Charles Clay Fantasy Football Projections

Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) jumps over Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Texans 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) jumps over Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Texans 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Clay Fantasy Football
Dec 6, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay (85) celebrates his touchdown catch with tight end Matthew Mulligan (82) during the second half against the Houston Texans at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Texans 30-21. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Is Charles Clay worth a look in your fantasy football league this year? Here’s what you need to know.

Tight end Charles Clay possess a unique blend of strength, toughness, quickness and catching ability. It is why perennially there are always some who think it’s going to be the year that the tight end gets it all together and puts his name in the mix with the rest of the top tight ends in the league not named Rob Gronkowski.

Ravens work out veteran tight end Charles Clay, per report
Ravens work out veteran tight end Charles Clay, per report

Ebony Bird

  • 4 options if Panthers TE Ian Thomas goes down with injuryCat Crave
  • Carolina Panthers training camp: 3 questions at the TE positionCat Crave
  • 4 Free agent targets as Dallas Cowboys start training campNFL Spin Zone
  • LA Chargers: Charles Clay is a better option than David NjokuBolt Beat
  • New England Patriots: 5 Free agents to sign before training campNFL Spin Zone
  • Hopes for Clay were highest after his 2013 season with the Miami Dolphins. That year, which was his third in the league, he put up 759 yards with 69 receptions and 6 touchdowns. In 2014, he was a sexy fantasy pick for a breakout tight end but didn’t live up to expectations with 58 receptions, 605 yards, and 3 touchdowns.

    When the Buffalo Bills gave Clay a 5 year, $38 million contract fantasy managers assumed they had intentions of making him a focal point of the offense. Once again some managers took a chance on Clay hoping 2015 would be the year but they were disappointed when his stats continued to trend down.

    Last year, he only had 51 catches for 528 yards and three touchdowns. He finished as the 20th best tight end in Yahoo leagues which was extremely disappointing considering his talent. This year we project him to have 63 receptions for 675 yards with 5 touchdowns.

    If he put up those stats last season he would have been the 10th ranked tight end based on Yahoo’s scoring. Basically meaning, one of the worst starting tight ends in your league or one of the top bench players at the position. That’s not something that makes us excited about drafting a player.

    This is why we ultimately think you should avoid drafting Clay to your team. Buffalo has never managed to get much out of their tight ends and Clay’s numbers have been trending downward recently. That’s not a good mix.

    If you are targeting Clay you probably don’t have a strategy of looking for a top tier tight end. But if you prefer to have a first tier tight end you might be interested in the below video from Sports Illustrated which discusses tight end rankings.

    Next: You Need To Draft Tyrod Taylor For Fantasy Football. Find Out Why

    So what do you think? After reading this are you still considering drafting Charles Clay in your league? Leave your comments below.

    Schedule