Allen was on the field for six of a possible 68 snaps on offense in Sunday's 24-17 win over the Jets.

EDGE Analysis

After logging a season-high 50 snaps (out of a possible 74) with Rob Gronkowski out in Week 5, Allen reverted to a reserve role Sunday. In any case, Allen has yet to catch a pass this season, thus putting him well off the fantasy radar as long as Gronkowski is healthy.

With Rob Gronkowski (thigh) inactive, Allen started at tight end for the Patriots in Thursday's 19-14 win over the the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Allen was on the field for a season-high 50 snaps (out of a possible 74), but he wasn't targeted in the game and is still looking for his first regular-season catch in a New England uniform. While there may be some weeks when Allen sees occasional red-zone looks as part of the Patriots' game plan, he's not a reliable fantasy option at this stage, especially with Gronkowski targeting a Week 6 return to action.

With Rob Gronkowski (thigh) inactive Thursday night against the Buccaneers, Allen figures to see added looks in the Patriots' Week 5 offense.

EDGE Analysis

Fellow tight end Jacob Hollister could also see an uptick in action Thursday, with Allen representing a potential lineup plug-in for those scrambling for a Week 5 Gronkowski replacement. Allen -- who scored six TDs in 14 games with the Colts last season -- has yet to haul in a pass (on six targets) through four games with the Patriots to date, so he remains a speculative play Thursday.

With Rob Gronkowski (thigh) a candidate to miss Thursday's game against the Buccaneers, perAdam Schefter of ESPN, Allen could see added looks in the Patriots' Week 5 offense.

EDGE Analysis

In such a scenario, fellow TE Jacob Hollister could also see an uptick in action, but Allen at least represents a potential lineup plug-in for those scrambling for a Gronkowski replacement in advance of Thursday's contest.

Allen saw action on nine of the Patriots' 70 snaps on offense in Sunday's 33-30 loss to the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski was out there for all of the team's snaps on offense. With zero catches in four games to date, Allen -- who was targeted once Sunday -- is off the fantasy lineup radar as long as Gronkowski remains healthy.

Allen was on the field for 17 of the Patriots' 65 snaps on offense in Sunday's 36-33 win over the Texans.

EDGE Analysis

Allen was targeted twice Sunday, but remains without a catch through the Patriots' first three games. While it's conceivable that he may have occasional fantasy-worthy outbursts in the coming weeks, he's not a high-percentage play as long as fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski remains healthy enough to log a heavy workload.

Allen was on the field for 46 of the Patriots' 76 snaps on offense in Sunday's 36-20 win over the Saints, ESPN's Mike Reiss reports.

EDGE Analysis

In the process, Allen was targeted once and held without a catch for the second straight game. Allen's fantasy utility continues to be tied to the health of fellow tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was forced out of Sunday's contest with a groin injury. Gronkowski's Week 3 status has yet to be clarified, so Allen might be worth a roster stash in deeper formats to see how his talented teammate's injury situation plays out.

Allen was on the field for 27 of the Patriots' 81 snaps on offense in Thursday's 42-27 loss to the Chiefs, per ESPN's Mike Reiss.

EDGE Analysis

Allen was targeted twice Thursday, but did not record a catch. Meanwhile, star TE Rob Gronkowski was out there for 78 snaps, a clear indication that the Patriots intend to roll with him as much as possible, health-permitting. While there may be some weeks where Allen sees occasional red zone looks, he's not a reliable fantasy option, so long as Gronkowski is able to suit up.

Allen logged 14 snaps in Friday's preseason game against the Lions.

EDGE Analysis

Allen, who wasn't targeted in the contest, approaches the 2017 season as a solid all-around tight end who'll provide the Patriots with a complementary option/insurance policy for the oft-injured Rob Gronkowski. Allen is no stranger to the training room himself, but when healthy, the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder can do some damage in the red zone. Over the course of 57 NFL contests to date, he's hauled in 19 TDs. His fantasy upside is, however, limited as long as Gronkowski is able to see his normal allotment of snaps.

Tom Brady has frequently looked to Allen in the red zone at training camp, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Patriots made frequent use of two-TE formations last season when both Martellus Bennett and Rob Gronkowski were healthy, but Allen isn't quite on Bennett's level and that team didn't have Brandin Cooks. While it therefore would be unwise to expect Allen to come anywhere near Bennett's target volume, the former Colt could stay regularly involved in the red zone, where he's long been a threat. 19 of his 126 career receptions have gone for touchdowns, with 11 of those coming from inside the 10-yard line. Allen's primary appeal still involves a scenario in which Gronkowski is absent.