Updated May 30, 2015
Tom Brady, facing a four game suspension will have the NFLPA’s appeal heard on June 23. As it stands, the four game suspension knocks Brady’s fantasy value down a few spots. He moved in our rankings from 7th down to the 12 hole. Needless to say, when he returns from his suspension he’ll remain a QB1 with all the weapons around him. He may indeed be a value play if he drops far enough in drafts. We wouldn’t bank on Jimmy Garoppolo being a suitable fantasy replacement for the first four games, but the position runs extremely deep this year in fantasy and having a 1-2 punch with Brady won’t be too difficult to find. Keep in mind, the Pats have their bye week in Week 4, so you’ll need a replacement with friendly match ups for the initial five weeks, not four.
Tom Brady was able to prove the doubters wrong once again in 2014-2015. I won’t deny that I was one of them. With too many question marks surrounding his age, Gronk’s health and a lack of talented recievers I was sure we would see Brady plummet out of the elite QB conversation. I had Brady in my preseason rankings at QB12, and probably to the surprise of many football fans, he finished as QB11, so technically good call on my part. To give you perspective this puts him behind Ryan Tannehill and Eli Manning.
QB11?? Doesn’t seem too great, does it. But, the infamous turning point of the Pats season was also the turning point of Brady’s fantasy season. The Week 4 disaster in Kansas City had many analysts dismissing Brady from a roster spot, let alone a starting fantasy QB. But anyone who watched any of the Pats games following their meltdown in KC could see that Brady was on another level. If you were smart enough to brush off the “experts” advice, you laughed your way to 10 straight 20+ fantasy point performances (Three 30+), a truly incredible stretch by Tommy Uggs.
Going into next season, Brady will have all the pieces in place that he needs to catapult himself back into a top 5 fantasy QB. Gronkowski, Brady’s greatest receiving asset proved that he could stay healthy for a whole season, skyrocketing the gunslinger’s value. Brandon LaFell was a steal for the Patriots in the off season, posting a 74-953-7 stat line, finishing as the 22nd ranked fantasy wide reciever on the season. Once looked at as a lost cause after the Logan Mankins giveaway, the Patriots offensive line has transformed into a legitimate asset to the team, likely only to develop exponentially through another offseason.
Luckily for the Patriots, Wes Welker decided to leave behind his twin offsprings. Enter Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola. While Amendola will never live up to the 5-year, $31-million contract he signed, he’s an effective option for Brady when healthy, securing 11 balls for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns over the Patriots playoff run. Edelman, on the other hand, has developed into a stud. An improved version of Welker, I might add. He’s quicker, niftier and is Brady’s #1 option on all short throws. Signed through 2017, look for Edelman to be an elite PPR candidate in 2015 as well as a solid WR2 in standard leagues come next Fall.
With the signing of LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots solidified there dynamic backfield, boasting an elite pass catcher in Vereen and a chain-mover in Blount. This combo is bound to keep defenses honest, adding just a bit more value to Brady’s 2015 stock.
To wrap up, Brady returned to elite form this year. With no injury concerns to worry about, Brady will head into next year equipped with a very talented offense. The line will significantly develop to further improve the O and put Brady in a position to chase the elusive 5th Superbowl championship and a championship for many fantasy foosballers.
2015-16 Outcome: QB4 – QB7
Big Dogs Gotta Eat Fantasy Football 