Fantasy Football: Free Tom Brady Implications

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Brady Stock --Up!-- Brady is obviously a better fantasy player with 4 more games in him. Brady's been going about the off season like he was going to play week 1 all along so there's no catch-up needed we can hope the offense is firing on all cylinders week 1. While the pats have looked bad in preseason games, they've been doing it without Gronk or their starting receivers. Expect the offense to look improved against a horrid Steelers defense week 1, then a horrid Jaguars defense week 2. By then a rhythm should be found and Edelman definitely back and we'll see what Angry Brady and Co. accomplish this fantasy season.

Gronks Stock --Even--
but realistically up, however the Hype was too high around him to draft him any higher (not just you Maggie). Gronk is coming into the season Healthy for the first time in... ever? Well a long time, and I believe it's the primary reason Belichick held him out all preseason. They want to start the season with Gronk at full speed and see if he can't recapture that 2011 domination. Even if he can't? He'll still be the #1 TE by a wide margin, but if he's near 2011 form he'll be a top 5 Fantasy scorer regardless of position and that will truly justify those high draft picks. 

Edelman Stock --Up!--
Edelman benefits from having Brady for 4 games he wasn't going to have him, he's now on target for 100 receptions and 1000 yards, still not going to see a lot of TDs unless the pats bring back the Seattle gameplan. Edelman managed 92 receptions on 135 targets and 10 carried for 98 yards in 14 games last season. 

LaFell Stock --Up!-- LaFell benefits the most from Brady being back those 4 games, can't trust Jimmy to get the ball out to him on the sidelines or for the QB to call his novice QB to throw to the teams #1 Corners. WIth Brady back he's got a good chance to progress in year 2 of the offense. I wouldnt put 100-1000-10 out of his reach!

Amendola Stock --Up!-- Honestly Amendola's stock is tied more to the health of players around him, but Brady playing is a boon for his receivers. If Edelman can't play week 1, Amendola has a chance for 10 receptions and is a great WR3 with WR2 upside in PPR leagues. If you're buying Amendola you're hoping that the Rhythm the Pats found in the post season continues into this season. Brady finally seemed comfortable throwing to Amendola and he saw more targets a game than he did all regular season as the WR3.

Schandler Stock --Up!-- Brady lead offense will find the redzone more which means Schandler should see more chances for TDs. Heavily TD reliant to be a fantasy contributor. This could change if the Patriots unveil a heavy usage of the 2 TE sets, but typically any role player in the pats offense will see heavy use one week and then be ignored for an undetermined amount of time.

Blount Stock --Up!--

While Blount projected to see more work with Brady sidelined for 3 of his games, the offense wasn't going to find the redzone as often and a lot of Blounts value with the Pats is that he's averaging a TD a game with them. Blount's value is also mostly tied up in TDs but he's proven them to be reliable with the Pats. Word in the preseason is Blount has looked slimmer and faster than at any previous time. Perhaps we'll have a 2003 Corey Dillon on our hands?

Gray Stock--WHO THE FUCK KNOWS-- If Gray ever sees the field I expect him to be a Lynch style back... nothing, nothing.. nothing... oh shit 30 yards... nothing... nothing... TD! A sneaky week 1 play for teams in need of a week 1 RB, this isn't the Steelers of old. That said until Gray wins the starting position, his value is tied to Blount's health.  

Brandin Bolden --Up!-- No one drafted him!?! He's the third down back yall! The pats like him, Brady trusts him, and he's the only damn one that can pass block. He'll be hot on the waiver wire once the Pats roll him out and throw him a few passes. He's no Vereen so he's probably not worth rostering but some of you are RB hungry.