Who is Brian Tyms?
In the midst of the free agent frenzy, many of the candidates to be featured in this series are finding their place on the depth chart can change in an instant. For example, Luke Willson is now looking up at Jimmy Graham and is now droppable in dynasty leagues. On the other hand, as a result of the same transaction Josh Hill’s value is skyrocketing despite the likelihood that the Saints bring in competition at the tight end position. Another player whose stock is dependent upon the status of other players on the depth chart is Brian Tyms, recently re-signed by the Patriots. With intriguing talent but little opportunity to date, is Tyms a player whose value could be on the rise?
Following two years at Tallahassee Community College, Tyms attended Florida A&M University (FAU). Though he caught seven passes for 123 yards and a touchdown as a junior in 2011, he finally broke out in his final collegiate season with 38 receptions for 538 yards and three touchdowns. In two seasons, Tyms averaged a solid 14.7 yards per reception, albeit in a small sample size. He displayed reliable hands and a strong catch radius, using his size and athleticism to regularly win jump balls.
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Without an invite to the NFL Combine, Tyms put on a respectable showing at FAU’s Pro Day. He ran a 4.48 40-yard dash, which would have placed him fifteenth at the Combine. He also recorded what would have been top ten placements at wide receiver in the 3-Cone Drill (6.86 seconds), Bench Reps (nineteen), Vertical Jump (39.5 inches, which would have been fourth) and the Broad Jump (a second place finish with 10’10”). Noteworthy is that he was officially measured at 6’011” and 203 pounds, whereas he is frequently referenced at 6’3”.
At the end of the day, his on-field production and Pro Day results did not stand out from the crowd, and he was not among the 33 wide receivers selected in the 2012 NFL Draft. Following the draft, signed with San Francisco and spent the full preseason battling for a roster spot before being one of the final cuts in camp. In September 2012, Miami signed him off the 49ers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster and was on the sidelines for the Dolphins’ final game of the season, though he did not see any time on the field. He was released prior to the start of the 2013 season.
In October, the always wide receiver-needy Browns signed Tyms to their practice squad and activated him in early December. Through the end of the season, he caught two passes for twelve yards and the team declined to retain him going into the 2014 preseason. Though he had been cut by three teams in two seasons, none of which were by any means overloaded with receiving talent, the Patriots chose to sign him in July.
Tyms caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in his first preseason game, and with a strong preseason was told by coaches that he would be activated to the 53-man roster following his league-imposed four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Bill Belichick followed through and activated Tyms to the roster on October 6, and six days later he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 43-yard pass from Tom Brady. This was the highlight of his regular season, however, as he would only go on to catch four more passes for 39 yards.
Prior to the March 10 season turnover, the Patriots declined to make Tyms a qualifying offer and thus he became a free agent. However, the sides quickly chose to reunite and ensured he would return to (at the very least) battle for a roster spot in 2015.
Although we know how quickly things can change at this time of year, the Patriots’ 2015 wide receiver depth chart (at least at the top) currently projects to look very similar to its 2014 version. The only addition to date has been former St. Louis and Miami receiver Brandon Gibson on a one-year contract. Starters Julian Edelman, with three years remaining on his contract, and Brandon LaFell (two years) are signed at least through 2016 and the Patriots just restructured Danny Amendola’s contract to keep him on the roster as well. Matthew Slater is a free agent, as is Greg Orton, though neither would be a factor on the offense even if re-signed. Aaron Dobson remains a wild card with two years left on his contract, but the Patriots have soured on him and his roster spot is not guaranteed. Josh Boyce, Jonathan Krause and the recently signed Kevin Dorsey round out the wide receiver corps but are more than likely to be cut before meaningful games begin.
While the Patriots will likely select a wide receiver in the first two days of the draft, there are a couple roster spots up for grabs from this crowd. Assuming LaFell, Edelman and Amendola are locks, the Patriots’ preference to roster six wide receivers in addition to Slater (an All-Pro on special teams but wide receiver in title only) indicates there may be up to three openings. Since-departed Kenbrell Thompkins, Dobson and Tyms filled these spots in 2014. Should the Patriots draft a wide receiver, Tyms will likely be challenging Dobson and Gibson for two spots.
An obstacle for Tyms to win a roster spot may be the same reason he was left off the Super Bowl roster; a lack of versatility on special teams, which Belichick is known to covet. Historically, the inability to be an asset on special teams generally does not bode well for Patriots’ low-end running backs and wide receivers.
Despite his limitations the 26-year-old Tyms has shown excellent hands and athleticism, prompting New England to keep him for roster depth. As the fourth or fifth player in the wide receiver pecking order, however, Tyms will need to take a big step forward on offense and/or special teams to stay on the roster long-term.
For now, he’s dynasty waiver wire material pending a realistic opportunity for meaningful snaps.
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