New England Patriots fantasy preview

Warren Sharp’s Strength of Schedule: Warren Sharp projects the Patriots to face the overall easiest schedule of 2019. Specifically, their face the 2nd-easiest slate of both overall defenses and pass-defenses. The brilliant and analytically-driven Bill Belichick should have no problem guiding the Patriots to a 1st Round playoff bye.

Must Draft

Josh Gordon is a locked-in high-end WR2. His splits without Gronk in the lineup last year are excellent. There’s room enough for both he and Julian Edelman to eat in this receiving corps. Edelman is a high-floor WR2 with WR1 upside in PPR.

After concerns-aplenty all offseason, Sony Michel hammered opposing run-defenses in last weeks preseason game. Questions remain about his passing game usage, but his scoring upside is crystal clear. He’s the lead back in one of the NFL’s best offenses. Draft him as an high-end RB2.

James White continues to produce at an elite air-back level. The pass catcher finished as the RB11—in standard scoring league—last year.

Good values

Damien Harris’ RB53 ADP is perfect for a late round flyer. He won’t be a factor early in the season given his inability to take preseason meaningful reps while nursing a “hand/wrist injury”.

Monitor

Draft Rob Gronkowski with you your final pick in the draft—punt on a kicker for now. He’s tipping the scales at 245lbs and reports adequate conditioning. No, he won’t come back as a tight end. A situational pass catcher who can bury CBs and LBs alike with tight end eligibility.

Tight end Matt LaCosse’s potential high-ankle sprain is bad news for him but perhaps good news for Gronk.

Tom Brady is prophetically being drafted as the QB12. He’s rock-solid but lacks upside. Perhaps pair him with someone like Lamar Jackson or Kyler Murray.

Phillip Dorsett is a low-ceiling option.

Avoid

Although he outperformed banged-up 1st Round NFL Draft Pick N’Keal Harry, Bill Belichick says Jakobi Meyers still has a “long way to go”.