Week 9 Outlook
Availability
The New Orleans Saints have signed tight end Clay Harbor.
Fantasy Impact
Harbor, 29, signed with the Saints over the weekend. The seven-yer veteran, who has been primarily a blocking tight end throughout his career, is expected to assume a similar role in New Orleans -- if he makes the roster. Coby Fleener is the TE1 on the Saints for the upcoming season.
Clay Harbor hauled in both of his targets for 16 yards on Sunday.
Fantasy Impact
With dynamic young tight end Eric Ebron out, the Lions haven't been targeting this position much in the passing game, but Harbor actually functioned as QB Matt Stafford's first read on a couple of plays in Detroit's game against Washington. Harbor won't be lighting up the stat sheet anytime soon, but he is taking on a more significant role as he spends more time with the Lions.
Clay Harbor secured his only target Sunday afternoon for 3 yards.
Fantasy Impact
Harbor was signed just recently by Detroit to shore up their injury-riddled tight end position and hasn't had much of an opportunity to develop rapport with quarterback Matt Stafford or become an integral part of the teams' offensive game plan. Until Eric Ebron returns from injury, even the most desperate fantasy players should look to other teams for bye-week fill-ins at the position.
Adam Kurkjian of the Boston Herald believes New England Patriots tight end Clay Harbor could play multiple roles under Bill Belichick this year.
Fantasy Impact
Signed to a two-year, $3 million deal this offseason, Harbor projects as a FB/TE hybrid. Whatever roles he plays, one role he is unlikely to land is that of fantasy contributor. Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett are far ahead of him in the target pecking order, making him only a worthwhile add should one of them succumb to injury.
Patriots signed TE Clay Harbor, formerly of the Jaguars. Harbor made three starts filling in for Julius Thomas last year, but spent most of the season as Jacksonville's No. 3 tight end.
Fantasy Impact
More than likely Harbor will also be the No. 3 tight end for the Patriots. If Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett can stay healthy this year there will not be many targets for Harbor. But if one of them was to go down, Harbor might have fantasy relevance.
