Dynasty Capsule: New England Patriots

As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.

We start our path through the NFL with the New England Patriots.

After a slow opening quarter of the season bookended by lopsided losses to the Dolphins and Chiefs, many were questioning if the window had closed on the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady-led dynasty. All the Patriots did from that point on was win 10 of their final 12 regular season games, clinch the AFC’s number-one seed and punch their ticket to Super Bowl XLIX with a convincing win over Indianapolis in the conference championship. Whether or not Foxborough’s finest will conclude the season with another “deflating” loss remains to be seen, but for fantasy purposes Belichick’s boys once again provided us with plenty to talk about.

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Quarterbacks

Tom Brady

As I alluded to above, Brady’s first four games were the stuff of nightmares. During that time frame he averaged a paltry 197.8 yards and one touchdown per game, while also turning the ball over twice. Calculated out, the venerable signal caller could only be counted on for a pitiful 11.4 fantasy points per game, a figure which would have ranked as 40^th best amongst quarterbacks by average.

Since that point Brady returned to form, and including the playoffs (while also excluding a week 17 tilt with Buffalo where he only played half the game) he’s averaged 295 yards and 2.7 touchdowns per game, while only being intercepted nine times. This breaks down to 21.9 fantasy points per game, nearly double his early season output and a total that would’ve ranked him as fantasy QB3 on the year. Given his recent contract extension and meticulous work ethic, I have no reservations slotting Brady in as my 12^th ranked dynasty quarterback.

Jimmy Garoppolo

Brady’s poor opening to the season had fans and analysts alike clamoring for “Jimmy the Greek” to get some run. As can be discerned from the above, however, Brady put to bed the notion that his backup should get a shot, and on the season Garoppolo attempted a mere 27 passes.   Should Brady’s contract stand, he won’t be a free agent until 2018, the same year as Garoppolo, meaning it’s entirely possible he could be the next New England backup to get his start for a different team. I currently rank him as my dynasty QB33, and only view him as roster-able in deeper formats.

Running Backs

Shane Vereen

Vereen, an impending free agent, was the Patriots’ top fantasy ball carrier on the season, checking in as the PPR RB20. Though he actually led the team in carries, he truly made his hay through the air, chipping in 52 receptions for 447 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, predicting his usage was a total crapshoot, and taking into the account the regular season and playoffs Vereen only exceeded 12 touches six times. I have Vereen ranked as my dynasty RB20, but will bump him down if he stays with the Pats.

LeGarrette Blount

After being released by the Steelers, Blount returned to New England in late November and signed a two-year contract. In the seven games since he’s posted double-digit carries five times, and was the bell-cow in that Pats’ AFC Championship victory. Belichick obviously trusts the guy, and as such he’s not a terrible short-term option for the cost. I currently have him ranked as my dynasty RB40.

Jonas Gray

Oh, what could have been if he woke up on time? Following an epic four-touchdown game versus the Colts and a subsequent oversleeping incident, Gray has been mothballed in favor of Blount, exceeding six carries only once. In fact, though he led the team in rushing, nearly half of his yards came in that one game. As he’s only 24 he has a bit more long-term appeal than his fellow power-back, but I wouldn’t be investing much in that possibility – he’s presently ranked as my dynasty RB67.

Stevan Ridley

Already having a down year by his standards, Ridley’s season was punctuated by a week six ACL tear. More likely than not his time at Gillette Stadium is over, and he could find a tough market given his injury, as well as the deep incoming class of rookie ball carriers. Regardless, he’ll only be 26 at the start of the 2015 season and has proven RB2-level ability in a fantasy setting. I’d be looking to buy on the cheap, and rank Ridley as my dynasty RB24.

Branden Bolden

Bolden is a core special teamer and little else.

