Week 5 vs. Oakland Raiders
The Chargers have the third-highest implied team total in Week 5 at 28.75 points. Oakland is just 27th in aFPA to TEs this season. Nevertheless, Antonio Gates continues to need to score to be useful in fantasy lineups. He's turned in decent floor performances in PPR leagues for the insanely thin TE position, but just know starting him is a dart throw in hopes of a touchdown. He's not a TE1 in Week 5.
Week 4 vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers rank 29th in aFPA to TEs, and only the Chiefs have a higher implied team total this week, with the Chargers expected to score 28.5 points. Keenan Allen did not practice Thursday with a knee issue. That needs to be monitored, as it would significantly increase the chances of Gates seeing more work this week as a streaming TE option. He saw targets funneled his way last week against a tough secondary, and the 49ers' aFPA ranking against WRs could mean the same this week. Gates is a touchdown-or-bust tight end streaming option, as most streaming tight end options are.
Week 3 at Los Angeles Rams
Proceed cautiously with the Chargers offense this week, despite the fact that they lit up the Chiefs and Bills in the first two weeks of the season. The Rams defense is most certainly not the Chiefs or Bills. A low implied team total of 20.5 points is also cause for concern. The Rams are first in fantasy points allowed to WRs, with less than 60 yards given up to the position each of the first two games, potentially funneling production to the tight end position. That was the case Week 1 with Jared Cook going off but not last week with Ricky Seals-Jones. Maybe Gates is in the game plan this week, but with only four targets in two weeks, you can't start him.
Week 2 at Buffalo Bills
The Bills lost 47-3 to the Ravens last week. Enough said. It's a good match-up on paper, as the Bills allowed three receiving touchdowns last week. Gates played 40 percent of snaps last week, having only been back with the team for one week. That should increase this week, but he shouldn't be looked at as anything more than a touchdown-or-bust TE streaming candidate.
Week 1 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The 38-year-old future Hall of Famer is back but after joining the team just this week, Gates is second on the depth chart behind Virgil Green until he gets more practice time. That makes him too risky to play in redraft leagues for Week 1. Plus, the Chiefs were sixth in aFPA to TEs last year.
Week 17 vs. Oakland Raiders
The Chargers are fighting for a playoff spot, which means you can safely start your fantasy options for this team in Week 17. That includes Antonio Gates. Age is just a number, apparently, and especially when Hunter Henry is on IR. Oakland is just middle of the pack against TEs in aFPA. Coming off a strong Week 16, consider Gates a solid TE1 and a threat to score once again.
Week 16 at New York Jets
The Chargers go cross-country to face the Jets, with the season on the line for Los Angeles. The Chargers are a 6.5-point favorite with an implied team total just over 24 points this week in Vegas. The Jets are only 27th against WRs in aFPA, and the loss of Hunter Henry at TE will mean more snaps for Antonio Gates. He's a threat to score, but this is definitely a touchdown-or-bust situation with a low-yardage ceiling. How lucky do you feel?
Week 11 vs. Buffalo Bills
Antonio Gates has a season-high of 30 yards in a game this season. Yeah, you aren't starting him in Week 11. His best days are behind him.
Week 10 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Antonio Gates hasn't had more than 30 yards in a game this season. He's not a starting lineup consideration.
Week 8 at New England Patriots
The Patriots rank 23rd in our aFPA vs. TE rankings and have allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game to fantasy TEs. However, Hunter Henry's increased role has relegated Antonio Gates to fantasy irrelevance. Don't start him.
