Fantasy owners will once again look toward New England Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett for production with Rob Gronkowski unavailable for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The Patriots announced that Gronkowski is officially out for Week 11 after suffering a chest injury against the Seattle Seahawks.
Gronkowski is one of the few fantasy players who is so far and away the best player at his position that no one else comes close to touching him.
Per Pro-Football-Reference.com, Gronkowski’s 184 standard-league fantasy points last year were 26 more than the No. 2 tight end (Cleveland’s Gary Barnidge).
According to Pro Football Focus on Nov. 8, Gronkowski’s 14.2-yard average depth of target was two yards higher than that of second-ranked TE Greg Olsen.
No other tight end in the NFL is capable of matching Gronkowski’s high level of production when he’s on the field. Over the last three seasons in which he’s played at least 15 games, Gronk has had at least 72 receptions, 1,124 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
From Week 5 through 8 this season, Gronkowski had at least four catches and 93 yards in each game with a total of three touchdowns during that span.
Bennett is a veteran who has been a valuable fantasy option and has quickly adapted to the Patriots offense in his first season with the team.
The 29-year-old leads the Patriots with four touchdown catches and ranks second in receptions and receiving yards.
Per Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus, Bennett has caught 90.5 percent of his targets this season and Patriots quarterbacks have a quarterback rating of 148.4 when the ball is thrown to him.
This is open season for Bennett and the Patriots against a 49ers defense that has been horrendous. It is tied for 25th in the NFL with 19 touchdown passes allowed.
In ESPN standard scoring leagues, the 49ers have the second-worst defense/special teams unit with just nine total points.
The weakness for the 49ers defense has been stopping the run, as it’s allowing a league-worst 180.4 yards per game. The Patriots are fully capable of exploiting that with LeGarrette Blount, though they also like to use the short passing game as a substitute for running the ball.
Whatever the game plan will be, the Patriots are going to have their way with the 49ers in this game and will get back on track.
Bennett is a monster to cover—especially in the red zone, where his 6’6″ frame is nearly impossible to contain in single coverage. This is the perfect opportunity to put him in your starting lineup and watch the points roll in.
Stats per ESPN.com unless otherwise noted.
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