Fantasy Football: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 5 Patriots Edition

Uncertainty at quarterback could spell disaster for those who rely on Patriots receivers in fantasy

The fantasy season is well underway, and PatriotMaven is here to help you decide what to do with the Patriots stashed on your roster.

The quarterback situation is still up in the air with Cam Newton waiting further COVID-19 test results, meaning New England’s offense has a lot of question marks heading into its Week 5 matchup with Denver. The Broncos are 1-3, boast the worst offense in the AFC West, and will be visiting Foxboro trying to avoid falling to the Patriots for the third straight time.

The Patriots, even with uncertainty at quarterback, will need to win in order to get back above .500, and their offense that ranks in the bottom-third of the NFL in points per game will need to play a big part in that.

All scores are calculated using half-point PPR, ESPN standard scoring

Start ‘Em: Patriots D/ST

The Patriots’ defense has put up solid, but forgettable fantasy numbers through four weeks this season.

That’s despite playing the two hottest offenses in the league – Seattle and Kansas City – who both boast MVP-caliber quarterbacks and future Hall of Fame head coaches.

In New England’s Week 5 matchup against Denver, that won’t be the case.

Drew Lock is still trying to return from a shoulder injury he suffered over two weeks ago, so if he isn’t ready to go, former undrafted free agent Brett Rypien might have to start again. Rypien turned the ball over three times against the New York Jets on Thursday night last week, and Jeff Driskel hasn’t fared much better in his two appearances either.

Denver tried to build a speed offense in the offseason, and it seems to be a failed experiment thus far. A young, inexperienced team like the Broncos is right in the Patriots’ wheelhouse, especially when a winning record is on the line.

The Broncos’ offense is the third most favorable matchup for opposing fantasy defenses to face so far in 2020, allowing an average of 13.3 fantasy points per game over their last three contests.

Considering how well the New England defense seemed to play against the red-hot Chiefs on Monday, a matchup against the Broncos is a dream come true for fantasy owners this week.

Sit ‘Em: Julian Edelman

Edelman cemented a reputation of reliability over the past decade, if not in fantasy, then on the field.

He doesn’t seem to be able to live up to either in 2020.

Edelman recorded three drops Monday against Kansas City, and he failed to break double digit fantasy points for the second week in a row. Despite racking up 12 targets in those two games, Edelman has just five catches to show for it.

The thought when Newton was ruled out with COVID-19 and when Hoyer was announced as starter was that Edelman would be a solid security blanket for the veteran quarterback. The opposite proved true, and it got even worse when Jarrett Stidham entered the game and threw a pick-six on a pass that sailed straight through Edelman’s hands.

Whether it’s because of his knee injury, a lack of confidence or Tom Brady being out of the picture, Edelman needs to get his head screwed on straight before he’s worth starting at either receiver position in any fantasy league. Thinner and injury-ridden teams can consider him as a flex play, but even then, he could be setting owners up for disappointment.

Start ‘Em: Damien Harris

The role of the running backs heavily depends on Newton’s availability Sunday, but Harris seems to have a nice role carved out for himself regardless.

With Sony Michel on injured reserve, Harris is left to fight Rex Burkhead and James White for snaps. J.J. Taylor did not record a touch against the Chiefs, so it’s safe to assume that Harris’ return means he has been phased out for the time being.

Harris hit the 100-yard mark Monday on just 17 carries, giving him a productive fantasy performance despite zero receptions and no touchdowns. Harris caught 22 passes for 204 yards his senior year at Alabama, and he recorded 23 receiving yards in his preseason performance against Tennessee in 2019.

Preseason history won’t mean much come Sunday, but it is comforting for fantasy owners who are afraid to start a running back who might not get many targets out of the backfield.

Harris’ efficiency and role as the Patriots’ lead ball-carrier – even with some competition from receiving backs – make him worth a gamble at flex spots in Week 5.

Sit ‘Em: N’Keal Harry

Harry has upside as a red zone threat, but lacks the consistency to warrant a look in fantasy this weekend.

In the three games Harry has played against defenses that don’t boast the porous Seahawks secondary, he is averaging 6.2 fantasy points per game. He did not break the 40-yard mark in any of those three games, and he still has just one touchdown to his name through his last seven games, including playoffs.

Harry has the potential to be the AFC’s version of D.K. Metcalf, and he has put that ceiling on display against Seattle and in moments against Kansas City. Still, Harry has never scored more than 12 fantasy points in a single game, meaning he doesn’t have the upside owners would desire out of a boom-or-bust receiver.

The busts have heavily outweighed the booms for Harry so far in his NFL career, and that may continue for the time being. The Broncos secondary has had two games of allowing over 37 fantasy points to receivers – against Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay – but has also kept receivers to under 30 fantasy points and out of the end zone entirely in its other two games – against Tennessee and New York.

With Newton possibly out again and the Patriots offense potentially struggling to finish drives, Harry won’t warrant a start in any fantasy leagues in Week 5.