Deion Branch (1 Viewer)

[3nOut]

I have recently been able to acquire Deion Branch through an injury move when Dez Bryant went down. With New England playing as well as they are, I am trying to gauge the value of Branch going into my FF playoffs. Several sites including FBGs have him ranked as a WR2 or higher for week 15 but I am a bit hesitant to pull the tigger and put him in my starting lineup. My other WRs are also WR2 and have gotten me this far, but are being ranked lower than Branch. WRs I have surprisingly seen ranked lower than Branch this week include Ward, Colston, Holmes, MAclin, TB Mike, Boldin, Garcon, Collie, L Moore, and Wallace among others.

I wouldn't consider him a stud but you can't deny his production the last three weeks. I'm also torn on his upcoming schedule with GB this week (but I like the BUF matchup for week 16). I really had no intention playing him when I picked him up, it was more of a simple roster move and a defensive move to keep other teams from grabbing him. What are other Branch owners doing? Are you starting with confidence this week? Thoughts?

 

[az_prof]

In PPR he has been very reliable--14 or more points five weeks in a row. I am starting him with confidence although if you want specific advice about your roster you should ask in Asst Coach forum.

 

[3nOut]

In PPR he has been very reliable--14 or more points five weeks in a row. I am starting him with confidence although if you want specific advice about your roster you should ask in Asst Coach forum.

Not really asking about my roster or I would have mentioned my alternatives. Just looking for opinions on Branch in a non-ppr league so i can make an informed decision. Anyone else have any thoughts on Branch?

 

[QuizGuy66]

Treat him as what he is which is basically a #1 WR on a winning team. (Welker also is a #1 on a winning team). The dropoff from Moss to him is pretty much nonexistent at this point.

-QG

 

[sjacksonfan]

Beast?

 

[3nOut]

Treat him as what he is which is basically a #1 WR on a winning team. (Welker also is a #1 on a winning team). The dropoff from Moss to him is pretty much nonexistent at this point.

-QG

Interesting. CBS says the following:

Continue to view Branch as no worse than a No. 3 Fantasy WR heading into Week 15 against the Packers.

Thats a huge difference. Not saying you are wrong, just showing the discrepency.

 

[tonyftony716]

This interests me as well. Branch is available on our waiver wire tonight and although I have depth at WR his production dictates that he should be considered a start. I haven't picked him up till this point because i'm just anticipating the drop off and it hasn't happened yet.

 

[3nOut]

Just looked into this a little deeper and it seems there might be hesitation among other CBS owners as well. Per CBS, Branch is owned in 92% of their leagues with only 56% of owners starting him. Not sure what this means. Either Branch owners are stacked at WR or they aren't ready to play him.

In the meantime, FBGs has him as a higher WR2 this week (using my league's scoring system).

 

[todisco1]

Just looked into this a little deeper and it seems there might be hesitation among other CBS owners as well. Per CBS, Branch is owned in 92% of their leagues with only 56% of owners starting him. Not sure what this means. Either Branch owners are stacked at WR or they aren't ready to play him. In the meantime, FBGs has him as a higher WR2 this week (using my league's scoring system).

I think his history of being a mediocre fantasy WR at best is what the hesitation is with starting him. He's done very well this year but historically he's been nothing special, so some may not feel comfortable plugging him in. I'm playing him in two leagues over guys like Crabtree, Harvin and Braylon Edwards.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Treat him as what he is which is basically a #1 WR on a winning team. (Welker also is a #1 on a winning team). The dropoff from Moss to him is pretty much nonexistent at this point.

-QG

Interesting. CBS says the following:

Continue to view Branch as no worse than a No. 3 Fantasy WR heading into Week 15 against the Packers.

Thats a huge difference. Not saying you are wrong, just showing the discrepency.

Didn't say #1 fantasy receiver. But his role in NE is comparable to an NFL #1 receiver. That said, the numbers he's put up of late give lie to what CBS says.-QG

 

[David Yudkin]

In one of my PPR leagues, Branch has ranked as the WR16 since coming back to the Pats based on PPG. In the past 5 weeks, he ranks 4th.

