New England #2 WR (1 Viewer)

[Portis 26]

Presuming that New England don't draft a WR high or acquire another veteran FA, their #2 WR is going to be one of:

a) Troy Brown

b) Reche Caldwell

c) Bethel Johnson

Now, we know that Branch and Watson/Graham are going to catch a lot of balls.

But bear with me. Someone else is going to have to start at WR#2 and be on the field and see a lot of action. Presuming that Johnson doesn't break out and remains strictly an occasional WR, isn't there some major league value to be found in Brown and Caldwell? I mean, Brown caught 100 balls a few years back. I know he's past it, but could he not turn in, say, a 60-70 reception season, particularly since Brady likes to spread it around? And, similarly, does not Caldwell represent potential value? He was really beginning to emerge before his injury - and next season would be the first time he's really fully back from it.

 

[-OZ-]

Presuming that New England don't draft a WR high...

Just my opinion of course, but I won't be making any judgments with that presumption.

 

[aposulli]

Caldwell is the guy but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats draft a WR in the first two rounds.

As for now I'd have Caldwell among the top 60 in dynasty, a top 50 in redraft.

Bump him down if they get a guy like Holmes, Moss or Stovall.

Brown has limited upside just becuase of his size limitations and the fact that he has slowed down with age.

I would agree with you that Bethel probably won't break out. In fact, I'd say he could be cut if they find a couple WRs in the draft or VIA F.A.

 

[bostonfred]

I think Patten's going to be their #2. Maybe #3.

 

[Portis 26]

I think Patten's going to be their #2. Maybe #3.

What, after he's cut by the Redskins?

 

[BassNBrew]

I think Patten's going to be their #2. Maybe #3.

Obviously the only way for Brady to return to championship form.

 

[Bri]

I don't feel like they're done with their player moves at all. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there's a bunch of WRs as likely June 1st (2nd?)cuts and they're targetting them.

I could see them drafting a WR but I have little confidence in rookie WRs contributing right away so not as a #2.

 

[Marino13]

Pointless topic from a Fantasy perspective.... you don't want any of the Patriots WR's including Branch because they are not reliable or consistent. Pats spread the ball around too much and have a running game.. usually. Only Pat worth having is Brady on offense... Dillon, if he gets his head out of you know where..... my 2 cents.

 

[aussiehockeyfan]

Branch is pretty consistent. 5 catches and 80 yards consistent...

 

[AnonymousBob]

Pointless topic from a Fantasy perspective.... you don't want any of the Patriots WR's including Branch because they are not reliable or consistent. Pats spread the ball around too much and have a running game.. usually. Only Pat worth having is Brady on offense... Dillon, if he gets his head out of you know where..... my 2 cents.

Hey, nobody is consistent when compared to the likes of Holt, CJ, etc. But for a #3 wr he's quite good. Ten of his sixteen weeks he delivered at least 7 points (standard scoring). That's far from spectacular but it's relatively solid. He's not a guy I would plug into my lineup week in, week out-but there aren't many guys you can do that with. Bottom line is he finished 25 in ppg (he finished 22 if you're just going by points scored) last year amongst all wr's and they've now lost Givens. I can't imagine he won't finish in the top thirty this year and I think he'll break the top twenty.

Brady has averaged just under 3800 yards over the past four seasons, while tossing 28, 23, 28, 26 td's each of those years. He's a guy who I see no reason won't have another year of 25+td's and nearly four thousand yards. Now the question becomes who is going to catch his passes? Patten? Uhm...nope. Givens? Again, nope. Branch is the number one option in that offense and either he's gonna have a heckuva season or somebody else on that team is going to become extremeley good value. IMO the thing that has held him back has been injuries and NOT Brady's tendency to spread the ball about.

 

[Traders2001]

They dont even have a real #1 WR why are we looking for #2.

 

[SoloMatisse]

Trust any of us whove owned NE receivers in the past.....there is little value in any of their receivers. Branch is NOT a big TD guy and really not even a big yards guy. Brady and that O simply spread the ball around too much for any individual player to have any value no matter where you draft them. The guy led the league in passing yds and didnt have a top 20 receiver. Its unheard of. Draft Brady if you will....or possibly Watson if he poses deemed value at the time....just not any of his WRs...no matter where they fall.

 

[aussiehockeyfan]

As a Branch owner, I disagree. He's always good as a bye-week filler. Just like Dennis Northcutt.

