Lance Kendricks

After spending six years in the Rams organization, Kendricks decided to head back to his home state during the offseason. He is coming off his most productive season since 2012, but with Martellus Bennett and Richard Rodgers also on the roster, don't expect his role to increase this season. He and Rodgers will compete for the backup job behind Bennett.

After averaging about half the targets of Jared Cook the last three years, Kendricks won't have to share this season, as Cook left in free agency. Considering together they averaged 128 targets a season, there should be plentyof opportunities for Ken-dricks. The Rams did not replace Cook, nor did they upgrade a weak wideout corps. Unless they plan to run Todd Gurley every play, they have to throw it somewhere. And why not to Kendricks? At 6-3, 250, he's a capable red-zone target, he has decent speed for his size with a 4.75 40, good leaping ability (35-inch vertical) and is agile, athletic, strong and a good blocker, which will keep him on the field for three downs. Of course, he'll likely have a rookie in Jared Goff throwing to him, but maybe that will work to his advantage if he becomes a reliable check-down for Goff.

Kendricks is the best of both worlds for the Rams, as he's a solid ball-catcher and blocker. He has the potential to put up bigger numbers, but his versatility and role in the St. Louis offense limits his fantasy value. He will have a multi-touchdown game one or two times a year, but with less than 550 yards combined over the last two seasons, the fantasy value just isn't there.

Kendricks is undersized for a prototypical tight end at 6-4, 240, but boasts an impressive pedigree, leading Wisconsin in its main receiving stats – catches, yards, touchdowns – in 2010. Unfortunately, Kendricks' receiving acumen has yet to translate consistently to the NFL field, despite showing flashes of the talent that led the Rams to draft him with a second-round pick in 2011. With Jared Cook back again after leading the Rams' meager passing offense in both receptions and receiving yards last season, Kendricks may struggle again to make a significant fantasy impact.

The signing of Jared Cook really drains Kendricks' value, as he will have a hard time fighting off the more athletic Cook for the No. 1 tight end spot.

Kendricks was a major letdown as a rookie after a much-heralded preseason in which he led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Come the regular season, Kendricks caught only 47 percent of his paltry 59 targets and did not score a touchdown despite eight red-zone targets. Injuries and a woeful offense contributed to his downfall, and the chemistry he showed with Sam Bradford in August all but disappeared in September. Kendrick will have to learn a new offense this season with a new coaching staff arriving, but the team should be healthier, and Bradford still has promise as a quarterback. Kendricks still has good upside, and he goes to camp as the Rams’ No. 1 tight end.

Kendricks led Wisconsin last year in the main receiving stats – catches, yards, touchdowns – and brings his pass-catching skills to the Rams. At 6-4, 240, he’s on the smaller side for the position, though he showed good strength at the NFL Combine with 25 reps of 225 pounds. While he’s a solid receiver, it remains to be seen if at his size he can be an effective blocker off the line. With Daniel Fells off to Denver and only Michael Hoomanawanui as his real competition, Kendricks could win the starting job to be Sam Bradford's top tight end.