2016 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidate: Ladarius Green

TE Ladarius Green | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5th Year

2015 Stats: 37 receptions for 429 yards, 4 TD

After four years of being Antonio Gates’ understudy, opportunity is knocking for Ladarius Green upon his signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a free agent. He set career-highs across the board with the San Diego Chargers last season, including a glimpse into what he could with a bigger role with 19 receptions (on 23 targets) for 224 yards and two touchdowns over the four games Gates was suspended.

Green will replace the retired Heath Miller as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 tight end, and wide receiver Martavis Bryant’s season-long suspension opens up a further void (173 combined targets, 110 catches, eight touchdowns from 2015) in the Steelers’ pass offense. Markus Wheaton is slated to step into Bryant’s role as the No. 2 wide receiver, but Green could easily wind up being the second-most targeted pass catcher in Pittsburgh this year.

Green has intrigued fantasy owners with potential and physical tools (6’6″, 240 pounds, 4.53 40-yard dash time) up to this point in his career, with little in terms of tangible results. Now’s the time for that promise to bear fruit, or it may never happen. I’m not quite ready to put him in my preseason top-10 at the position, but those that choose to wait to draft a tight end need to target upside and Green stands out in that regard.

2016 Projection

60 receptions for 750 yards, 8 TD

Breakout Percentage

75%

ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.