Ben Utecht

Tight EndTE
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Ben Utecht in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Released by the Bengals in November of 2009.
TEFree Agent
Concussion
November 18, 2009
Utecht, who was on the Bengals' IR with a concussion, reached an injury settlement with the team and was released, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
ANALYSIS
Utecht has completed his rehab, and releasing him allows him to seek work elsewhere.
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Ben Utecht lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Ben Utecht Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Utecht suffered a chest injury a year ago, which cost him six games. It didn't matter much, as the Bengals struggled on offense with the loss of Carson Palmer. Utecht had only 123 receiving yards after eclipsing 360 the previous two seasons. The drafting of Chase Coffman should negatively impact Utecht's fantasy value. However, the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Palmer's return to health could mean an increase of targets in the red zone. Reggie Kelly's season-ending knee injury in training camp opens the door for Utecht to play more.
Utecht worked as the backup tight end in Indianapolis, but his production was limited behind Dallas Clark. With the Bengals, Utecht joins a team notorious for ignoring the tight end in the passing game. So, we'll see if it's better to be second banana on a team that uses its tight ends or top man on a team that rarely targets the position. Cincinnati was next to last in tight-end receptions and receiving yards in 2007, while none of its tight ends caught a touchdown pass. That's a pattern exhibited by the Bengals over the last five years. But Utecht is a better receiver than Cincinnati's traditionally had at the position, and with the departure of Chris Henry and Chad Johnson griping about his contract, there's some upside here.
Utecht caught 37 passes in 2006, more than starter Dallas Clark, who was not always lined up as a traditional tight end. The addition of first-round pick WR Antonio Gonzalez is going to move Clark back to the line, meaning Utecht will get less playing time and targets. While the Colts utilize the tight end in the red zone (22 tight-end targets, 4th in NFL), most of that is reserved for Clark.
Utecht could never could win playing time last year as he endured yet another injury-plagued season and lost the second tight end role to Bryan Fletcher. He can still catch the ball, so he'll likely be a deep sleeper again this season. He'll start the season as the No. 3 TE and could move up to No. 2.
Utecht appears healthy for the first time in two years after suffering a sports hernia injury in his senior season at Minnesota. The undrafted free agent drew praise for his ability to stretch the defense and catch the ball in spring workouts. He'll compete for the backup job with Ben Hartsock and Bryan Fletcher, who have been mostly used as blocking tight ends.
An undrafted free agent who is far down on the depth chart and may miss the season due to a groin injury. He's more of a long-term project.
More Fantasy News
Ben Utecht: Lands on IR
TECincinnati Bengals
Concussion
August 31, 2009
Utecht has been placed on season-ending injured reserve due to his concussion, the Bengals' official site reports.
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TECincinnati Bengals
Concussion
August 25, 2009
Utecht's post-concussion symptoms are still lingering and doctors have advised him to lay low in order to keep from raising his blood pressure, the Bengals' official site reports.
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TECincinnati Bengals
Concussion
August 21, 2009
Utecht (concussion) sat out Thursday's preseason game against the Patriots.
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TECincinnati Bengals
Concussion
August 13, 2009
Utecht (concussion) will miss Friday's preseason opener against the Saints, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
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TECincinnati Bengals
Concussion
August 6, 2009
Utecht suffered a concussion in practice on Wednesday, the team's official web site reports. He was taken in an ambulance from practice to a local hospital.
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