Fansided

New England Patriots: Offseason fantasy outlook

By Adam Strangis

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 27: New England Patriots’ Malcolm Mitchell stands on the Gillette Stadium practice field in Foxborough, MA during Patriots practice on Dec. 27, 2017. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – DECEMBER 27: New England Patriots’ Malcolm Mitchell stands on the Gillette Stadium practice field in Foxborough, MA during Patriots practice on Dec. 27, 2017. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /

Wide Receiver – Julian Edelman, Chris Hogan, Jordan Matthews, Kenny Britt, Malcolm Mitchell

On paper, this group is a little uninspiring. Edelman can get the job done when he’s on the field but he’s become very injury prone. He’s coming off an ACL tear and has one full season in the past four years. For a receiver that will be 32 years old when the season starts and his game is built on precise routes, an ACL tear is scary. He’s being drafted far too high right now, in the top 90 in standard and top 60 in PPR. Everyone else can have him at those price tags.

Chris Hogan struggled with injuries last season and disappointed owners who thought they were getting a stud after Edelman went down. In my eyes, Jordan Matthews might be the most interesting receiver in this group. In his three seasons with the Eagles, he caught at least 67 passes and went over 800 yards every year. He had injury issues last year as well but this is by far the best situation he’s ever been in. If he’s heathy, he’s the perfect fit for the Patriots system.

Don’t forget about Malcolm Mitchell if you play in deep leagues. He started to flash in his rookie season in 2016 then missed all of last year with an injury. He could really emerge in a hurry during camp this year.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 4-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 04: Rob Gronkowski #87 of the New England Patriots celebrates his 4-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Tight End – Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen

This position is pretty easy to break down. Gronk is one of the best tight ends in football when he’s on the field and he’s a cheat code in your lineup because there are so few difference makers at the tight end spot. He could be in line for a ceiling type season with the receiving corps taking a step back in the offseason.

Gronk is Brady’s favorite remaining target which means he should be one of your favorites as well. The only knock is his draft price is so high. Gronk, Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz are all going within about a round of each other. I’m happy taking the third one of that group if I can.

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