Fantasy football trade advice, Week 5: Buy-low, sell-high tight end trade candidates

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For the first time in a while, the fantasy production among the league’s tight ends has been a bit lacking this year. Injuries have certainly played a factor in this as former fantasy superstars Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham have both been hindered by injuries early in the 2016 season.

Needless to say, there are plenty of young tight ends atop the fantasy leaderboard this year. Who should fantasy owners be looking to add or dispose of via trade?

Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Two weeks into the 2016 season, the Bucs decided to part ways with troubled tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Part of the reason the team felt comfortable with releasing the tight end is that they could easily replace him in the lineup with Brate.

Since Brate stepped into the role of Tampa Bay’s starting tight end, he has caught two touchdowns and is averaging five catches on nine targets per game.

He should still be available in a bunch of leagues right now. But in case he is not, fantasy owners should be able to trade for the tight end at a bargain price.

Current standard fantasy average: 7 points

Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 44 percent

Next four games: at CAR, Bye, at SF, OAK

Zach Miller, Chicago Bears

In his fifth NFL season, Miller is on pace to have a career year. With Martellus Bennett now with the Patriots, the Bears have turned to Miller to be the team’s top option at tight end.

Despite Chicago’s struggles this year, Miller is managing to have himself a year. He has caught three touchdowns in the team’s past two games and he is averaging almost five catches and five targets per game in 2016.

As one of the few bright spots for the Bears this season, the tight end should continue to succeed in 2016 and fantasy owners should try and acquire him while they still can.

Current standard fantasy average: 8.4 points

Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 68 percent

Next four games: at IND, JAX, at GB, MIN

Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans

Is Walker’s age finally starting to catch up with him? Whatever it may be, the 32-year-old tight end’s start to the 2016 season has not been impressive by any means.

He is still seeing plenty of targets (19 in three games so far), but the high level of production is just not there this year. It would not come as a shock if Walker rebounds and ends up performing well for the rest of the season, but his fantasy owners should at least see what possible players they could acquire in exchange for the tight end.

Current standard fantasy average: 7.3 points

Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 96 percent

Next four games: at MIA, CLE, IND, JAX

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

Speaking of age, Gates is another tight end who’s days of putting up big numbers may be coming to an end in the near future.

The Chargers tight end is currently dealing with a hamstring injury that has already caused him to miss two games this season. To make things worse for his fantasy owners, Gates’ replacement in the lineup, rookie Hunter Henry, is doing pretty well for San Diego.

If Gates is able to fully recover from his injury, it is possible that he could still have a significant role in the Chargers’ offense this year. However, his fantasy owners may still want to shop the 36-year-old tight end before Henry becomes his permanent replacement.

Current standard fantasy average: 4.8 points

Yahoo! fantasy ownership: 68 percent

Next four games: at OAK, DEN, at ATL, at DEN