every-down tight end. Specifically, his shortcomings as a blocker keep him off the field in running situations.

2018 Bottom Line
With the team drafting a pair of TEs in April, Jordan Aikens in the third round and Jordan Thomas in the sixth, to go with Ryan Griffin. All three are bigger-bodied players than Anderson, who at best will be the second option to Griffin. That secondary role will likely relegate Anderson to DFS bargain-basement fodder barring a significant change of circumstances.

by Scot Berggren

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - Week 17 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 17 at Indianapolis Colts

Stephen Anderson did not receive a look from Houston QBs last Monday in the loss to the Steelers. In the November defeat to the Colts, he caught 4 passes for 44 yards, but there is no reason for him to be a part of your fantasy lineup in the rematch.

by Scot Berggren

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - Week 16 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 16 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

T.J. Yates came Stephen Anderson’s way 3 times last Sunday in the humiliating loss at Jacksonville, but Anderson was held without a catch. In the past two weeks, the TE has only 2 grabs and Yates will again be under center for Houston on Christmas afternoon against the No. 5 ranked pass defense. There is no reason for Anderson to be in any fantasy lineup.

by Scot Berggren

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - Week 15 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 15 at Jacksonville Jaguars

Even with all of the injuries to the Houston pass-catchers and a monstrous previous week, Stephen Anderson had a disappointing performance last Sunday in the home loss to the 49ers. It didn’t help that Will Fuller returned from his ribs injury, but on 6 targets by Texans’ QBs, Anderson recorded only 2 catches for 16 yards. He’ll be Houston’s starting TE again, but will be facing the league’s top pass defense. Look elsewhere for your starter.

by Scot Berggren

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - Week 14 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 14 vs. San Francisco 49ers

With C.J. Fiedorowicz leaving last week’s game at Tennessee with a concussion, Stephen Anderson filled in impressively. Tom Savage came Anderson’s way 12 times, leading to 5 grabs for 79 yards and his first TD of the year. While he only has 22 receptions on the season, Anderson should again be an important part of the Texans passing attack, especially with Braxton Miller in his own concussion protocol. He’s a risky play, but owners could be rewarded against the No. 19 pass defense.

by Scot Berggren

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - Week 10 Fantasy Football Outlook

Week 10 at Los Angeles Rams

With starting TE Ryan Griffin missing most of last week’s game due to a concussion, Stephen Anderson stepped in and caught 4 passes for 44 yards. He was targeted 6 times by Tom Savage, as Houston was behind for much of the contest. Anderson has 14 grabs on the season and will get the start this week against a stout Rams defense. He should only be started if your regular TE is out or on bye.

by Bob Harris

HOU TE Stephen Anderson - 2017 Fantasy Football Outlook

Fantasy Upside

If we're reaching for positives here, Stephen Anderson is a little bit different than the Texans' other two tight ends, C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin. As USA Today outlined it, Fiedorowicz is a rugged blocker who runs sharp routes and has sound hands. Griffin resembles a basketball forward and is difficult to tackle in the open field. Anderson is a converted receiver and more of an H-back type who caught 11 passes for 93 yards and one score as a rookie. Of the two, Anderson is more like Fiedorowicz as a flex tight end, but his ability to win after the catch was uncanny in college.

Fantasy Downside

At this point, Anderson is considered a quality backup to both Fiedorowicz and Griffin.

2017 Bottom Line

Led by Fiedorowicz and Griffin, the Texans tight ends, including Anderson, combined for a franchise positional record with 115 catches and 1,094 receiving yards. With Anderson third in the pecking order, it's hard to make a case for him being fantasy relevant.

Stephen Anderson news