Drew Loftis

Drew Loftis

NFL

Fantasy Tracker: Sell high on TE Jordan Cameron

Like driving 80 mph on a freeway without police interference, like Peyton Manning’s pace of 64 touchdowns and five interceptions, like a run of good Adam Sandler movies — some trends are just unsustainable.

Enter third-year Browns tight end Jordan Cameron, who has gone from a late-round sleeper pick to a marquee player at his position on track for a historic campaign.

If Cameron were to keep his current pace — he has 33 catches for 396 yards and five touchdowns through five games — he would finish the season among the career leaders in a single season by active tight ends (1,267), catches (106) and touchdowns (16).

Granted, Saints tight end Jimmy Graham has been even more prolific (37 catches, 593 yards, six TDs), but he was expected to excel — just not quite this much — while Cameron was an afterthought.

Neither Cameron nor Graham can maintain this type of success over the course of a full season, but it is more reasonable to believe Graham will suffer less of a decline. He has a track record of sensational fantasy results. But we envision a greater degree of course correction for Cameron.

The Browns are a team that has minimal threat of a running game. Their starting quarterback is the immortal Brandon Weeden — who, after a thumb injury, appeared to have lost his job to the now-injured Brian Hoyer.

Though the team is 3-0 since the shocking trade of top running back Trent Richardson, which coincided with the quarterback change to Hoyer, this smells like a mirage.

Let’s be clear: Cameron is a bona fide top-tier tight end. If you have him, play him. If you are facing him, fear him. Just be aware, much like Manning’s historic pace, Cameron will not continue to post such monstrous numbers.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t fleece other owners thanks to Cameron’s newfound excellence. There are not many tight ends who can yield a starting running back or wide receiver in a trade, but count Cameron among them at this point.

Try to sell him high for a buy-low back or receiver. Perhaps the owner of Doug Martin is panicking. Maybe you can nab Torrey Smith. You might even decide to settle for Hakeem Nicks, if you believe he can perform strong the rest of the year and you can get a replacement tight end like the resurgent Antonio Gates.

And if you are unable to stumble upon a great deal, don’t sweat. Even if Cameron falls off his current pace, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be among the top tight ends going forward.

Big Weeks

Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs, vs. Oak

Mr. Game Manager doesn’t throw deep often enough, but the Raiders don’t give up a ton of big plays anyway yet yield tons of yards on shorter throws.

Willis McGahee, RB, Browns, vs. Lions

Got a heavy does of carries last week (26) and scored for the first time as a Brown. Should improve his marginal yardage number from last week (72, around 2.8 ypc).

Marques Colston, WR, Saints, at Patriots

Bill Belichick tends to game-plan to contain opposition’s best weapon. For the Saints, that would be TE Jimmy Graham. Extra attention Graham’s way should mean more open space for Colston.

Garrett Graham, TE, Texans, vs. Rams

QB situation is a mess, matchup isn’t great (Rams are eighth stingiest vs. fantasy TEs), but with Owen Daniels out, Graham will get boost in targets.

Small Weaks

Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions, at Browns

Cleveland and super-corner Joe Haden haven’t given up a TD through the air in three weeks. Status of WR Calvin Johnson (knee) doesn’t help.

Frank Gore, RB, 49ers, vs. Cardinals

Arizona has yielded the third fewest fantasy points to RBs, and just one TD on the ground this season.

Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys, vs. Redskins

Coming off huge game last week vs. Denver, he was popular waiver pickup this week. But with Miles Austin likely back in the mix, and facing a Washington defense as generous on the ground as it is in the air, don’t force Williams into your lineup if you have other options.

New Orleans, DEF/ST, Saints, at Patriots

The Saints, under new coordinator Rob Ryan, have been stout thus far. But on the road against a Patriots squad that has WR Danny Amendola back. After terrible showing last week, Tom Brady & Co. will be itching to post some big numbers.

The Decision

Drew Loftis and Steve Serby debate whom you should start, and whom you should bench, this week:

Garrett Graham vs. Heath Miller

Loftis: Graham — The backup Texans TE has three scores already this season — with Owen Daniels playing. Daniels is out this week. And with embattled QB Matt Schaub likely to be on his best, most conservative behavior, plenty of TE checkdowns should be in order against a weak Rams defense.

Serby: Miller — Loftis either fails to understand what the Heathster, recovered from his balky knee, has meant to Big Ben all these years, or has conveniently forgotten that three tight ends — Delanie Walker, Scott Chandler and the immortal Levine Toilolo — have found the end zone against Gang Green. And the only reason Tony Gonzalez didn’t was because two Jets held him hostage — or just plain held him — in the red zone. Mike Tomlin has reshuffled his sorry offensive line, so Ben will be matching poor Mr. Schaub checkdown for checkdown.

Last week: Loftis 19 (DeSean Jackson — seven catches, 132 receiving yards, one TD), Serby 14 (Hakeem Nicks — nine catches, 142 receiving yards)

Season: Loftis leads, 3-2