2016 Jaguars Fantasy Football Preview: Tight Ends

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An in depth look at the Jaguars TE position. Learn who to draft and where.

By Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

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The Jaguars tight ends have been historically irrelevant when it comes to fantasy football, but the addition of Julius Thomas in the 2015 offseason changed everything.

Julius Thomas recorded 24 total touchdowns in the two seasons prior to joining the Jaguars, thus earning a huge contract and the lofty expectations that come along with such a contract. When he arrived in Jacksonville it was clear that he and Blake Bortles established chemistry early, but a hand injury derailed his 2015 campaign. Despite missing a quarter of the season and struggling with consistency when he was healthy, Thomas still scored 5 times and caught 46 passes for 455 yards. Taking those numbers and projecting them over a full 16 games Thomas' 2015 stats would have been more like 7 touchdowns, 60 catches, and 600 yards. Those numbers would have made him a top 10 fantasy option at tight end.

How will he do moving forward? This offseason Thomas has been literally unstoppable. He looks like the Denver version of Julius Thomas and has shown great chemistry and timing with quarterback Blake Bortles. He will be heavily featured in the Jaguars offense as his size and speed combo make him virtually unguardable. A healthy Julius Thomas should be a border line top 5 fantasy option at tight end in 2016. However, he is currently being drafted as a fringe top 10 tight end instead of the top 5 tight end that his talent would suggest. So, you should be able to get him at a bargain anywhere from rounds 7-10. If you do draft him, he'll likely be your number one or two tight end and you'll need him to be consistent. There is risk with any player getting hurt and Julius Thomas hasn't played all 16 games . . . ever. But, if you do decide to wait till later in the draft to take a tight end, Thomas will likely be worth the risk. Another thing to keep in mind :  3 of the Jaguars final 5 games in 2016 are at home. Thomas scored 80% of his touchdowns at home in 2015. This could make him a huge asset down the stretch for your playoff run. 

What about the Jaguars other tight end, Marcedes Lewis, you ask? Don't worry about Marcedes Lewis, if you draft him to your fantasy team that's your own damn fault. 

As for Ben Koyack and the rest of the Jaguars tight ends. Don't even think about drafting them or adding them via the waiver wire.

Thanks for reading! Hate what I wrote? Love what I wrote? Let me know in the comments.

Go Jags!