2012 Team Outlook: New England
QB Tom Brady, --- - Stud (low risk)
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The 2011 season was a great one for QBs. Tom Brady was no exception. The Golden Boy had the 2nd best single season in terms of passing yards with 5235 yards -- sitting only behind Drew Brees' 5,476 yards. The Patriots added Brandon Lloyd to their receiving corps, which will only give Brady another weapon. Look for another big season from Brady and he should be considered a top 5 fantasy QB.
Update 8-11-2012 - Brady has had a good off season, comes into the season healthy and looks to have found another big weapon in Brandon Lloyd. No matter what the scoring system in your league is, Brady is a top 5 fantasy QB; draft him accordingly.
QB Brian Hoyer, --- - Not Draft Worthy
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The Patriots like Brian Hoyer a lot and are very comfortable with him as the backup. Despite that, you shouldn't expect him to see much action this season - unless Brady goes down with an injury. Should that happen and assuming Hoyer gets the nod over Ryan Mallet, don't be shy about adding Hoyer, not at all.
Update 8-11-2012- Hoyer is nothing more than Brady's back up. Not worth drafting
QB Ryan Mallett, --- - Dynasty Only
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At this point, he is nothing more than a 3rd stringer. Then again, the talented Mallett has a chance to move past Brian Hoyer as Tom Brady's primary back up. However, he will most likely have to wait until 2013 - when Hoyer is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent to become that guy. He has all the physical tools to be a good QB down the road if ever given the opportunity.
Update 8-11-2012 - Mixed reviews about how Mallett has looked in camp. No matter which review is right (unless something drastic happens), Mallett wont ever see the playing field in 2012.
RB Brandon Bolden, --- - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
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Update 8-11-2012 - Similar to when the Law firm came out of nowhere to be a part of the Patriots backfield, don't be surprised if you start to hear Brandon Bolden's name mentioned a little more often. There have been rave reviews around Patriots camp about him and if he keeps this up, he might even push Ridley for some playing time.
RB Stevan Ridley, --- - Sleeper (undervalued)
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In his rookie season, Stevan Ridley was used as a change of pace. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis gone, look for Ridley's carries and stats to rise this season. If he ends up taking over the starting job - as of early August, that looks like the deal - you can expect very similar numbers that the Law Firm has put up the last few years. Follow Ridley throughout the summer and training camp and see how he compares with Shane Vereen and the other backs on the roster.
Update 8-11-2012 - Ridley seemed to be winning the battle for lead back vs. co-2nd year man Shane Vereen and got the start in the first pre-season game. While he looked good rushing 8 times for 40 yards, he seemed to have problem with blitz pick-ups, even getting a talking to by Tom Brady. If his lack of blitz pick-ups keeps up, he will lose playing time.
RB Shane Vereen, --- - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)
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Vereen only played in five games as a rookie due to injuries and too many other running backs ahead of him on the depth chart. That should change this season as the Patriots attempt to get him more involved in the offense. Look for him to battle Stevan Ridley for the lead back role, if such a thing truly exists in New Engald. Most likely he won't do enough to be a fantasy starter, as the Patriots often go with the hot hand, but he will definitely be worthy of a roster spot. Depending how things shake out, Veereen might even be a starter down the road.
Update 8-11-2012 - By all accounts Vereen hadn't done anything in camp to bump Ridley out of the #1 spot, and looked more like he was battling veteran Danny Woodhead for the 3rd down role.Then he had a really solid pre-season game, rushing 11 times for 64 yards and catching 2 passes for another 17 yards. If the speedy 2nd year back can keep showing this kind of play, he might not just win the 3rd down job, but might steal playing time from Ridley if he keeps messing up on his blitz pick-up.
RB Danny Woodhead, --- - Low Potential
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You never know with the Patriots, but right now we can pencil in Woodhead as the primary 3rd down back. While he might have a game or two that are worthy of fantasy starts, it will be next to impossible to guess which games those will be. Not really worth drafting at this point.
Update 8-11-2012 - Woodhead is battling 2nd year man Shane Vereen for the 3rd down running back spot. Coach Belichek always likes to have at least one veteran RB on his roster that he can trust when called on. With Faulk and the law firm gone 9and new addition Joseph Addai not even making it to training camp), look for Woodhead's roster spot to be safe.
WR Deion Branch, IND - Low Potential
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Adding Brandon Lloyd and Jabar Gaffney bumps Branch down the depth chart - and maybe right off it.Obviously he's not the same receiver from his Super Bowl MVP days, but his low status stems as much from the lack of opportunity for targets as the level of his declining skills. Unless he somehow turns into the Pats WR3, you can let Branch sit this one out.
