Mohamed Sanu to the New England Patriots: Fantasy Context

Tom Brady

Tom Brady was able to coast through the first seven games of the schedule but has much tougher tests ahead which will likely require him to pass the ball more. Sanu gives him a second reliable possession receiver and excellent cover for the disappointing Josh Gordon. Expect to see a lot of pre-snap motion from both Julian Edleman and Mohamed Sanu as the Patriots look to exploit matchups and coverage. Brady remains locked in as a QB1 who now possesses a higher weekly floor.

Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman should see his slot snap percentage increase with Mohamed Sanu in town, a move that will be a positive one for his fantasy outlook. Edelman will remain an elite WR2 who could slide into WR1 territory with the right matchup. Currently the WR16 with a 25.1 percent target share, Edelman should see a reduction in targets when the receiver corps is healthy. Edelman remains an every week starter in season long leagues, but now looks like a single entry fade in GPP DFS tournaments.

Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon has been a major disappointment for the New England Patriots and fantasy owners alike this season. He is currently dealing with knee and ankle injuries that kept him sidelined for Week 7. Gordon now projects as a low end WR3 with matchup based WR2 upside. Those in redraft leagues may want to look to dangle Gordon in trade talks for an upgrade at the position.

Phillip Dorsett

Phillip Dorsett has been solid for the Patriots this season, but may be pushed out of three wide receiver sets when Josh Gordon is healthy. He could see his role further reduced when and if rookie N’Keal Harry returns to the team. Currently the WR32 on the season, Dorsett will drop to deep league flex3 territory. He should remain one of the league leaders from a yards per target standpoint, but is probably best viewed as an upside bye week filler or injury replacement.

Jakobi Meyers

Jakobi Meyers appears to be one of the biggest losers of this trade acquisition as he has seen 121 of his 183 snaps come out of the slot this season. He has the versatility to play both inside and out, but is now the healthy scratch candidate he was to start the season once Josh Gordon and N’Keal Harry return from their injuries. Meyers has hauled in all nine of his targets over the last two weeks, but does not possess the blocking prowess of Sanu. It is distinctly possible that the Patriots run more four wide receiver sets with Sanu in town, but Meyers still projects as the odd man out of the lineup when the Patriots receivers are healthy.

James White/Sony Michel/Rex Burkhead

Currently the RB24 on the season, James White should see a reduction from the 6.2 receptions per game he has seen thus far in 2019. White now has a lower weekly floor and should be considered more of a full PPR RB2 with matchup based RB2 upside in other formats. Sony Michel will likely see less targets in the passing game with Sanu in town, but will see his carry count unaffected. Michel remains a weekly RB2 consideration. Rex Burkhead is destined to see a reduction in his role, as the Patriots will no longer be leaning on him to handle receiving volume in the absence of a strong wide receiver room. Burkhead remains upside bench depth with matchup based upside.