Michael Hoomanawanui

Hoomanawanui missed the entire 2016 season with a high-ankle injury, which he suffered during the Saints' third preseason game last season. The veteran tight end, who logged 11 catches for 79 yards and three touchdowns in his last healthy campaign with the Saints in 2015, is expected to compete during training camp for a roster spot as the team's third tight end, behind Coby Fleener and Josh Hill. Even if Hoomanawanui earns a roster spot, he has primarily been deployed as a blocker throughout his eight-year career, which limits his upside in fantasy leagues.

Hoomanawanui landed in New Orleans via a trade with the Patriots in late September, but the tight end notched only 11 receptions for 76 yards in 12 games for the Saints. Hoomanawanui did find the end zone three times last season, but his role is primarily as a blocker. He can likely be counted on for the occasional score, but with the Saints adding receiving tight end Coby Fleener this offseason, Hoomanawanui's upside is limited.

Hoomanawanui, who caught three passes for 44 yards last season, figures stick around as a depth tight end, but he's clearly behind Rob Gronkowski and Scott Chandler in the fantasy pecking order.

Rob Gronkowski is uncertain to be ready for the season opener as he recovers from ACL surgery, but Hoomanawanui did not do much for fantasy owners last year in the nine games that Gronkowski missed. In any case, with Tim Wright now in the mix, Hoomanawanui's pass-catching opportunities figures to be limited.

With Rob Gronkowski's early-season availability in question and Aaron Hernandez no longer with the team, Hoomanawanui is a candidate to see added opportunities out of the gate this coming season. Jake Ballard, Daniel Fells, Zach Sudfeld and Brandon Ford are in the mix as well, with the player eventually emerging as the leader in that positional battle perhaps worthy of a fantasy dart.

The oft-injured Hoomanawanui will be given one more chance to try and make it through a full year as the primary back-up at tight end behind Lance Hendricks.

It looks like Hoomanawanui will be the odd man out in the tight end battle despite having played very well in his injury shortened rookie season. Expect him to be the third string tight end when the season begins behind Lance Kendricks and Billy Bajema.

Hoomanawanui is expected to compete with Billy Bajema for the No. 2 tight end job behind starter Daniel Fells.