Week 1 vs Miami
Perhaps by process of elimination, Jordan Reed is the Redskins top tight end for Week 1 against the Dolphins, as he outlasted Logan Paulsen and Niles Paul, who were both lost for the year with injuries. Reed has shown flashes in the past and has proved to be a reliable target, but injuries have continued to keep him off the field, even through a big part of camp this year. Reed is ranked 13th on our list this week, giving him low-end TE1 value in 12-team leagues. The Dolphins rank fifth in allowing fantasy points to TEs, however, so Reed begins with a tough test. Outside of deeper leagues, Reed is yet another player with whom to use a wait-and-see approach.
Fantasy Upside
Jordan Reed has already proved he can be a very solid pass-catching TE in this league. After not knowing much about him his rookie season, owners were soon flocking to the waiver wire to grab Reed. Logan Paulsen and Niles Paul have both been lost to injury, so Reed is once again being counted on as the pass catching tight end in the Washington offense. The hope is QB Robert Griffin III is close to his rookie form and with two legit outside threats, could open things up with Reed in the middle.
Fantasy Downside
Reed just can't stay on the field. Even with Paulsen and Paul lost for the year, there are still concerns as to whether Reed will be ready to start the season due to a hamstring. Reed's blocking is also questionable and there was talk that the team may only use him on third downs to save wear and tear while blocking on running downs.
Bottom Line
Reed has the talent, but injuries should be a big concern for potential owners. If he remains healthy, he could be in store for a big season. But that's a big if, which makes it tough to draft him as your only tight end. In typical leagues, we don't recommend taking a second tight end, but in deeper leagues where it may make more sense, that seems to be the best spot to take a shot on Reed.
Week 17 - Reed vs. Dallas
Jordan Reed caught two balls for five yards last week. It was a tough matchup coming in as the Eagles were third in the league in allowing fantasy points to TEs. This week it's a much easier matchup as the Cowboys are in the bottom half of the league in allowing fantasy points to the position. But Reed hasn't done much to help fantasy owners the last three weeks now, so playing him is a risk.
Week 16 - Reed vs. Philly
Jordan Reed had just three catches for 13 yards on four targets last week. Reed is hurt by the loss of Colt McCoy who really seemed to utilize the TE. On top of those numbers working against owners, the Eagles provide a pretty tough matchup this week and are ranked sixth in allowing fantasy points to the position. Reed didn't play the last time these teams met, but he still comes in 10th on our list this week. He's worth a gamble.
Week 15 - Reed vs. NY Giants
Jordan Reed followed up a huge Week 14 performance with just three catches for 25 yards on seven targets last week. It was a tough matchup coming in against the Rams and Reed has certainly been up and down this season so it was risky to depend on another break-out day. Such is the life for owners of TEs not named Gronk this year.
This week, Reed gets the Giants who are just 30th in allowing fantasy points to TEs. So it's a nice matchup, but Reed is far from dependable this time of year in the playoffs. The QB situation is a bit unclear as well. Colt McCoy has a neck issue and may not start. He would help make Reed a little safer as he tends to targets the TEs more, so that's something to monitor.
Week 14 - Reed vs. St. Louis
Jordan Reed exploded for his best fantasy performance of the season, catching nine balls for 123 yards on 11 targets. All are season highs, except the targets which tied a season high. Reed's performance comes as Colt McCoy returns under center for Washington. McCoy has targeted tight ends heavily this season.
Reed is certainly capable of these numbers and perhaps we can expect more with Colt McCoy back under center. However, it's a tough matchup this week as the Rams defend the TE fairly well, ranking eighth on our SOS. If you're struggling at the position, Reed is an interesting option and seems worth a pickup, but it would be tough to trust him this week in the playoffs. With so many TEs boom or bust this year, Reed at least gives you some potential.
Week 12 - Reed vs. San Francisco
Jordan Reed finished last week with two catches for 22 yards on three targets. News came out that Reed has tweaked his right hamstring after dealing with left hamstring issues to start the season. Reed has just three catches and 39 yards over his last two games on four targets. It would be hard to trust him in lineups during this streak.
Week 11 - Reed vs. Tampa Bay
Jordan Reed's last game in Week 9 was just a one-catch performance on one target for 17 yards. This week, he comes in ranked in the top-ten with a decent matchup against the Bucs. Jordan did have seven catches for 40 yards in Week 8, but last week's performance makes you wonder how he's going to be used with Robert Griffin III back at QB. Reed is ranked as a low-end TE1 this week, but keep an eye on his connection with RGIII.
Week 9 - Reed vs. Minnesota
Jordan Reed caught seven balls for 40 yards on seven targets last week.
While the numbers aren't great, Reed is constantly getting his looks. Since Reed's return in Week 6 he's averaging just under seven catches a game on eight targets per game - a pretty nice catch percentage. This week it's a tough matchup against the Vikings who rank sixth in allowing fantasy points to TEs. Reed's snaps dropped to 39% against Dallas last week after playing on 58 and 65% the previous two weeks. He's ranked at a TE1 again this week, coming in ninth on our list.
Week 8 - Reed vs. Dallas
Jordan Reed caught five balls for 54 yards on six targets last week. It was a bit of a messy game that saw Colt McCoy relieve Kirk Cousins at QB.
Now it looks like McCoy gets the nod this week under center in what is a tough, overall matchup against the Cowboys defense. One area of weakness is Dallas defending the tight end, which could be good news for Reed owners. Dallas is dead last, 32nd, in allowing fantasy points to TEs, which is a bit strange considering they are in the top-10 in allowing fantasy points to QBs, RBs and WRs. This could be an area Washington looks to attack and as a result, Reed is again a TE1 play coming in sixth on our list.