 

[3nOut]

Just looked into this a little deeper and it seems there might be hesitation among other CBS owners as well. Per CBS, Branch is owned in 92% of their leagues with only 56% of owners starting him. Not sure what this means. Either Branch owners are stacked at WR or they aren't ready to play him. In the meantime, FBGs has him as a higher WR2 this week (using my league's scoring system).

I think his history of being a mediocre fantasy WR at best is what the hesitation is with starting him. He's done very well this year but historically he's been nothing special, so some may not feel comfortable plugging him in. I'm playing him in two leagues over guys like Crabtree, Harvin and Braylon Edwards.

I agree. That's exactly the problem. Do you trust him enough to start in your playoffs (semi finals for many)? And in your situation I would not hesitate to start him over any of the receivers you mentioned. The issue is starting hi over the ones I listed in my original post that would arguably provide better stats week 15 than Branch.

 

[zeus]

Branch has been playing lights out because Brady has been on fire. He is scoring Td's catching balls and getting targets on a weekly basis. There will be lots of three and outs with Flynn at QB which means the patriots will score points. I am sitting Bolding and Vincent Jackson for him this week

 

[Ballstein]

I don't know how you could sit him right now. Brady is on fire..I'm starting welker and branch, over TO and M.Wallace this week.

 

[az_prof]

Just looked into this a little deeper and it seems there might be hesitation among other CBS owners as well. Per CBS, Branch is owned in 92% of their leagues with only 56% of owners starting him. Not sure what this means. Either Branch owners are stacked at WR or they aren't ready to play him. In the meantime, FBGs has him as a higher WR2 this week (using my league's scoring system).

Packers Pass D is pretty good but Branch has been very consistent. In PPR I like him to get at least 5 for 50 yards (low end). In TD heavy leagues I could see sitting him as I could imagine NE really emphasizing the run.Edit to add: I really wouldn't put ANY weight in what CBS says or what other owners do. That's a good way to be....average. It wouldn't help you win my league that's for sure.

 

[Zaphod]

Just looked into this a little deeper and it seems there might be hesitation among other CBS owners as well. Per CBS, Branch is owned in 92% of their leagues with only 56% of owners starting him. Not sure what this means. Either Branch owners are stacked at WR or they aren't ready to play him. In the meantime, FBGs has him as a higher WR2 this week (using my league's scoring system).

I think his history of being a mediocre fantasy WR at best is what the hesitation is with starting him. He's done very well this year but historically he's been nothing special, so some may not feel comfortable plugging him in. I'm playing him in two leagues over guys like Crabtree, Harvin and Braylon Edwards.

I agree. That's exactly the problem. Do you trust him enough to start in your playoffs (semi finals for many)? And in your situation I would not hesitate to start him over any of the receivers you mentioned. The issue is starting hi over the ones I listed in my original post that would arguably provide better stats week 15 than Branch.

He has 28 receptions on 40 targets over the past five weeks. I wouldn't listen to CBS and don't make things more difficult than necessary. I would have to be pretty stacked at the WR position to not start the phoenix.

 

[menobrown]

I'd view him as a legit high #2 fantasy WR who is not quite a #1 but real close.

Besides the fact he's been producing at a high rate if you examine his game to game production you see the only games he failed to produce were when he hurt his hamstring and played but was not 100%. When healthy he's pretty much put up double digit fantasy games every week.

 

[QuizGuy66]

He's questionable and was limited in practice. But since this is the Patriots there's no telling what that really means. Could be a terminal case of hang-nail.

-QG

 

[David Yudkin]

He's questionable and was limited in practice. But since this is the Patriots there's no telling what that really means. Could be a terminal case of hang-nail.-QG

There are no official designations until the end of the day on Friday, so he's not questionable at the moment. I suspect he will be listed as probable.

 

[Warpig]

How does everyone view his dynasty value? I picked him up earlier in the year on the extreme cheap for 1 year and I will have the option of franchising him or extending him. Do you think he can play well with Brady for atleast another year or two?

 

[dharmapunk]

I don't know how you could sit him right now. Brady is on fire..I'm starting welker and branch, over TO and M.Wallace this week.

