Golden Tate Preseason Preview
Fantasy Upside
In his second season as a Lion, Golden Tate again finished with a team-high in receptions, as he collected 90 grabs for over 800 yards and six TDs. In Detroit, he’s caught 189 balls for over 2,100 yards and 10 scores. With the retirement of Calvin Johnson, Tate has the best rapport with Matthew Stafford and is in line for a big year. When Johnson missed four games in ’14, Stafford looked Golden’s way 49 times, leading to 31 catches for 483 yards and three TDs, one of the best stretches of Tate’s career. He’s versatile, having missed just one game the past five seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Despite the good finish for the Lions last season, their offense is getting a bit of an overhaul in ’15. Look for a bigger commitment to the running attack, which could limit Golden’s opportunities. Despite being targeted 128 times last season, he did not have a 100-yard game.
Bottom Line
Golden is primed for another big season and this time he won’t be under the shadow of Megatron. He has breakaway speed and has been great as a short-to-intermediate route-runner that can make defenders miss. Even with a change in offense, Stafford thrived under new-OC Jim Bob Cooter during the second half of last season and it’s tough to imagine things taking too much of a drop off, even without one of the best WRs of all time. Golden is a special talent and won’t be on the draft boards for long, especially in PPR formats.
Week 17 at Chicago
Golden Tate came in to last week’s game against San Fran with 38 catches and five TDs in the previous five contests. However, versus the 49ers he was limited to four grabs for 59 yards. Tate finished with 40 yards and a score in the home win over the Bears in October and makes for a WR2 play in the rematch, despite the drop off last week.
Week 16 vs. San Francisco
With Calvin Johnson still being a bit slowed by his sore ankle, Golden Tate has flourished the past five games. In the win at New Orleans last Monday, he caught a team-high six passes for 45 yards and two TDs – his second straight two touchdown outing. In the past five weeks, Golden has totaled 38 receptions and five scores. Tate and the Lions have another great matchup this week versus the 49ers, so be sure he remains in your starting lineup.
Week 15 at New Orleans
Since new OC Jim Bob Cooter took over, Golden Tate continues to be an important part of the Detroit offense. Last Sunday in the loss at St. Louis, he was targeted 10 times, resulting in nine catches, 60 yards and two TDs. In the past four contests, Golden has received 39 looks, leading to 32 grabs and three TDs. While he still doesn’t have a game over 80 yards this season, he has a great matchup at New Orleans on Monday and no question should remain in your starting lineup.
Week 14 at St. Louis
In the tough loss to the Packers last week, Golden Tate was targeted a team-high 10 times, leading to eight catches for 63 yards. Despite having a down year, he has come on during the past three contests, totaling 23 receptions for 186 yards and a score during that span. While Calvin Johnson and Eric Ebron caught the touchdowns from Matthew Stafford versus Green Bay, Golden has become a bigger part of the passing game recently. Tate makes for a WR3/flex play at St. Louis on Sunday.
Week 13 vs. Green Bay
After not scoring since Week 6, Golden Tate was in the end zone last Thursday versus the Eagles. In the win, on eight targets he collected seven grabs for 50 yards. While his yardage total has been down all season, it was good to see him find paydirt for only the second time in ’15. Golden has totaled at least 50 yards in four straight, including Week 10 versus Green Bay, when he finished with four catches for 52 yards. Consider Tate a flex play in the rematch.
Week 12 vs. Philadelphia
In the win over Oakland last Sunday, Golden Tate turned in one of his best performances of the year. He grabbed a team-high eight passes for 73 yards, his most since Week 5. Golden’s season-high in receiving yards is 80 and he still has just the one score, but he’s got a great opportunity to be in the end zone on Thursday against an average Philadelphia pass defense that struggled against Jameis Winston just a few days ago. Tate makes for a WR3 this week.
Week 11 vs. Oakland
Golden Tate caught all four of his targets in the win at Green Bay last Sunday. He collected 52 receiving yards and added another 11 on a rushing attempt, but he’s yet to eclipse 80 yards in a game and has only one TD this season. Tate will be facing a bad Raiders pass defense that is ranked No. 31. However, with his lack of production in ’15, Golden should only be started as a No. 3 WR.
Week 10 at Green Bay
The frustrating first half of the season continued for Golden Tate two weeks ago in London versus the Chiefs. Golden caught six passes for 59 yards, but is averaging only 47 yards per game with one TD. It will be interesting to see how the Lions respond after the bye week under new OC Jim Bob Cooter. Tate makes for a WR3/flex play on Sunday against a pretty good Packers defense at home.
Week 8 vs. Kansas City
In the home loss to Minnesota last week, Golden Tate was targeted six times, but caught just two passes for 14 yards. He is averaging just 45 yards per game, has not totaled over 80 yards in any contest and only has one TD this season. It's no secret the Lions offense has had its problems in 2015, evidenced by Golden’s performance. While the Chiefs are giving up 368 total yards per game, be cautious about expecting big results from Tate, even with a new offensive coordinator in place.