 

[Spike]

Trust any of us whove owned NE receivers in the past.....there is little value in any of their receivers. Branch is NOT a big TD guy and really not even a big yards guy. Brady and that O simply spread the ball around too much for any individual player to have any value no matter where you draft them. The guy led the league in passing yds and didnt have a top 20 receiver. Its unheard of. Draft Brady if you will....or possibly Watson if he poses deemed value at the time....just not any of his WRs...no matter where they fall.

 

[Boston]

Givens had minimal fantasy value as the Pats #2. He's a textbook example of a guy who's far better as a "real" WR than a fantasy WR. Unless the Pats come up with a better player (which is highly unlikely) why should the #2 this year have much value. Look for the Pats to add another WR or two either thru the draft or by adding a veteran. Regardless, I don't see the #2 position having much fantasy impact. The Pats will continue to spread the ball around. If there was ever a year for the Pats WRs to make a big fantasy impact it was last year. After Branch and Givens they had very little. Add in an injured defense for a good slice of the year and it was probably the best fantasy situation you'll ever see for a NE WR. Yet, big numbers still didn't occur. I don't see that changing too much...especially if Big Ben turns into the TE we think he can be.

 

[bostonfred]

I think Patten's going to be their #2. Maybe #3.

What, after he's cut by the Redskins?

Yes, on or after June 1. The Redskins have Moss, Randel El and Lloyd now. Patten's a cap casualty, and the market for him will probably be cooler than it was for Owens, Moulds, etc.

 

[bostonfred]

Trust any of us whove owned NE receivers in the past.....there is little value in any of their receivers. Branch is NOT a big TD guy and really not even a big yards guy. Brady and that O simply spread the ball around too much for any individual player to have any value no matter where you draft them. The guy led the league in passing yds and didnt have a top 20 receiver. Its unheard of. Draft Brady if you will....or possibly Watson if he poses deemed value at the time....just not any of his WRs...no matter where they fall.

This was true early in Branch's career and when the Pats had complementary receivers around him. But each year, Branch has improved on a PPG basis, putting up about 80 catches for 1000 yards and 5 TDs last year. The injuries are still a concern, but as the main option in that offense, he should get significantly more looks this year. The Patriots appear to be committed to developing a relationship between Brady and Branch for the long haul, and in his contract year, I think Branch is going to be pretty committed, too. I expect a significant improvement in his numbers this year, making him a viable every week starter unless he gets injured.

 

[Bob Henry]

I don't think their roster is set by any stretch.. However, assuming things stay mostly the same, I would venture to guess that their #1a and #1b options in the passing game will be Branch (again) and Ben Watson.

Troy Brown is solid and dependable, but hardly consistent.. which applies to generally every Patriots WR and TE given their system and ability to game plan from week to week depending on their opponent's strengths and weaknesses.

Caldwell, if he can stay healthy, will have some big games and more than his share of bad games I'd have to believe - given the Patriots tendencies to spread the ball as others (like SoloMatisse) have opined.

I'd be shocked if they don't add at least a WR on day one of the draft..

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Pointless topic from a Fantasy perspective.... you don't want any of the Patriots WR's including Branch because they are not reliable or consistent. Pats spread the ball around too much and have a running game.. usually. Only Pat worth having is Brady on offense... Dillon, if he gets his head out of you know where..... my 2 cents.

You're going to have guys like Branch in your starting lineup on a regular basis if you play in leagues that start 3 WRs.

 

[AB in DC]

I think Patten's going to be their #2. Maybe #3.

What, after he's cut by the Redskins?

Yes, on or after June 1. The Redskins have Moss, Randel El and Lloyd now. Patten's a cap casualty, and the market for him will probably be cooler than it was for Owens, Moulds, etc.

The Skins haven't even cut Taylor Jacobs yet, and he's worthless.I think they will keep Patten as a #4 WR.

 

[Marino13]

Pointless topic from a Fantasy perspective.... you don't want any of the Patriots WR's including Branch because they are not reliable or consistent. Pats spread the ball around too much and have a running game.. usually. Only Pat worth having is Brady on offense... Dillon, if he gets his head out of you know where..... my 2 cents.

You're going to have guys like Branch in your starting lineup on a regular basis if you play in leagues that start 3 WRs.

Not if you have a good team...