Same here. I'm starting Branch over T.O. for my first playoff game. T.O. helped me to the best record in my league, but he's falling off with injury and late season blues while the entire New England offense is doing historic work. They obliterated two of the best defenses in the NFL, and Branch put up good PPR numbers in each game. You think GB is going to stop Brady? Please. Be smart and ride any NE player you have to victory. Next week against Buffalo will be even better.

 

[dharmapunk]

How does everyone view his dynasty value? I picked him up earlier in the year on the extreme cheap for 1 year and I will have the option of franchising him or extending him. Do you think he can play well with Brady for atleast another year or two?

I'd view him as a one year wonder for a few reasons -1. He'll be 32 next year. 2. He's a product of a hot NE team, not dominating due to overwhelming talent. He's never put up great fantasy numbers until now.3. Who knows what will happen in NE next year? The entire landscape could change. They could bring in a free agent WR or draft someone with the idea of replacing Moss in the long term. Either are likely in my opinion. Branch is a stopgap - a very good stopgap, but a stopgap. He is not a long term solution at WR #1.

 

[Billy Bats]

I have recently been able to acquire Deion Branch through an injury move when Dez Bryant went down. With New England playing as well as they are, I am trying to gauge the value of Branch going into my FF playoffs. Several sites including FBGs have him ranked as a WR2 or higher for week 15 but I am a bit hesitant to pull the tigger and put him in my starting lineup. My other WRs are also WR2 and have gotten me this far, but are being ranked lower than Branch. WRs I have surprisingly seen ranked lower than Branch this week include Ward, Colston, Holmes, MAclin, TB Mike, Boldin, Garcon, Collie, L Moore, and Wallace among others. I wouldn't consider him a stud but you can't deny his production the last three weeks. I'm also torn on his upcoming schedule with GB this week (but I like the BUF matchup for week 16). I really had no intention playing him when I picked him up, it was more of a simple roster move and a defensive move to keep other teams from grabbing him. What are other Branch owners doing? Are you starting with confidence this week? Thoughts?

He went 8/151/1 against Chicago in a blizzard. Brady has been in the shotgun on first down up 38-3 and 36-7 in the fourth quarter the last two weeks. He's hot, the team is hot, start him in all formats. I am.

 

[az_prof]

How does everyone view his dynasty value? I picked him up earlier in the year on the extreme cheap for 1 year and I will have the option of franchising him or extending him. Do you think he can play well with Brady for atleast another year or two?

I'd view him as a one year wonder for a few reasons -1. He'll be 32 next year. 2. He's a product of a hot NE team, not dominating due to overwhelming talent. He's never put up great fantasy numbers until now.3. Who knows what will happen in NE next year? The entire landscape could change. They could bring in a free agent WR or draft someone with the idea of replacing Moss in the long term. Either are likely in my opinion. Branch is a stopgap - a very good stopgap, but a stopgap. He is not a long term solution at WR #1.

He's definitely a sell high in dynasty. It wouldn't surprise me if he is a one year wonder as the poster above argues; but, it wouldn't surprise me if he one or two more solid years as a WR2/WR3. But there is risk and I would expect NE to draft or go after a FA to create competition at WR.

 

[SwagsooHigh]

He's been in my line-up since week 11 and staying there. I've been really happy with the way he's been ballin.

 

[3nOut]

Branch really disappointed last week. So where do we rank him this week against Buffalo? WR1 WR2? Flex? Bench?

 

[Billy Bats]

Branch really disappointed last week. So where do we rank him this week against Buffalo? WR1 WR2? Flex? Bench?

Left bench. Sitting him agaisnt Buffalo's 7th ranked pass d and starting SMoss against the 27th ranked pass d.

 

[az_prof]

Branch really disappointed last week. So where do we rank him this week against Buffalo? WR1 WR2? Flex? Bench?

I would say a low end WR2. I am starting him. The guy had his first week that wasn't double digits in I don't know how long and people are ready to kick him to the curb? Buffalo's passing game has been pretty strong so this could turn into a passing contest with both teams scoring a lot.

 

[parrot]

Bench, in favor of Tampa Mike and Bowe. Already having the Law Firm and Gronkowski in my lineup figures into the decision.