Update 8-11-2012 - Branch has missed more than a week of camp and looks to be in a battle with Dante Stallworth for one spot. His familiarity with Brady and the offense might end up giving him a leg in the end, but don't count on him. Watch this battle throughout camp.
WR Jabar Gaffney, --- - Deep-league Only
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Back with the Patriots after signing as free agent, Gaffney turned in a nice little season with the Redskins last year. There, he was high on the passing game food chain. In New England, not so much. Gaffney will have some good fantasy games, but he won't be consistent enough to warrant being a fantasy starter, not with all those weapons at Tom Brady's disposal.
Update 8-11-2012-Gaffney was signed to provide some depth at the receiver spot. Having played for the Patriots in the past might help him make the roster. Unless a few players higher on the depth chart go down with injury, don't expect much in the way of fantasy help from Gaffney.
WR Brandon Lloyd, --- - Solid/Safe Pick
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With Rob Gronkowski injured in the Super Bowl, the Patriots saw that they needed more weapons in the passing game. In comes Brandon Lloyd, who followed offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to New England from their previous stops. Over the past two years (under Mcdaniel's watch), Lloyd has had the best 2 seasons of his none-year NFL career. Lloyd will help the Patriots stretch the field and while he is no Randy Moss, he should put up very solid numbers in 2012.
Update 8-11-2012- Lloyd has looked great in camp and looks like he will get along just fine with his new QB. The Patriots' newest receiver didn't take long to start making impressions as he showed his knowledge of the play book due to his years playing under OC Josh Mcdaniels. Look for Lloyd to have a bounce back season after he dropped off a little last year.
WR Donte' Stallworth, ---
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Update 8-11-2012 - Stallworth's speed has been evident in training camp and that is something the Patriots don't have alot of. He looks to be battling Branch for a roster spot, so watch this battle. Either way, don't expect much from him.
WR Wes Welker, --- - Stud (low risk)
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Plain and Simple, Wes Welker is a stud fantasy receiver. In PPR leagues, Welker is a top 5 fantasy WR and in non PPR leagues he is top 12. The 2011 campaign, stellar, catching 122 receptions and setting career highs in yards (1569) and TDs (9). As long as he is catching passes from Tom Brady, you can expect him to put up similar numbers. Draft as a top WR and don't let any lingering contract banter cloud your vision.
Update 8-11-2012 - Like Brady, not much needs to be said. Welker does what he does and does it well. Welker is a top 10 WR and top 5 in PPR leagues.
TE Rob Gronkowski, --- - Stud (low risk)
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Rob Gronkowski is a pure beast. It seems that guys like him and the Saints' Jimmy Graham are the new wave of Tight Ends-- bigger and stronger than wide receivers and almost as fast, making them very hard to cover. Gronk set all sorts of records last season, including most yards (1327) and most TDs (17) in a single season, to go along with his 90 receptions. Gronk is the #1 TE in fantansy and in leagues where you can use a TE as a WR he is top 10 on that list as well.
Update 8-11-2012- Gronk played in the first pre-season game, proving he is back and ready to play after injuring himself in the playoffs last year. Don't be shy in drafting and enjoy watching the points he will put up for you.
TE Kellen Winslow, --- - Deep-league Only
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The Patriots signed veteran tight end Kellen Winslow following the ankle injury to Aaron Hernandez. The former Bucs and Browns star has name recognition, but limited fantasy value even with the Patriots known for playing two tight ends. Maybe playing for a contender and in a TE-friendly offense lights a fire under K2, but Winslow was on the street for a reason. Unless he suddently starts catching Tom Brady's eye - not to mention passes - just monitor the situation very casually and move on.
PK Stephen Gostkowski, --- - Stud (low risk)
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As long as he is healthy and kicking for the Patriots, Gostkowski will be a top 5 fantasy Kicker. Don't expect much competition for his job, you should feel very safe drafting him.
New England - Solid/Safe Pick
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The Patriots defense was one of the worst in the NFL last season, especially in terms of yards given up. However, despite being at the bottom of the league in yards given up, they were middle of the pack in terms of points given up. While they gave up a lot of yards, they did create a lot of turnovers and had a decent amount of sacks. The Pats spent most of their 2012 draft on picking defensive players, so the unit should be much improved. Depending on how your league gives out points for defense will dictate where the Pats defense should be taken, but defenses should never be drafted until the last few rounds.