Brandon Tate (1 Viewer)

[vandelyons]

I'm interested in getting the forum's thoughts on Patriot's rookie WR Brandon Tate. The Pats' personnel director reportedly said Tate may find his way on to the active roster in the coming weeks, seeing time primarily on special teams.

This guy has a ton of talent. He was the #1 WR at North Carolina until tearing up his knee (ahead of Hakeem Nicks). I believe he is also the all time NCAA leader in return yardage.

He's in a great situation, potentially benefitting from some savvy veteran WRs in Moss, Galloway and Welker - not to mention an all-world QB. But he definitely won't pay dividends this year.

I can't imagine he's rostered in huge number of dyanasty leagues. However, he's the kind of hidden gem that could reward patient owners in 2010 and beyond.

Thoughts?

 

[JAA]

... calling EBF

 

[munchkin]

... calling EBF

You might want to post this on F&L's Dynasty thread. EBF, SSOG and others give up some pretty solid opinions.Tate is coming into a difficult offensive system so his effectiveness will depnd on his ability to digest the playbook. Galloway is having problems getting the system which is part of the reason he was inactive last week. With Aiken and Edelman, who is a Welker understudy, the only other WR's on the roster there is room for him on the outside even if it is in a limited capacity. If he gains Brady's trust he could do something late in the year. He also could help in kickoff returns as Maroney is struggling and some of the other hopefuls, Butler and Chung, have not stepped up. He can come off PUP after next week and likely won't see the field until after the team's bye week.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

:dotonegro:

 

[Adebisi]

... calling EBF

You might want to post this on F&L's Dynasty thread. EBF, SSOG and others give up some pretty solid opinions.Tate is coming into a difficult offensive system so his effectiveness will depnd on his ability to digest the playbook. Galloway is having problems getting the system which is part of the reason he was inactive last week. With Aiken and Edelman, who is a Welker understudy, the only other WR's on the roster there is room for him on the outside even if it is in a limited capacity. If he gains Brady's trust he could do something late in the year. He also could help in kickoff returns as Maroney is struggling and some of the other hopefuls, Butler and Chung, have not stepped up. He can come off PUP after next week and likely won't see the field until after the team's bye week.

I think his ceiling would be as the 4th WR on the field until at least 2011.

 

[big0mar]

Wouldn't surprise me to see him put up 2007-Stallworth-esque numbers

 

[jurb26]

Tate has all the talent and physical tools to become a very good NFL WR. He was a better WR prospect than Nicks IMO. More explosive and quicker in and out of his cuts. His situation is a difficult one to predict though. As mentioned earlier, NE has a very complex offense and no rookie would be expected to contribute quickly in it if you ask me. Also factor in the recovery time from his knee injury and the learning curve may be much longer for Tate. Tate is a guy who I would stash if I could and not really expect much until mid season 2010 at the earliest.

 

[EBF]

I like him. He reminds me of Derrick Mason, Deion Branch, and Donald Driver. Doesn't have great size or elite speed, but has the quickness and athleticism to excel. I think he's a nice guy to stash on your bench in dynasty leagues. People say the situation is bad. I disagree. Randy Moss is 32 and Wes Welker is a system player (like a better version of Stokley when he was on the Colts). The Patriots don't have a legit long term WR on their roster right now unless you think Edelman is for real. If Tate impresses then he could easily be a starter 2 years from now.

Don't expect much in the short term though. He was drafted as much for his return abilities as his receiving skills and I suspect that his early contributions will mostly be limited to special teams. Don't bother with him if you aren't patient. He's probably not going to help you for a while, but I think in the long run he has a chance to become a quality WR2-WR3 for FF teams.

There are some good highlights here:

 

[SSOG]

I can't imagine he's rostered in huge number of dyanasty leagues.

He is in mine. I wound up picking him up as a free agent transaction before the season. Shortly thereafter, I noticed that fleaflicker was reporting that he was on IR, so I stashed him on our IR. The resident Patriots homer noticed and informed me that he was really on the NFI list, secretly hoping that I'd drop him rather than clear a roster space for him... but I wasn't falling for it. Tate's currently sitting on my roster patiently awaiting October 18th so I can either see what he has or put him back on IR.I'm a fan of his talent, and my league also rewards punt return yardage the same as receiving yardage, which means a guy like DeSean or Hester who can get a significant offensive role while retaining punt return duties winds up being a strong fantasy asset. Like EBF said, there are few long-term obstacles standing between him and a starting job in New England, which makes him a very solid gamble in my book. And, like I said... if your league has an IR, grab him now and it's very possible that two weeks from now he won't even take up a roster space.

 

[David Yudkin]

Could be something. Could be nothing. Hard to tell at this point.

The Pats also thought Bethel Johnson and Chad Jackson would be the next big thing.

As long as Welker and Moss are around anyone else's upside is pretty limited in the short term.