Week 9 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Delanie Walker had 7 receptions for 63 yards and remains one of the better volume tight ends available. He also hasn't scored this season and is dealing with an ankle injury. But Baltimore has given up 6 touchdowns to tight ends this season. This could be the week Walker finally finds the end zone. As long as he's healthy, get him in the lineup.
Week 7 at Cleveland Browns
Delanie Walker had just 4 catches for 17 yards last week and is averaging 4 receptions for 43 yards this season. Maybe Father Time is catching up to him. But few things have cured a tight end's woes this season like a game against the Browns, who are dead last defending opposing tight ends. The matchup and volume make Walker a solid TE1 play this week. He's dealing with a calf injury but should play this week.
Week 6 vs. Indianapolis
Delanie Walker had 3 receptions for just 25 yards last week, though he did have a TD called back by penalty. With Matt Cassel in the lineup, Tennessee's passing game is a crap shoot. The Colts have allowed a tight end touchdown in each of the past three weeks, so there's some hope for Walker, who did score once in two meetings with Indianapolis last season.
Week 5 at Miami Dolphins
Delanie Walker hauled in 3 passes for 51 yards last week to lead the team in yardage. Yeah, it was that kind of day for the Titans. Miami has given up an average of 6 receptions per game to opposing tight ends, so Walker should get some action this week whether Marcus Mariota plays or not. Given the byes and injuries at the tight end position, he's a sure-fire TE1, albeit one with little upside.
Week 4 at Houston Texans
Delanie Walker had his least productive day of the season catching 4 passes for just 31 yards. Now he faces a Houston defense that held him in check in two meetings last season—7 total receptions for 69 yards—despite receiving 16 targets. The Texans gave up 9 receptions for 108 yards and a score to New England's tight ends last week, but allowed just 4 tight end catches in the first two weeks of the season. But targets are targets and Walker is going to get enough looks to be used as a TE1.
Week 3 vs. Seattle Seahawks
Delanie Walker had a solid game last week, catching 4 passes for 61 yards and scoring on a 1-yard run. He continues to be an underrated performer in all formats. The Seahawks have allowed 8 catches for 80 yards and no scores to opposing tight ends thus far this season but Walker's volume should keep him in the starting tight end conversation against any defense.
Week 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars
Delanie Walker put up a Delanie Walker-esque stat line in last week's game against Oakland, hauling in 7 passes for 76 yards. You can pencil him in for an effort like that nearly every week. In two meetings against Jacksonville last season, he was held in check, catching 7 passes for 98 yards and a score. But he's too good to bench and should be okay to use as a low-end No. 1 tight end this week.
Week 1 vs. Oakland Raiders
The days of Delanie Walker being the lone target in the Tennessee offense are over. But he'll still be a valuable piece in this offense. Oakland allowed over 1,000 receiving yards to opposing tight ends last season and Walker, even at his advanced age, remains one of the top tight end targets in the NFL. He should be in your lineup as a TE1.
Fantasy Upside
Delanie Walker had his least productive season in three years and still produced a solid line of 65-800-7. That wasn't the 94-catch season he provided in 2015, but it wasn't bad. He's remains a top target in the Tennessee offense.
Fantasy Downside
At 32, Walker could start slowing down. He also saw his targets fall from 133 in 2015 to 102 last season, his fewest since getting 86 his first season in Tennessee in 2013. The Titans also have added some other weapons who could contribute to that downward trend in targets.
2017 Bottom Line
Walker remains a top receiving option at the tight end position until further notice, though he shouldn't go as high this season as he did last year when he was coming off that 94-catch campaign that also saw him top 1,000 yards. He should remain a top-10 option at the tight end position in 2017. Beyond that, who knows? But take advantage of him while you can. He's not a bad fallback option if you miss out on the Gronkowskis, Kelces, and Olsens of the world.
Week 17 vs. Houston
Walker posted a 3-23-1 line last week as Tennessee's offense never really got going. He remains one of the best tight ends in football but faces a tough matchup this week against a Houston defense that limited him to two catches for 34 yards the first time they met this season. Walker's a guy you almost have to start. But if you have somebody with a better matchup, you might want to avoid him in what promises to be a low-scoring affair.
