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Antonio Brown released, signs with Patriots: Fantasy context

By Raju Byfield

GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 15: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during a NFL preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals on August 15, 2019 at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Az. (Photo by Kevin French/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 15: Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) during a NFL preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and the Arizona Cardinals on August 15, 2019 at State Farm Stadium, in Glendale, Az. (Photo by Kevin French/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) on the bench during a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on August 29, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 29: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) on the bench during a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants on August 29, 2019, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Fantasy Football Winners and Losers of Antonio Brown to Patriots

Julian Edelman

Edelman had a 25.7 percent target share in 2018 and should push to crack the 25 percent barrier once again this season. Antonio Brown limits his reception upside but ensures that the middle of the field will be clean with opposing defenses forced to worry about finding a way to cover both Brown and Josh Gordon on the outside.

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Luckily for Edelman owners, his weekly floor remains the same. Due to the projected volume, he is still an upside WR2, but is no longer someone we can expect to push for WR1 numbers. Edelman should still muster six to seven receptions per game with a handful of touchdowns. His floor is five and change receptions per contest. A WR1 in per-game numbers in 2018, he is still someone to trust on a weekly basis.

Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon now looks more like a WR3 candidate than someone who can push for elite WR2 numbers. Antonio Brown is going to command over 25 percent of Tom Brady’s targets which means Gordon will now be third in the target pecking order. Gordon can still have a massive season feasting in single coverage but is now more of a hit or miss option than the potential stud some had envisioned for the talented receiver. Gordon may be a better overall talent than Antonio Brown but he has never been as dedicated to his craft.

A 1,000-yard season with seven-plus touchdowns may still be in the offing for the troubled wide receiver. He has proven chemistry with Brady and already knows the Patriots system. With that said, he may be someone you want to try to package after he has a big game or two. His weekly floor is now that of a flex2 which is a far cry from the WR3 floor he possessed before the Brown signing.

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