One of the most frustrating players in football has to be Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert.
We know what Eifert is capable of when he is healthy, but that's the thing: Eifert simply cannot stay on the field, and you would be hard-pressed to find a player who has had more injury issues over the last several years than him.
Since making the Pro Bowl after hauling in 52 receptions for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2015, Eifert has played in just 14 games, most recently appearing in just four contests this past season as a result of a dislocated ankle.
What's more, Eifert also only played in one game back in 2014 due to a gruesome elbow injury.
He has also had plenty of back issues that have resulted in two surgeries.
So, just what should we expect from Eifert going into the 2019 campaign?
Well, obviously, none of us know what to expect, and as a matter of fact, the chances seem more likely of Eifert playing less than half the season than him actually having a big year.
But you know what? Eifert may still be a risk worth taking for Fantasy Football owners.
Generally, you want two tight ends on your fantasy team, and while I certainly would not recommend making Eifert your primary tight end, it might be smart to take a risk on him as your No. 2.
Of course, that is a dangerous game to play, because if your No. 1 tight end gets hurt and then you have to rely on Eifert, you might end up in a bad spot, but Eifert might also reward you.
Let's keep in mind Eifert's stat line back in 2015, and in eight games in 2016, he was on pace to post similar numbers before going down with a back injury.
The man can play, so if he is healthy, you know you are getting a productive tight end.
Now, of course, one can also make the argument that even if Eifert stays on the field in 2019, he might not have that great of a year because, after a while, injuries take their toll on the body, and we don't know how Eifert is going to respond.
That is certainly a good point, but let's remember that Eifert turns just 29 years old in September, so it's not like he is 33 or 34. Basically, he is still young enough where he can bounce back.
We also know that the Bengals have two really good wide receivers in A.J. Green and Tyler Boyd who will attract a whole lot of attention, which could open up the middle of the field for Eifert.
We do have to note that Cincinnati's offensive line is not very good, meaning Andy Dalton may not have a whole lot of time to throw, but on that same token, that means short and intermediate routes might be a better option for Dalton, which means Eifert could be his security blanket.
Obviously, Eifert's entire value comes down to whether or not he will actually be able to avoid injury for the first time in four years, which means you would be crazy to take him as your top tight end.
But taking him as your No. 2 (if he is available) could end up paying huge dividends, especially considering that he is a big-time red zone threat capable of recording double-digit touchdowns.
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