Austin Seferian-Jenkins - Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is back at practice (ankle) and is expected to return to the lineup this week. He'll go up against a Steelers defense that has been extremely favorable to tight ends this season.
ASJ is a big target and a promising prospect, but it's hard to endorse a rookie coming back from injury. He has a great matchup, but he's too risky of a play this week.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins - Week 2 vs. St. Louis
Austin Seferian-Jenkins was targeted twice and caught one pass for 26 yards before leaving the game with an injury. He was seen with a walking boot on his right foot during the week. He missed practice on Friday and is unlikely to play on Sunday. Even if he does play, he'll likely be very limited. He's off the fantasy radar for now.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins - Week 1 vs. Carolina
Austin Seferian-Jenkins is technically listed as the second-string tight end for Tampa Bay. The second round draft pick only caught four balls for 54 yards total in the preseason, but he did see a lot of playing time with the starters in the third game.
Carolina gave up more receiving touchdowns to tight ends (9) than running backs and receivers combined (8) last season.
The bottom line, however is that while ASJ is talented, he's a rookie in a low-volume passing game. Wait to see how Tampa utilizes him before placing him in your starting lineup.
Fantasy Upside
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Austin Seferian-Jenkins in the second round of this year's NFL Draft. At 6-5 and 262 lbs ASJ is a huge target for Bucs QB Josh McCown. Not only is he big, but he's very talented. In 2013 ASJ won the John Mackey Award for being the best tight end in the nation. He was also named second-team All-Pac-12 in both 2012 and 2013. He has decent speed for his size as well. He ran the fifth fastest 40 at his position.
Fantasy Downside
ASJ is a rookie tight end and rookie tight ends usually aren't successful. Only 26 rookie tight ends have ever topped the 500-yard mark. And no rookie has ever had more than 900 yards. Also, only two rookie TEs in the last 15 years have caught more than five TDs in a season.
Bottom Line
The rookie tight end numbers should be a cause for concern in redraft formats. ASJ hasn't shown a whole lot in the preseason. He was on the field quite a bit during the team's third game, but only caught one pass for 11 yards. He's not really worth a look this year.
