Martellus Bennett

After a career year in 2014, Bennett had his worst season as a starter in 2015. While he lost less than a target per game off his 128-target pace from the year before, his efficiency cratered. His YPC was the second-lowest of his career, and his YPT was his lowest since his days as the backup to Jason Witten in Dallas. A rib injury cost him five games, including the last four, and the emergence of Zach Miller allowed the Bears to trade Bennett to the Patriots to save $5.2 million in cap space. But will there be enough left over for him playing alongside Rob Gronkowski? Well, in 19 games played with Gronkowski in 2011-12, Aaron Hernandez averaged 7.6 targets per game. Bennett, though, likely will be used more as an in-line tight end than Hernandez, who was often used in the slot. That said, there are targets up for grabs, as the departed Brandon LaFell leaves behind 74 and the Patriots replaced him with only the untested Chris Hogan. And with 4.68 speed, Bennett can rack up yards on his own - in the last three years, he is second among TE to only Gronkowski in YAC with 1,099. At 6-6, 273, Bennett could prosper in the red zone as Gronkowski will be the first choice for double-teams by defenses. His role is uncertain, but Bennett has upside in a Tom Brady offense even as the No. 2 TE.

Bennett led tight ends in receptions last season and set career highs for yards and touchdowns, an impressive feat considering the many weapons in the Bears' offense. But he was more a volume play (128 targets, second among TE) than explosive. The Bears had trouble going downfield to their top two receivers (62 fewer targets than in 2013), instead dumping it off to Bennett and Matt Forte, who set the all-time record for catches by a running back. Bennett's yards per catch (11.7 to 10.2) and yards per target (8.1 to 7.2) both fell, and his production was uneven. After scoring four touchdowns the first three weeks, he scored just twice more. He had six games with less than 40 yards receiving, including the fantasy-championship-week dud of the year with one catch for no yards in Week 16. Part of the problem was a struggling Jay Cutler, who eventually was benched for Jimmy Clausen (Week 16 for Bennett's bagel). Bennett could continue to see a high volume of targets this season. Rookie wideout Kevin White probably won't match the 106 targets of the departed Brandon Marshall, and Forte likley won't have another record-breaking year. Plus, new offensive coordinator Adam Gase presided over a high-flying offense in Denver that turned tight end Julius Thomas into a star despite the many hands to feed. Better red-zone efficiency would protect Bennett from a loss in volume. The 6-6, 265-pound Bennett converted just five of his position-leading 22 red-zone targets into touchdowns last year — 11 tight ends had as many.

Bennett had a career year in his first season in Chicago, but that was only enough to make him a fringe top-10 tight end as the team's fourth receiving option. While he had 94 targets, he averaged just 11.7 yards per reception. And much of that he did on his own -- he led tight ends with an average of 6.2 yards after the catch -- as he was often used in check downs and dump-offs. Shorter passes helped Bennett improve his catch rate by eight percentage points to 69.1 percent (sixth), but he was held to less than 50 receiving yards in nine games. And while he scored three touchdowns in the first two weeks, he had just two more the rest of the way. It's curious why the 6-6, 265, Bennett was not used more in the red zone. He had a healthy 16 red-zone targets (sixth), but those accounted for just 22.2 percent of the team total (ninth), with just four coming in the last nine games (two inside the 10-yard-line). The Bears were one of two teams last year (Denver) that targeted three non-TE at least 90 times. With Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte in the fold, Bennett's targets probably won't increase much, making his value dependent on his work at the goal line.

After scoring in each of the first three games last year, Bennett managed just two more touchdowns the rest of the way, and he topped 80 yards receiving only once all season. And though he played 16 games, Bennett was hobbled for much of the season by a hyperextended knee, as well as by an inconsistent Giants offense that failed to pass for more than 250 yards in seven of its last nine games. A massive 6-6, 270, Bennett uses size more than speed to beat defenders. His large frame is also an asset in the red zone where he saw 16 targets last season, seven inside the 10-yard line. Now that he's in Chicago, Bennett will have Jay Cutler getting him the ball, but it's unclear how the Bears will incorporate the tight end into the offense. Last season, the Bears threw to No. 1 tight end Kellen Davis only 44 times, but Davis is not known for his pass catching, and in any event, there's an entirely new coaching staff calling the plays. New offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, who spent the last five years in New Orleans and filled in as head coach early last year, is likely to be more tight-end friendly, and the entire offense should move at a faster pace.

Bennett brings his talents to the Giants after spending the last few seasons playing behind Jason Witten in Dallas. The Giants had a hole at tight end with both Jake Ballard and Travis Beckum rehabbing ACL injuries, giving Bennett an opportunity to carve out a prominent role in the passing game. Bennett could prosper working between the numbers with Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks attracting attention from opposing defensive backs. Bennett is a huge red-zone target at 6-6 and has good speed for his listed playing weight (270), but he showed up to offseason workouts at 291 pounds, reviving the work-ethic issues that dogged him in Dallas. Bennett has the talent and opportunity to produce, making him an intriguing fantasy considering -- as long as proves he’s matured.

Bennett turned in a solid effort in 2010 as Dallas' second tight end, but didn't definitively establish himself as Jason Witten's heir apparent. He lacks breakaway speed but otherwise has the physical tools to be a potent weapon in the passing game, especially in the red zone, but so far in his career Bennett hasn't shown the focus or discipline necessary to take full advantage of his gifts. With the more polished John Phillips returning from injury, Bennett may have to take a step forward in his development to keep his TE2 spot on the depth chart.

Bennett took a step back last season as a second-year pro and caught only 15 of the 30 balls thrown his way. He wasn’t used much in the passing game after a strong preseason and then missed two late-season games due to a concussion. Bennett squabbled with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett over his role, and where that leaves him for 2010 is unknown at this point. In any event, Jason Witten’s dominance doesn’t provide a lot of leftovers for Bennett, even though Bennett has good size (6- 6) and speed for the position.

Bennett very quietly recorded four touchdowns last season, playing second fiddle to Jason Witten. While Bennett has excellent size (6-6, 259) and good speed for the position, it’s hard to imagine him having an enormous role with Witten, Roy Williams and three quality running backs on the roster. Should something happen to Witten, however, Bennett has a good deal of upside, so long as he keeps his focus and maintains his consistency. There’s little doubt about the 22-year-old’s physical skills, so bump him up a bit in keeper leagues.

Backup TE will learn from one of the best in Jason Witten.