Fantasy Football: 10 Up-and-Coming Players to Target for Keeper Leagues

Hunter Henry, TE, San Diego Chargers

Yahoo Ownership: 17%

ESPN Ownership: 27.4%

San Diego Chargers rookie tight end Hunter Henry was forced into heavy duty early this season, playing all 59 snaps for the Chargers in Week 3 thanks to an injury to Antonio Gates. Unfortunately for Henry owners, Gates returned in Week 5, and Henry's playing time has been on the decline ever since, bottoming out in Week 10 at just 26 snaps (33.8%).

Even with this reduction in playing time, Henry has only scored three less fantasy points than Gates so far in 2016. And while this playing time trend may spell doom for Henry owners in 2016, the rookie may be the lead tight end for the Chargers in 2017 as Gates can be waived for a mere $500,000.

Henry is an absolute beast in the red zone, scoring three touchdowns inside the 10-yard line so far in 2016. We all know what Philip Rivers has done with tight ends in the past -- in only 11 games played in 2015, Gates ranked as the No. 12 tight end, and in a full season in 2014, Gates was the No. 2 tight end.

Of course, Henry is unlikely to match the production of Gates, one of the best to ever to do it. With that said, Henry could be in line for a huge role in 2017.