New England Patriots

Pats TE Martellus Bennett on lack of targets: 'I'm not a fantasy football player'

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:17 p.m. ET

Brett Smiley

With Rob Gronkowski (hamstring) sidelined for the New England Patriots' opener on Sunday night at the Arizona Cardinals, the likelihood grew for a big (fantasy football) game from fellow tight end Martellus Bennett.

Acquired via a trade with with the Chicago Bears in March, Bennett has totally bought in the Patriots Way, which means "Do your job."

Bennett played almost every single offensive snap (97%) in the Patriots' grinding 23-21 win at Arizona, but saw only five targets from quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, catching three passes for 14 yards. Here's how Bennett, aka the Black Unicorn, described his role, via CSSNE:

At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, he's bigger than most defensive ends and linebackers and has proved to be a very effective blocker.

A couple weeks ago, I pegged Bennett as the Patriots biggest fantasy sleeper, figuring he might be in line for 70 catches for 10 touchdowns this season. But the only guarantee with the Patriots offense is that there is no guarantee. Next week, Bennett might see 20 targets against the Dolphins, and perhaps the week after the Pats might run the ball 73 times. Bennett said: