Fantasy Upside
Though it took two forgettable seasons, Tyler Eifert has finally become an option in the Bengals passing game. Splitting time with Jermaine Gresham in 2013, Eifert still caught 39 passes before spending the 2014 season on IR. With Gresham now gone, he becomes the main tight end target in Cincinnati.
Fantasy Downside
We still don't know really where Eifert falls in the tight end hierarchy. Some believe he can catch 60 to 70 balls if the Bengals use him the right way. Others think he will be an afterthought in the Bengals run-first offense. The shoulder and elbow injuries definitely set him back in his progress to become a top-tier tight end.
Bottom Line
Eifert will only be as good as the Bengals let him be. If they use him more in their offense, we believe he will put up good numbers. That is unlikely to happen, however. The Bengals want to run the football and when when they do pass, it is to A.J. Green. The potential is there with Eifert, but he is not worth his current ADP (112).
Week 1: Eifert vs Ravens
Tyler Eifert was a disappointment last year because he split time with the veteran Jermain Gresham. This season, he is expected to have more of a role in the passing game and will probably see more plays than he did last season.
However, don't equate that to being a stud tight end. For Week 1 against the Ravens, Eifert is a low-end No. 2 and we are not expecting a big start to the season. Most likely Eifert is a bench player most weeks and that includes this week against Baltimore.
Fantasy Upside
Tyler Eifert got his time in during his rookie year despite the presence of the veteran Jermaine Gresham. Now, Eifert should take a step towards becoming a No. 1 tight end. He is big, physical and athletic. Eifert is going to be a big part of the Bengals future.
Fantasy Downside
Plenty of people selected Eifert last year expecting him to help their fantasy teams. He really didn't do too much. 39 catches and 2 TDs. Most of that was because Gresham stayed involved with the offense as much if not more than Eifert. And Gresham is back this season, again.
Bottom Line
Eifert's numbers should be better, but how much better? Probably not enough to be anything more than a backup. His ADP is 180 and that's where he should go - in the late rounds. Eifert could eventually become a TE1, but likely not in 2014.
