Antonio Brown released, signs with Patriots: Fantasy context
By Raju Byfield
Fantasy Football Winners and Losers of Antonio Brown to Patriots
Tyrell Williams
Some have responded to the Antonio Brown news by bumping Williams all the way up to WR3 territory. He looks like more of a boom or bust WR4 as he is now the only receiver opposing defensive coordinators will need to scheme for. JJ Nelson and Hunter Renfrow are solid, but they are not going to command defensive attention.
Overmatched as a number one receiver, Williams may now have more valleys than peaks to his 2019 fantasy football season. Antonio Brown was going to ensure that Tyrell lived in single coverage. Now he may see a steady stream of bracket coverage. Sell high if you own shares of Williams, he may be too volatile to trust outside of the Raiders matchups with Kansas City. Still available in 40 percent of Yahoo leagues, Williams is a must-add.
Hunter Renfrow
Renfrow seems to be the big beneficiary from the departure of Antonio Brown. While Brown can win everywhere on the field, he has such sure hands that he sees the volume of a number one with possession receiver skills. Renfrow is now in line for a good portion of those possession receiver targets. Known as ‘third-down and Renfrow’ in college, Hunter made the NFL due to his ability to make tough catches.
With Brown out of town, Renfrow could now be in line for a 100 plus target campaign. With his expected efficiency due to playing a slot receiver role, that could mean upwards of 80 receptions as a rookie. His average depth of target will likely be nothing to get excited about so he may have more value in full PPR formats. View Renfrow as a flex2 with WR3/flex upside. Available in 89 percent of Yahoo leagues, he is someone to add immediately in deeper formats.