Hello, fellow Austin Seferian-Jenkins owner. If you’re like me, you’ve been aboard the ASJ wagon before he got back onto the sobriety wagon and sorted out his life. For us ASJ ride-or-die lifers, it’s been a fun ride so far in 2017. Over the last four weeks, he’s tied for second at tight end with 21 catches, and his three scores are also tied for second. Low yardage totals drive down ASJ’s value, as his 142 over the last four weeks ranks eighteenth at the position. Overall, it’s been so far so good for ASJ-heads. Unfortunately, that is likely to change this weekend as the Jets host the Atlanta Falcons.
First, there are some good things to like about ASJ. He has 50% of the team’s targets within the ten zone since his return. Only Dez Bryant has a higher share of his team’s ten zone targets on the season (57%). In fact, he’s already matched his career targets within the five going into the year (he had four going into the season and already has four targets within the five-yard line now). Not only is he getting the touchdown looks, but he’s turned into Josh McCown’s primary target, as well. Over the last four weeks, he’s tied with Robby Anderson for the team lead with seven targets a game.
Unfortunately, outside of PPR leagues, that won’t mean bupkis this weekend. His low yardage total will give him a dismal floor and you are looking to get a touchdown out of him to salvage his fantasy football value this weekend. ASJ will still be searching for that touchdown after the game because he’s not great odds to get it this time. The Falcons haven’t allowed a touchdown to tight ends yet this year, and that includes Rob Gronkowski. Granted, they haven’t played a murderer’s row of tight ends, but not allowing a touchdown to one at all through six games is an impressive task.
Ultimately, Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a PPR-only play at tight end for me this weekend unless you’re exceptionally desperate. It’s entirely possible that he scores this weekend, but I wouldn’t count on that. If you doubt his odds of scoring a touchdown, then you’re looking towards yards for points, which he doesn’t get. He has a ton of catches every week, so he’s a decent option in PPR, but I would look elsewhere in standard scoring fantasy football leagues this week. Sorry, Austin, I still love ya, buddy.
