Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Mason Taylor

Thursday, September 4, 6:15 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) was officially listed as a non-participant for the second straight day at practice on Thursday, according to Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post. The Dolphins are bringing Waller along slowly after he was in retirement all of last year, but his absence from practice on Thursday is a bit concerning after head coach Mike McDaniel said on Wednesday that he would return the following day. The 32-year-old veteran is also listed with an actual injury for the first time since coming out of retirement to join the team. All summer, the Dolphins were taking it easy on Waller to get his conditioning up to speed. He will have one more chance on Friday to get back on the practice field before Sunday's Week 1 season opener against the Colts. Even if Waller is active, he'll likely be on a snap count, so he can't realistically be trusted in starting fantasy lineups.

Saturday, August 30, 12:33 PM

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor has a chance to emerge as a key contributor within the team's passing game this season. A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor recorded 55 catches for 546 yards and two touchdowns in his final collegiate season. The 21-year-old reportedly had an impressive training camp and is poised to open the season as the Jets' top tight end. New York does not have a clear secondary target-earner behind star wide receiver Garrett Wilson, so Taylor could conceivably work his way into a prominent role early in the year. He should not be counted on for fantasy TE1 production, but Taylor could end up being a value as a late-round flier in deeper leagues.