James White

The 2014 fourth round rookie was a training camp darling who failed to impress in preseason action, and was subsequently devoid of regular season relevance. He offers adequate size (5’10”, 206 pounds) and average physical traits, and never proved an ability to carry the load in college. Should Vereen leave, many will plug White in as the next man up, and I’d choose to sell on that hype if possible – I have him ranked as my dynasty RB71.

Wide Receivers

Julian Edelman

One of the most underrated receivers in the game in my opinion, Edelman put forward mid-range PPR WR2 numbers despite missing two games on the year. Even with those absences Edelman led the team in targets, while also chipping in an additional 94 yards and a touchdown on the ground, to go with 299 punt return yards and one more all-purpose score. He’s accumulated 25 more targets in the postseason, further establishing his place in the passing game pecking order. Only 28 and signed through 2017, I have no hesitance in ranking Edelman as my dynasty WR25. He might not be the flashiest player, but offers a nearly unmatched fantasy floor.

Brandon LaFell

LaFell was relative revelation during his first year in New England, nearly surpassing 1,000 receiving yards while leading the receiving corps with seven touchdowns. All told this resulted in a finish slightly behind his compatriot Edelman as a low-end PPR WR2, likely surpassing the expectations of nearly every fantasy aficionado. LaFell easily lapped his younger counterparts, and is signed cheaply for two more years. Given what he was able to show in 2014 I view him as a nice buy candidate, and rank him as my dynasty WR45.

Danny Amendola

After getting hurt during the 2013 season, Amendola was essentially “Pipp’d” by Edelman and never emerged as “Wes Welker 2.0.” Frustratingly brittle and showing little dynamic, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Amendola released, as his contract no longer contains any guaranteed money. Currently ranked as my dynasty WR89, I view him as little more than a roster clogger.

Brian Tyms and Aaron Dobson

A pair of young, size/speed freaks who have yet to emerge in any discernible fashion. After playing reasonably well as a 2013 rookie, Dobson’s off-season foot injury lingered longer then expected, at which point the sophomore mystifyingly mouthed off to coordinator Josh McDaniels and was subsequently extricated from the game plan before getting hurt again and landing on IR. Following an early-season suspension Tyms entered as the occasional deep threat, scoring once but failing to sustain any sort of momentum. It’s likely a horserace between the two for fantasy viability, as both are stuck well behind Edelman and LaFell – with that said, they’re not bad lottery tickets given the price. I have Dobson ranked as my dynasty WR72 and Tyms as my WR85.

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski

After tearing his ACL at the conclusion of the 2013 regular season, it was anyone’s guess as to how the seemingly perpetually injured Gronk would return. Following a slow start to the season, the massive tight end silenced any doubters by putting together the second-best season of his young career. More importantly, he stayed healthy while playing a full complement of snaps.

While there was some pre-season debate as to whether it was Gronkowski or Jimmy Graham who should be bestowed with the honor of “top dynasty tight end,” the polls have closed and Gronk is your winner in decisive fashion. He possesses an unnatural blend of catch ability and open-field prowess, while remaining the game’s preeminent red zone threat. He’s ranked as my dynasty TE1, a full tier above any of his positional counterparts.

Tim Wright

Following a midsummer trade from the Bucs, expectations were fairly high for the second-year tight end. Though Wright showed good scoring ability (six touchdowns on only 33 targets), his production was intermittent and unpredictable, and he’s essentially been phased out of the postseason game plan. Small for the position (6’4”, 220 pounds), Wright is more of an oversized receiver, and simply does too many of the same things as LaFell. He remains a fine stash and is ranked as my dynasty TE32, but as of now there isn’t much of a reason for excitement.

Michal Hoomanawanui

“Hoo-Man” is little more than a blocker and occasional gadget player, and there’s really no reason to have him on your roster.

Follow me on Twitter @EDH_27

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Eric Hardter

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Eric is a Boston College chemistry grad school survivor with a minor in dynasty football. He prefers to utilize both statistics and sarcasm whenever possible, believes in process over results and thinks "Hot Takes" are the scourge of the fantasy landscape.

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