Fantasy Upside
Because of injuries, Tyler Kroft started all 16 games and caught 42 passes and 7 touchdowns in 2017. The touchdowns made him a surprise fantasy stud. With Tyler Eifert's injury history, there is a good chance Kroft will get more opportunities.
Fantasy Downside
Eifert is the starter which means Kroft will enter the season in a backup role. There are also questions about the Bengals offense and their effectiveness.
2018 Bottom Line
Kroft should not be drafted unless you have a deep roster and want to use him as a collar for Eifert, but that isn't really recommended for the tight end position. Kroft has little value unless Eifert misses time due to injury.
Week 17 at Baltimore Ravens
Tyler Kroft has had 3 catches for 4 yards over the past three games. That's pretty much all you need to know. He will also face the Ravens, who are ranked eighth in aFPA to tight ends.
Kroft hasn't been a factor for a couple months and we don't expect that to change in Week 17. Keep him on the bench.
Week 16 vs. Detroit Lions
In the past two games, Tyler Kroft is a reflection of the Cincinnati offense. He has had 2 receptions for 1 yard. Kroft had some success after Tyler Eifert went out but has been relatively quiet since.
He does have a good matchup in Week 16, facing a Lions defense ranked 28th in aFPA to tight ends. Even with that advantage, Kroft is not in play this week as he only ranks as a low-end TE2.
Week 15 at Minnesota Vikings
Tyler Kroft is a fantasy nightmare right now. He's coming off a game where he was not targeted and struggled physically with a bad hamstring, not to mention that Cincinnati's offense has been pretty poor the past month.
And there is more bad news. The Bengals play the Vikings this week, who are ranked fifth in aFPA to tight ends. All of these factors point to one thing: Kroft should sit Week 15.
Week 14 vs. Chicago Bears
Tyler Kroft's production continues to be low. In his last five games, he has averaged only 2 receptions per game, although he has scored 2 touchdowns over that stretch. And that is where is value lies—in the red zone.
Kroft will face a Bears defense this week ranked 16th in aFPA to tight ends. Since the production hasn't been there with the exception of the scores he won't be much of a fantasy factor for Week 14. Sit him as a solid TE2 against Chicago.
Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyler Kroft scored a touchdown for the second straight game, but the rest of his numbers haven't been very good. He actually has only 30 receiving yards his last three games. Kroft also has been limited in practice with a knee injury.
The Bengals face the Steelers this week, who are ranked third in aFPA to tight ends. Kroft did score a touchdown in the first meeting with Pittsburgh and remains a red zone threat. But he is not a good play for Week 13. Keep him on the bench.
Week 12 vs. Cleveland Browns
Tyler Kroft has only 5 catches over the last three games and has struggled with a hand injury. He is expected to play on Sunday but has not been involved in the offense in recent weeks. Last week, he did score his fourth touchdown of the season to give him some fantasy value.
Kroft has a great matchup this week as he faces a Browns defense ranked 30th in aFPA to tight ends. If you need a tight end this week, he might be worth a start as he is ranked as a borderline-TE1 and high-end TE2. It just depends on what your other options are.
Week 11 at Denver Broncos
After being involved in the Bengals' offense on a regular basis since Tyler Eifert went down with an injury, Tyler Kroft only has 3 receptions in the last two games. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 5 which is alarming considering his strength was supposed to be in the red zone.
Kroft will face the Broncos, who are ranked 30th in aFPA to tight ends. Denver's defense has been very good with the exception of that position. Even with the positive matchup, Kroft only ranks as a high-end TE2 for Week 11 and should remain on the bench.
Week 10 at Tennessee Titans
Tyler Kroft had 2 receptions for 72 yards last week which included a 59-yard reception. It was actually one of his best games yardage-wise but a low number of targets and receptions. Kroft has filled the role nicely since Tyler Eifert went down with an injury.
Kroft will face Tennessee, who is ranked 16th in aFPA to tight ends. While he will be a factor throughout the second half of the season, other tight ends have better matchups in Week 10. Kroft ranks as a high-end TE2 this week.
Week 9 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Tyler Kroft continues to be solid as he amassed 5 more receptions last week. That has been his average since taking over for the injured Tyler Eifert. He has been consistent and that's a good asset for a tight end in fantasy.
Kroft will face a very good Jacksonville pass defense that has actually struggled with tight ends at times this season. Before last week, he had scored 3 touchdowns in his previous three games.
Still, we rank Kroft as a high-end TE2 for Week 9. That number will elevate if the Bengals can get some red zone opportunities.
