Antonio Gates won't be able to take the field until Week 5 of the 2015 season. Until then, Ladarius Green seems to be handing his TE1 duties well. Green caught all five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's win over the Detroit Lions. Green's six targets were tied for second-most on the San Diego Chargers' offense.
Ladarius Green excels in TE1 role, available on most fantasy waiver wires
Ladarius Green played well during Antonio Gates’ absence. We take a look at the fantasy implications.
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Green has always been viewed as the successor to the aging Gates, who is now 35 years old. However, Green rarely impressed when Gates was off the field. It’s a strong start in a crucial role of the Chargers’ offense.
Fantasy impact: It remains to be seen how much of a role Green can maintain when Gates returns. Still, for the next three weeks, Green deserves to be in the TE1 discussion in all formats. Green has clearly improved on the field. He offers plenty of upside in a high-volume role that Gates has held for most of the past 13 seasons.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Green's performance is the fact that he's owned in just 20 percent of Yahoo! leagues. His ownership will increase before Week 2, when the Chargers face the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals have been vulnerable to opposing tight ends over the years. Green should be started by anyone that owns him.
