Clay

Harbor

Harbor, who spent last year out of the league while appearing as a contest on The Bachelorette, is giving himself a three-month window to get back in shape in hopes of earning a tryout this summer. He’s been training in Chicago with former Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson. Harbor drew interest from Buffalo last offseason but suffered an abdominal injury while working out for them. The 2010 fourth-rounder has amassed 114 catches for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns over 95 career appearances for the Eagles, Jaguars, Lions and Patriots.

Beat writers noted several times throughout the offseason that the former Penn State wide receiver looked better than Harbor in non-contact practices. Brackett will have to improve his blocking to at least functional before he unseats Harbor.

Harbor made the game-winning touchdown catch with 1:18 remaining on a crossing route. He was targeted six times, but he’ll share the tight-end targets with Brent Celek. Owners should reach higher at the TE2 spot.

Harbor ended up spending only one day at outside linebacker, while Avant took a handful of reps at defensive back. Reporter Jeff McLane describes the moves as “an effort to explore different scenarios.” Avant says he’s open to anything. “It’s one of those things that I work hard, and whatever that may be, and whatever the team wants me to do, I’ll do it,” Avant said. “I’m going to do it the best I can. I don’t necessarily think it’s a clouded future. I think it’s an honor, in any way, for any coach to think you can do other things.”

“I’m a tight end, and for emergency situations, and just versatility purposes, for me, I’m learning (outside linebacker),” Harbor said Saturday. “Something happens to where you need an outside linebacker, it would be good to know some. Coaches talked to me, ‘Would you mind learning a little bit of linebacker, just in case?’” Harbor did go on to admit the Eagles have a “lot” of tight ends, and that “there’s a good chance that I might not be here.” A three-year veteran going on 26, Harbor’s NFL future should remain at tight end.

He might not even be the best fantasy tight end on his own team, as second-year backup Clay Harbor caught three balls for 55 yards with a touchdown and appeared to have some chemistry with Michael Vick. Drop Celek in 2010.

We believe that number might end up being three. Brent Celek has taken a swift slap to the face this offseason as new coach Chip Kelly added James Casey in free agency and then used a second-round pick on Zach Ertz. Clay Harbor is also still on the roster. Celek, who is owed $3.256M this season, may have to have to show something special in camp to avoid getting cut.

It doesn’t sound like a permanent move, but it could be. The Eagles obviously don’t think highly enough of Harbor to let him work on learning the new offense. The 2010 fourth-rounder has been an underachiever since entering the league, and he’s entering the final year of his rookie deal. Harbor is clearly the odd man out at tight end after the additions of Zach Ertz and James Casey.

It’s the first game Celek has missed since entering the league in 2007. Harbor finished with a 6/52/1 stat line in relief of Celek last week, reeling in all six targets. Rotoworld ranks him 20th among fantasy tight ends for Week 15.

Harbor saw six targets on the night, with two of them being end zone opportunities at the end of the first half. On his final catch, Harbor lost a fumble to account for the Eagles’ fifth turnover of the game. Celek should be able to return to face the Redskins in ten days, so Harbor will return to a back-up role.