Larry Donnell is a 6’6 athletic target at the tight end position entering his second season in the NFL out of Grambling State. The Giants are hoping that this young athlete can take hold of the starting job in New York and provide an improvement over last season’s disappointing free agent acquisition Brandon Myers, now a Buc. Donnell will have to earn the job, after catching only three passes all of last season, but he has the athleticism and frame to succeed in the NFL.
Fantasy Upside
Teaming with athleticism, Donnell is a big target in the red zone and will have every opportunity to prove he has what it takes to be a starting tight end in the league. Additionally, the Giants have been looking for an answer at the position, as Eli Manning has traditionally used the tight end position as a safety valve. Prior to last year, Giants tight ends were usually good fantasy options, and Donnell has the frame, ability, and opportunity to follow in a long line of productive fantasy options at the position in New York.
Fantasy Downside
Brandon Myers disproved the “insert tight end here” rule in New York. For years, Eli Manning maintained valid fantasy tight ends from the likes of Jake Ballard, Kevin Boss, and Martellus Bennett, but Myers broke the rules. Instead of the Giants making an unknown player relevant, they made an up-and-coming tight end a disappointment. Donnell will get first crack to be more of the former, but erratic Eli has created legitimate concerns for any pass catcher for the Giants. Donnell’s obscurity works against him as well, as he’s not even a lock to win the job. He’ll have to beat out journeyman Daniel Fells and Adrien Robinson to stay atop the depth chart.
Bottom Line
Donnell is a high risk/reward option. He’s not really worth drafting with the depth at the tight end position in fantasy football, but he’s worth noting and keeping an eye on. If he holds onto the job through the start of the season, then it’s very possible that he’ll be a hot waiver wire pickup early on. Stash him in the back of your mind, but not on your roster until he proves he’s up to the task at hand.
