Fantasy- 32 Teams in 32 Days: The New England Patriots
By Matt Mikolas
The New England Patriots made it to the Super Bowl once again last year despite not being a popular preseason pick. What about this year?
Off-Season Overview
Last year’s bridesmaids are in a bit of a transition. It seems like the Bill Belichick roster is always churning. Usually post-season success means an impending youth movement.
This year’s moves are a little different, though. The roster didn’t really get that much younger. And I daresay it didn’t get any better. In fact, it looks like the Patriots might have regressed in some ways.
The Patriots drafted Sony Michel in the first round, which may be good for Brady’s offense, but just muddies the fantasy waters even more at running back. Adding Jeremy Hill to the unit won’t clear things up either, even with Dion Lewis heading out to Tennessee. Hill, Michel, Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Super Bowl LI’s REAL MVP James White all factor into Bill’s BeliTricks.
There is a good chance the offense will feature ALL of these running backs at one point or another. If you can figure out which one will be when, well, you should pack up and move to Vegas. Nothing can be assumed about this rushing attack … but assuming it will take a while for Michel to be worked in, I’d say you’ve got a real chance at James White making a PPR impact, while Hill and Burkhead … you know what? I can’t. I really can’t do it. If I tell you anybody is really a lead candidate, I’m just lying. Start at your own risk.
Wide receiver is slightly more clear. Julian Edelman is FINALLY back … after he serves his four game suspension. Once he returns to the field, I don’t expect it to take much time for Edelman and Brady to find their old form. Gronk, of course, is the biggest and best target in the passing game.
The Patriots brought in Jordan Matthews to add to the mix, but as a fantasy owner, let me just say that I really dislike Jordan Matthews. He looks the part, he’s got all the measurables you want and yet, it just never clicks for him. When he’s not hurt, he’s plagued by another ailment: the dropsies.
Maybe this is the ultimate experiment to see if Brady truly can make ANY receiver better. But I doubt it.
I Gotta Get Me One of Those!
Rob Gronkowski. I shouldn’t have to say any more.
Buyer Beware
I guess I should have saved my diatribe on Jordan Matthews for this space. Everything I said up there applies here. Someone is going to look at him starting four games for Edelman, and say, ‘ah. Brady’s starter. I’ll take him, please.’ Don’t be that someone. There is far more upside with Gronk or a RB.
Stay Woke
I’ve seen talk about Jacob Hollister possibly pushing for snaps in the two TE sets. And then I’m reminded of Tim Wright. And I’ll not be sucked back into that fake hype. No, my sleeper is actually Corderrelle Patterson. I know he did next to nothing in Minnesota and Oakland, but I believe that Belichick and Brady can find something to do with all that speed. Just a name to keep in mind.
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