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If you want to find this year’s Jordan Cameron in your fantasy football league, then look no further than rookie tight end Colt Lyerla.
At the beginning of the the Oregon Ducks‘ 2013 season, Lyerla was considered a top prospect for the 2014 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-4, 242-pounds, Lyerla combines his physical strength with a quickness that makes him a great target. He had the highest vertical at the NFL Combine, and he also ran a 4.61 for the 40-yard dash that made him the third-fastest tight end at the Combine. When you add the fact that Lyerla played under Chip Kelly, there wouldn’t seem like there was any reason he went undrafted, but of course Lyerla had off the field issues that killed his value.
After he quit the team in his third season with the Ducks, Lyerla was arrested relatively soon after leaving the team for cocaine possession. Sometimes it just takes an event like that to make someone realize what type of opportunity they are squandering, but there also those individuals who will never learn their lessons. Lyerla stated that he is more mature now and wants to show that he has grown as a person. If he is serious about his new focus and dedication to football, then he has a great opportunity with the Green Bay Packers.
He was invited to attend the Packers’ rookie orientation camp, and Green Bay is still trying to find a replacement for Jermichael Finley. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be without the reliable James Jones this season, and Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson will have to lead the Packers’ offense. Lyerla provides the speed and size that would quickly make him a favorite target of Rodgers, and he would be an immediate contributor to the offense. Finley’s best season was in 2011 with 767 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches, and I think Lyerla could easily reach those numbers with a featured role in the offense.
Green Bay did select tight end Richard Rodgers in the draft, but he has been plagued with injuries during his college career and lacks the speed that Lyerla possesses. The Packers need to add an offensive playmaker to have an edge over the rest of the division, and the former tight end for Oregon is that playmaker.
If he can make the team, Lyerla should have a great year for the Packers and your fantasy team.
Jack Delaney is a fantasy football writer for www.Rantsports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @jackbmore13, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google
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