Week 17 vs. Detroit Lions
Jimmy Graham had three receptions for 34 yards last week, pretty much doing what he's topped out at over the past several weeks. But he had six receptions for 76 yards against the Lions earlier this season. And Detroit just allowed a monster day to Minnesota's Kyle Rudolph. Don't be surprised if Graham gets some extra looks this week that could make him a low-end TE1 play.
Week 16 at N.Y. Jets
Jimmy Graham has played through injuries but his play has been limited, to be sure. He managed just three catches for 32 yards last week and now faces a Jets defense that has shut down opposing tight ends all season. He's averaging 29 yards receiving over his past eight games and there's no reason to think that is going to change this week.
Week 15 at Chicago Bears
Jimmy Graham had just two catches for 13 yards last week and now faces a Chicago defense that has been one of the best teams in the league at stopping opposing tight ends. Even in a tight end-starved league, he's not worth a start this week.
Week 14 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Broken thumb or no, Jimmy Graham caught a season-high eight passes last week. Even though they went for just 50 yards. That was, however, just his second game since the Week 7 bye with 50 or more yards. But hey, he got 22 percent of the targets in the Green Bay passing game last week, so maybe there's something there. There are certainly worse starts at tight end this week. Graham is a low-end TE1 play.
Week 13 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Jimmy Graham played through his injury issues last week and caught two passes for 34 yards, which is actually better than he had done in most games recently. But don't expect any kind of blowout game from him this week. He's still dealing with a broken thumb and the Cardinals are solid against opposing tight ends and Graham has just 16 targets -- nine catches -- in his past five games.
Week 12 at Minnesota Vikings
Jimmy Graham had just one reception for 12 yards last week and now has had just one catch in three of his past four games. He's also dealing with a broken thumb, which doesn't bode well for his production, even though he's expected to play. That makes his production largely touchdown based. And the Vikings have allowed just three TE touchdowns this season. There are better options available than Graham.
Week 11 at Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Graham managed just one catch for 14 yards last week. More importantly, he got just one target. That's not a good sign. He's also been limited with a knee issue that could slow him down even more. It's a tough matchup against his former team, the Seahawks, this week, but they did allow two TD catches by the Rams' tight ends last week. Start Graham as a low-end TE1 option and hope he gets into the end zone.
Week 10 vs. Miami Dolphins
Jimmy Graham caught four passes for 55 yards and got into the end zone for the second time this season last week against the Patriots in a solid, if unspectacular effort. This is a sneaky good start spot for Graham. The Dolphins have allowed five touchdown passes to opposing tight ends in the past four games. And that includes giving up a line of 6-74-0 to the Jets last week. Graham is a low-end TE1 this week.
Week 9 at New England Patriots
Jimmy Graham managed just one catch for 21 yards last week, something that might cause some to fade him this week. But the Patriots have had all kinds of issues defending tight ends, allowing four touchdowns to the position in the past four weeks. The only thing that has kept the Patriots from being flat-out awful against the position overall is the fact they have played some teams that simply don't throw to the tight end. Graham is a nice sleeper start this week.
Week 8 at L.A. Rams
With Geronimo Allison and Randall Cobb out of action, Jimmy Graham has helped pick up the slack. He had 11 receptions for 180 yards in the two games prior to the team's bye. Both might be back this week, but Graham has earned the trust of Aaron Rodgers. Now, he just needs to start getting more work in the red zone. The Rams have been vulnerable to giving up catches and yardage to tight ends. But they also have given up just one TD though, that came last week against the 49ers. Graham has placed himself in mid-range TE1 play.
