Rank: 99

Player: Delanie Walker, Tight End, Tennessee Titans

Seaon Overview

Not many experts had Walker pegged as a legit TE1 at the start of the 2014 season, but that's what he was throughout the year. The former college wide out, who was previously known for being a better blocker than pass catcher, became one of the most consistently good tight ends this past season. He put up career-high numbers in receptions and yards. In addition to this, Walker caught over 60 percent of the passes thrown in his direction from a multitude of average quarterbacks. 

If nothing else, Walker proved to everyone that he can be a starting tight end in the NFL after many years standing in Vernon Davis' shadow in San Francisco.  

Consistency

eDraft's consistency metric for tight ends takes into account games in which players at this position put up either 50-plus yards and/or a touchdown. In this, Walker ranked seventh among tight ends with a solid 60 percent consistency throughout the season. This is an indication that he didn't just ride the coattails of a couple good games to an inflated fantasy performance. Though, it must be noted that Walker did only score four touchdowns on 106 targets. That has to be cause for alarm moving forward. 

Walker put up less than four receptions just four times during the regular year and tallied five-plus catches just three times. This is yet another indication that while Walker is a good fantasy option, he'll never reach elite status. 

Best Four-Game Stretch

Over the course of the first four weeks of the season, Walker tallied 22 receptions for 317 yards and three touchdowns. During that span, the former sixth-round pick averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game and was the top fantasy tight end. His best performance came againt the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 when the tight end put up 10 receptions for 142 yards and a score on 14 targets. 

Worst Four-Game Stretch

From Week 13 to Week 3—otherwise known as crunch time around fantasy football—Walker tallied a combined 13 receptions for 180 yards and zero scores. During that four-game stretch against Houston, the New York teams and Jacksonville, Walker put up a total of 18 fantasy points. Equally as disturbing for fantasy owners, it came against some pedestrian defenses. 

Dynasty Outlook

The primary reason Walker struggled late in the year was a lack of continuity at the quarterback position. After all, the Titans did throw three starters out there under center. Walker's dynasty value moving forward will depend a great deal on who is under center for the Titans. As of right now, it appears that Zach Mettenberger will be getting the call. If that's the case, Walker's value should be—at a bare minimum—what it was this year. Mettenberger is a huge quarterback with an ability to see over the top of the defensive line. This is going to help him connect with the athletic Walker on a consistent basis. 

The other thing to look at here is the fact that Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt runs a pass-first offense. That means that Walker should continue to receive a massive amount of targets moving forward. 

At 31 years old, Walker's long-term dynasty value isn't great. If you are going to rely on him as a bottom-end TE1, make sure to go out there and acquire a young tight end for the future. At the most, Walker has three more extremely productive years left in him.