Golden

Tate

Tate worked out with Tennessee in July and was likely brought back since A.J. Brown (chest), Marcus Johnson (hamstring, IR), and Julio Jones (hamstring, IR) are all battling injuries. It’s possible Tate is called up from the practice squad over their Week 13 bye if Brown struggles to get healthy. Dez Fitzpatrick and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will work in two-wide sets in the interim.

Tate was “looking at signing” with the Titans, Colts, and Rams last month. The Titans, who signed Josh Reynolds in March and traded for Julio Jones, would be blocking Day 3 picks Dez Fitzpatrick and Racey McMath if they added Tate. New Orleans is a possible fit for Tate as insurance for Michael Thomas. The 32-year-old could miss the early stages of training camp before he signs with a team.

Tate is from Tennessee and had his best years with Matthew Stafford. The Colts and “all of the NFC West” are also potential landing spots. Tate’s free agent market has been quiet after his fallout and March release from the Giants. The 32-year-old, who played 2020 at a $7.9M salary, could land a non-guaranteed deal before training camp.

This move was widely expected after a forgettable season that included a suspension and some on-field frustrations surrounding his target volume. Tate, 33, no longer projects as a sure-fire starter in the slot but could be a fit on a contender as depth. He’s posted 795-, 676-, and 388-yard seasons since leaving Detroit in 2017. The Giants will be leaning on Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Saquon Barkley, and offseason acquisitions in 2021.

Tate has a calf injury and hasn’t played since Week 15.

Tate suffered the injury in practice last week and missed Week 16. Sterling Shepard, who caught 9-of-12 targets for 77 yards and a touchdown last week against Baltimore, should continue benefiting from Tate’s absence. Shepard will be a low-end WR2 with some PPR upside against Dallas.

Tate was downgraded mid-week and should be viewed as week to week. The Giants haven’t had a weekly fantasy starter at receiver for most of the season. Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton are slightly better options with Tate out.

Even if Daniel Jones (hamstring) returns, as expected for Week 16, Tate will lack WR5 juice for a tough fantasy finals matchup with the Ravens. The mid-week downgrade to “DNP” has Tate looking doubtful.

Matched up one-on-one in the slot, Tate nearly had a touchdown but the defender batted closed ground while a Colt McCoy pass floated like a butterfly. As the No. 3 receiver in an iffy offense, it’s unlikely Tate stings like a bee against the Ravens in Week 16.

Tate hasn’t topped 50 yards in a game once this year. He hasn’t caught more than four passes in a game since Week 2. Tate can be forgotten about in all formats.