Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge had a career year in 2015. Can he repeat in 2016?
Gary Barnidge
ESPN Fantasy Projection: 64 receptions, 809 yards, 5.5 TDs
Over or under: ESPN's Stephania Bell dubbed Barnidge "Big Play Barnkowski" for his many contributions to the offense in 2015. Barnidge led the team in receptions (79), yards (1,043) and touchdowns (nine), and had career marks in all three. He did it with three different quarterbacks, too. Barnidge is a pro's pro, but expecting to set career marks in consecutive seasons at the ages of 29 and 30 might be expecting too much. That reality is reflected in the dip in projected numbers for 2016. ESPN Stats & Information pointed out that Barnidge's nine touchdowns were six more then he had in his first six seasons combined. He also had 45 percent of the team's TD passes, tied for second-highest in the league. Tyler Eiefert played in Hue Jackson's offense in Cincinnati last season, and he had 13 touchdowns. Barnidge has excellent hands, and the ability to fight for the ball. His projected yardage numbers for this season seem accurate, but the projected TDs seem too low. I'd go over for Mr. Barnkowski.
Who else could see time: The backup tight-end spot is wide open, but the guy to keep you eye on is Connor Hamlett. He stands 6-foot-7 and is a big target who could be especially valuable in the red zone. Hamlett, though, is an undrafted free agent who has to make the team before his fantasy value can be assessed.
