Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks
Cameron Brate was OK filling in for OJ Howard last week. He finished 3-32 on six targets. If Howard sits out again in Week 9 then expect similar numbers from Brate as he faces the Seahawks. He's essentially a touchdown-or-bust candidate against a Seahawks defense that's allowed four touchdowns to tight ends this season.
Week 8 at Tennessee Titans
O.J. Howard will likely miss this week due to injury, which means Cameron Brate will step up. Brate has been somewhat productive this season playing below Howard as he has just 57 yards less than Howard and two more touchdowns. He could be a decent play this week against a Titans defense that's allowing an average of 13.59 points to tight ends this season.
Week 17 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Cameron Brate finished with eight yards on two catches last week. He's only topped 30 yards twice this season (36, 34) and is really a touchdown-or-bust option against the Falcons in Week 17.
Week 16 at Dallas Cowboys
Cameron Brate caught one pass for nine yards last week. That's now six games this season where Brate has one reception or less, although to be fair he was playing back up to O.J. Howard for most of those. Still, Brate hasn't offered much value this season outside of touchdowns. He's a TD-or-bust option against Dallas.
Week 15 at Baltimore Ravens
Cameron Brate caught two passes for 12 yards last week, but he scored on both of his receptions. This is now eight games where Brate has finished below 20 yards, and he's not being used in the open field like O.J. Howard was. But he is a strong red zone threat, scoring six times this season. He's a touchdown-or-bust TE1 this week in a favorable matchup against the Ravens.
Baltimore has one of the league's best defenses, but has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing TEs. A tight end has scored in six of the last seven games against Baltimore, so Brate has a good shot at finding the end zone.
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
Cameron Brate hasn't quite filled in O.J. Howard's large shoes that were left to fill. He had just 36 yards on three catches in a favorable matchup last week, and had 26 yards in the game prior. He remains a redzone threat, but he's a touchdown dependent option in a tough matchup against the Saints this week. He's a low-end TE1 choice.
Jameis Winston vs. Carolina Panthers
The Jameis Winston and Cameron Brate connection is real. In O.J. Howard's absence, Brate stepped right up last week and finished with 26 yards and a touchdown. It wasn't quite a Howard-esque outing, but Brate should be a strong red-zone threat moving forward this season.
Howard had two scores against the Panthers earlier this season, so we can expect a similar scheme for Brate. Especially when you consider the Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing TEs this season, and the most TDs to the position (9). Brate is a solid TE1 option this week.
Week 12 vs. San Francisco 49ers
O.J. Howard was having an incredible season for the Bucs before suffering a season-ending injury last week. That means former fantasy football great Cameron Brate will take over in his place. If Brate can pick up where Howard left off, and we see no reason why he can't, then he should be a TE1 for the rest of the season.
We like Brate just as that -- a TE1 -- this week vs. the 49ers.
Week 9 at Carolina Panthers
Cameron Brate has had a minimal role this season, but he does get a favorable matchup this week. The Panthers have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2018. And oddly enough, backup tight ends have scored in three straight games vs. Carolina. Maybe Brate can make it four in a row.
He's not a great choice, but he's a sleeper candidate if you're in need of a spot start.
Week 7 vs. Cleveland Browns
Cameron Brate has scored a touchdown in three straight games, as he's the TE that just won't go away. Catching TDs is about all he's done this year, though he has seven catches in five games.
Brate will be a TD-reliant option this week against the Browns who have only allowed two scores to the position all season (and they came in the same game).
