Fantasy Upside
After spending a season in New England, Martellus Bennett heads back to the NFC North where he was at his most productive with Chicago from 2013-2015. He'll be playing in a Green Bay offense with Aaron Rodgers, who always seems to put his tight ends in constant scoring positions. That's great news for Bennett, who is coming off a career-high 7 touchdown receptions last year in New England.
Fantasy Downside
Bennett is now 30 and will be the No. 3 or No. 4 option in this offense.
2017 Bottom Line
There's a lot to like with Bennett this season now that he's a Packer. Not only is he heading to an offense that likes to use the tight end, he's got a very favorable schedule in the second half of the season, as well, particularly in the playoffs. Bennett will have some competition from Richard Rodgers and Lance Kendricks, but he's clearly the best pass receiver of that group. He should be taken as a low-end fantasy starter with some upside given the offense in which he plays.
Super Bowl vs. Atlanta
Martellus Bennett had five receptions for 32-yards on five targets in a 36-17 win against the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. He hasn’t been a huge part of the game plan and has disappeared at times this season, but he is a legitimate red zone threat for Tom Brady. The Falcons rank as a below average matchup in regards to TE aFPA.
AFC Championship vs. Pittsburgh
Martellus Bennett had one reception for four yards on four targets in a 34-16 win against the Texans in the Division Round. It was a tough matchup, as the Texans rank as the No. 2 ranked defense against TEs, per Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA). This week is much more favorable, as the Steelers have struggled to defend tight ends at times this year. Start Bennett with confidence.
Divisional Round vs Houston
Martellus Bennett had three receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown on five targets in a 35-14 win against the Dolphins in Week 17. He has one of the worst matchups in the league in regards TE aFPA this week, but he's still worth a look as one of the few elite tight end options.
Week 17 at Miami
Martellus Bennett had two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown on two targets in a 41-3 win against the Jets in Week 16. Even with Gronk done for the season, Bennett has just a 9.79 percent target market share over the past four games. He has one of the best possible matchups against the Dolphins in Week 17 in regards to TE aFPA. Bennett will be a low-end TE1.
Week 16 vs. New York Jets
Martellus Bennett had two receptions for 35 yards on four targets in a 16-3 win against the Broncos in Week 15. Even with Gronk done for the season, there hasn’t been much to like from a volume perspective recently, and Bennett’s upside as a receiver is limited without Gronk around to do some of the blocking work. He has an above-average matchup against the Jets in Week 16 in regards TE aFPA, so Bennett will be a low-end TE1 this week.
Week 15 at Denver
Martellus Bennett bounced back for four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown in a 30-23 win against the Ravens in Week 14. Even with Gronk done, there hasn’t been much to like from a volume perspective recently, and Bennett’s upside as a receiver is limited without Gronk around to do some of the blocking work. He has an extremely tough matchup against the Broncos in Week 15 in regards TE aFPA. Bennett will be a low-end TE2 in Week 15.
Week 14 vs. Baltimore
Martellus Bennett has not seen much of an increased role lately and had just two catches for four yards on four targets in a 26-10 win against the Rams in Week 13. Even with Gronk done, there hasn’t been much to like from a volume perspective recently as Bennett has just a 10.84 percent of the target market share over his past four games. The Patriots do have a high team total, so he will be a high-end TE2 in Week 14 against the Ravens, who grade out as a below average matchup in regards to aFPA against the position.
Week 13 vs. Los Angeles
Martellus Bennett was clearly limited by his ankle and shoulder injuries, catching three of five targets for 22 yards in a 22-17 comeback win against the Jets in Week 12. There is a lot to like with Gronkowski likely out, but I just have this blockage in my head where I know his range of possibilities still includes a game where he could continue to be used primarily as a blocker. He will be a low-end TE1 against the Rams, who grade out as an average team in aFPA against the position.
Week 12 at New York Jets
One week after leading the Patriots in yards, Martellus Bennett flopped with Gronkowski out, as he only caught one of two targets for 14 yards in a 30-17 win against the 49ers in Week 11. There is a lot to like with Gronkowski likely out, I just have this blockage in my head where I know his range of possibilities still includes a game where he could continue to be used primarily as a blocker. He will be a low-end TE1 against the Jets, who grade out as a below-average team in aFPA against the position.
