Fantasy Upside
As USA Today recently reminded readers, Ryan Griffin also broke out for the Texans last season as more of a prototypical tight end. A very strong in-line blocker, Griffin was an excellent blocker on the back end, slowing defenders down to allow big gains for his running backs on the other side of the field. The Texans signed him to a three-year deal this offseason, so they obviously see potential. Bigger than starter C.J. Fiedorowicz at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Griffin is a dangerous downfield target. He caught a career-high 50 passes for 442 yards and 2 touchdowns last season. Griffin resembles a basketball forward and is difficult to tackle in the open field.
Fantasy Downside
Griffin is a role player at a position led by Fiedorowicz. In addition, Stephen Anderson also emerged as a red zone weapon at the position last season, further diluting the value of the other two.
2017 Bottom Line
Barring a surprise at quarterback, the Texans passing attack isn't going to be a fertile-enough aspect of the offense to fuel three players at tight end.
Week 16 vs. Cincinnati
With C.J. Fiedorowicz out due to a concussion last Sunday, Ryan Griffin was a beast, grabbing eight passes for 85 yards. Tom Savage will again be the Texans QB, so if Fiedorowicz misses another game, Griffin could be used as a desperation start.
Week 5 at Minnesota
While Ryan Griffin caught three passes for 54 yards (including a 45-yarder) in the win over the Titans last Sunday, it was C.J. Fiedorowicz who scored the TE touchdown for the Texans. On the season, Griffin has 14 grabs and has been over 50 yards in two straight. However, he should only be started if you’re out of other options.
Week 3 at New England
Ryan Griffin finished with just a five-yard reception on two targets last week against Kansas City. There is no reason for him to be on a fantasy roster.
Week 2 vs. Kansas City
While Brock Osweiler was throwing 35 passes last week versus the Bears, only two went in the direction of Ryan Griffin. Ryan caught both balls for 17 yards, but there are plenty of other TEs out there that should be started over Griffin.
Fantasy Upside
As the Houston Chronicle pointed out, when Ryan Griffin sprained his medial collateral ligament in the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs last season, the Texans deemed him valuable enough to hold a roster spot for him rather than shelve him for the season. Once Griffin was activated from injured reserve-designated to return (a short-term roster designation allowing NFL teams to save a spot for a player recovering from an injury), he made an impact. Imposing and athletic at 6-6, 254 pounds, Griffin caught a career-high 20 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns in nine games and four starts last season. A former sixth-round draft pick from Connecticut, Griffin has caught 49 career passes for 586 yards and four touchdowns in three NFL seasons.
Fantasy Downside
Griffin sat out the offseason program with an Achilles issue, but only missed the first week of training camp. That injury followed the knee sprain that limited his playing time last year.
2016 Bottom Line
Despite HC Bill O'Brien's ties to the Patriots and their TE-heavy offense, the position hasn't been a huge factor so far in his tenure in Houston. Griffin certainly has the size and athleticism to be a significant contributor, but we haven't seen it to date. Given that, Griffin's appeal in redraft leagues is minimal.
Week 18 vs. Kansas City
Last Sunday in the win against Jacksonville, Ryan Griffin collected three grabs for 27 yards. It was his highest reception total since December 6, which was also the last time he was in the end zone. Griffin had just an 18-yard catch in Week 1 versus the Chiefs and should not be a part of your playoff fantasy roster.
Week 17 vs. Jacksonville
Texans QBs completed just 16 passes last week in the win at Tennessee and Ryan Griffin caught only a 14-yard pass. He had been more productive recently, but Houston controlled the game with its ground attack. Griffin did not play in the October win over the Jags and should not be a part of your starting lineup on Sunday.
Week 16 at Tennessee
Last week in the win at Indy, Ryan Griffin was the second leading receiver for the Texans with two grabs for 30 yards. Houston QBs completed just 17 passes for 173 yards, but it was enough to get the win. Griffin did not play in the November contest against the Titans and should not be started in the rematch, especially with the Houston quarterback situation.
Week 15 at Indianapolis
Last Sunday night against the Patriots, Ryan Griffin had two passes that went just off the end of his fingertips falling incomplete. On six targets, the TE finished with only a 20-yard reception. Griffin was out for the meeting against Indy in October. There has to be a better option for you to start at TE this week.
