Week 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
After back-to-back weeks of getting just two targets, Delanie Walker got six last week, responding with three catches for 43 yards. He could have a nice advantage against the Chargers, who are missing both starting safeties. Walker is a low-end TE1 again this week.
Week 6 at Denver Broncos
Delanie Walker has gotten two targets in each of the past two games for the Titans. And it added up to just one catch for 10 yards last week. Ouch. He's still Marcus Mariota's favorite -- and most consistent -- target, which is the scary thing. This passing offense is putrid. And Denver's pass defense is tough. Walker is a low-end TE1 play this week.
Week 5 vs. Buffalo Bills
Delanie Walker had his first disappointing game of 2019, catching just one of two targets for four yards. He also fumbled, which certainly didn't help. The Bills have allowed just 15 catches for 84 yards in their first four games to the tight end position, which makes them the second-best fantasy TE defense. Be aware of that fact if you're putting Walker in your lineup. He's a low-end TE1 start this week.
Week 4 at Atlanta Falcons
Delanie Walker just keeps ticking like a watch. He had seven catches for 69 yards last week on nine targets and continues to be Marcus Mariota's main target. But Walker also is dealing with a knee injury this week. Check his status Friday, as Walker is a guy who doesn't need a lot of practice to play. He's a solid TE1 play, especially given we've gotten into the bye weeks.
Week 3 vs. at Jacksonville Jaguars
Walker got six targets for the second week in a row and turned that into four receptions for 39 yards in a so-so game. He's still going to be the primary red-zone target in this offense as his two touchdowns in Week 1 show. Walker has averaged 4.5 catches for 58 yards over his career against the Jaguars and their safeties aren't great. If you must start somebody in the Tennessee passing game this week, Walker is the guy to target.
Week 2 vs. Indianapolis Colts
Delanie Walker announced his return with authority last week with five catches for 55 yards and two touchdowns on six targets. If there was any question whether the 35-year-old still had it, it was answered. That said, things could be a little more difficult against the Colts, who have traditionally limited Walker pretty well. In 11 career games against the Colts, he's scored just four touchdowns. Still, given his workload, Walker is a TE1 play this week.
Week 1 at Cleveland
Nobody is more happy to see Delanie Walker back on the field than Marcus Mariota. Walker has long been Mariota's favorite receiver and should be again in this game. If there is a weakness in the Cleveland secondary, it's at safety. Walker will take advantage of that. Walker is a nice, safe low-end TE1 play this week. He won't put up monster numbers, but you can pencil him in for at least three receptions and no less than 40 yards.
Fantasy Upside
From 2013 to 2017, Delanie Walker averaged 71 receptions for 831 yards and five touchdowns, making him a TE1 in all formats. He's a favorite target of Marcus Mariota, which helps with that production.
Fantasy Downside
At 35, Walker is coming off a season in which he played just one game because of injury. Will age finally catch up with him in 2019?
2019 Bottom Line
Mariota struggled without his security blanket in 2018, so he should be happy about the return of Walker. In his one game in 2018, he got seven targets, catching four passes for 52 yards. Tight ends can make a go of it into their mid-to-late 30s, so Walker should be fine. But his days of catching 90-plus passes, as he did in 2015, are behind him. At this point, Walker is a low-end TE1, high-end TE2 given the fact Mariota favors him so much. If he can stay on the field, you can pencil in 60 or so catches for around 600 yards and a handful of scores.
Week 1 at Miami Dolphins
Delanie Walker is the fantasy sunrise. You wake up on Monday morning and he's there, having produced a solid day. Miami allowed 10 touchdowns to opposing tight ends last season. Walker scored just three times last season, but that was as much an issue with Marcus Mariota as it was with Walker. The Dolphins were one of just three teams to allow 1,000 yards to opposing tight ends last season. Walker is a solid, if unspectacular TE1 start.
Fantasy Upside
Even at 34, Delanie Walker remains a solid tight end option because of his volume of work, which included 111 targets last season—a slight increase from 2016.
Fantasy Downside
Walker is 34, so the fear of him losing a step is real.
2018 Bottom Line
Walker might not be up there with some of the younger, more athletic tight ends in terms of production, but that doesn't mean he won't have value. Last season, he hauled in 74 passes for 807 yards, even though his TD production fell from seven in 2016 to three in 2017. Walker is firmly in the second tier of starting tight ends. He's probably not going to win you games single-handedly at this point in his career, but he's not going to hurt you, either. His current ADP sees him go off the board in rounds six or seven, which means he might be slightly undervalued given what he brings.
