Tuesday, August 11, 2020

New England Patriots 2020 Fantasy Football Projections

In addition to viewing our 2020 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2020 fantasy football projections for the New England Patriots.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for all 32 NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS


PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Cam Newton482.1290.53254.221.2111.5760.5278.32.72236.02
While not guaranteed to be the starter, it'd logical to expect the one-time league MVP to win the competition for the starting gig. Newton played only two games in 2019, but he offers plenty of upside if he's healthy and becomes the starter. In his first eight NFL seasons, Newton performed as a top-four fantasy quarterback five times.
Jarrett Stidham111.270.6739.54.612.55.520.90.1145.77
With the Patriots signing Newton, beat reporters haven't ruled out Stidham still beating out his fellow Auburn alum. Even if he wins the quarterback competition this offseason, Stidham won't be much more than a QB streamer in his first season as an NFL starter.

RUNNING BACKS


PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
James White67.12651.6859.4519.84.01112.62
Perennially undervalued in fantasy drafts, it was White, not Sony Michel, that has led the Patriots running backs in fantasy scoring in both of Michel's first two seasons. One of the league's best pass-catching backs, White has more than 70 catches in back-to-back seasons and that trend should continue in 2020.
Sony Michel143557.73.585.4410.1682.31
The last time the Patriots finished outside the top 12 in both scoring and total offense was when Michel was eight years old (2003). With Tom Brady now in Tampa, perhaps the Patriots rely more heavily on the ground game, but Michel's lack of involvement as a receiver make him a TD-or-bust weekly option. Ending the year as the RB28 in half-PPR formats, Michel finished as a weekly top-18 back only twice last year. In addition, Michel, who had May foot surgery, was placed on the active/PUP list and isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1, especially with the Pats signing Lamar Miller as insurance.
Rex Burkhead74.8306.72.2416.6146.10.8763.94
Burkhead averaged a little more than seven touches (7.08) per game and 44.7 scrimmage yards per game last season. When the backfield is at full strength, Burkhead's 2020 usage rate is unlikely to exceed his 2019 rate.
Lamar Miller35.2149.60.886.749.20.2326.54
At a minimum, Miller, who missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL, provides insurance for Michel (foot), who may not be ready for Week 1. More than likely, however, it just adds more uncertainty to a backfield that is often difficult to project.
Damien Harris44171.60.881.914.30.0624.23
A third-round pick in 2019, Harris managed only four carries for 12 yards in two games last season. Even if Michel starts the season on the PUP list (and misses at least the first six games), Harris does not have a ton of upside in New England's crowded backfield.

MORE: New England Patriots 53-man roster projection

WIDE RECEIVERS


PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Julian Edelman86.7949.44.775.531.90.06127.11
Extremely consistent since becoming a prominent part of the Patriots offense in 2013, Edelman had 100 catches for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns on 153 targets last season. It was the third time that Edelman has played a full 16-game slate over that span and the veteran slot receiver has a minimum of 150 targets, 98 catches and 1,056 yards in each of those three seasons. With Tom Brady now in Tampa, however, it's likely that Edelman fails to repeat those numbers even if he manages to play all 16 games in his age-34 season.
N'Keal Harry46.4607.83.944.4330.0487.96
Harry spent the first half of the year on IR and managed just 12/105/2 receiving over seven regular-season games to close the season. The 2019 first-round pick will obviously improve upon his rookie numbers, but it's unclear how quickly he will be able to develop a strong rapport with either the unproven Jarrett Stidham or newcomer Cam Newton.
Mohamed Sanu49526.83.6800074.76
Jakobi Meyers24.1307.31.5700040.15
Damiere Byrd14.2159.81.0700022.4
Gunner Olszewski1.617.60.10002.36

TIGHT ENDS


PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Devin Asiasi28.9329.52.5300048.13
With Matt LaCosse deciding to opt out of the 2020 season, the Patriots have expressed some interest in free agent Delanie Walker. And while rookie tight ends tend to struggle to make a significant impact in their first seasons, both Asiasi and fellow rookie Dalton Keene currently sit atop the depth chart at the position.
Dalton Keene19.4217.31.6500031.63
Ryan Izzo5.658.20.460008.58

More New England Patriots pages:

More of our content: