Antonio Gates (TE, LAC) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 10% of Leagues

ANALYSIS: You knew it would happen. As soon as Hunter Henry torn his ACL this offseason, everyone penciled in Antonio Gates as the Chargers’ top tight end. He took his sweet time returning, taking a page out of Le’Veon Bell’s playbook, but Gates has signed and is automatically the No. 1 TE on the Chargers depth chart.

Gates had a career-low 316 receiving yards last season, but that was partially due to Henry taking his targets at tight end. Philip Rivers zones in on Gates more in the red zone than I zone in on the food court at the mall. Without Henry on the field, Rivers will focus on Keenan Allen first and then Gates second in many games, if not most of the games. Do not be surprised if Gates takes a big gulp from the Fountain of Youth and finishes with 55 receptions for 500 yards and six scores.