At first glance, it's Julian Edelman. Guy only has 89 career receptions in five seasons. Last season he went 21/235/3. Nothing to get excited about at all. So why even give him a second glance? Well, this is 2013, and this is definitely a different New England squad. Wes Welker gone. Aaron Hernandez gone. Brandon Lloyd gone. Deon Branch gone. Danny Woodhead gone. Rob Gronkowski hurt. That's a bunch of subtraction. So what are the additions? Danny Amendola and a bunch of rookie WRs and TEs. Somebody is gonna put up numbers in this offense as long as Tom Brady is still behind center. That's for certain. So why do I think Julian Edelman can be that guy? I'm glad you asked.First of all, he's the only guy left who has any comfort level with Brady. Granted, he hasn't been the target of a ton of passes in his career, but he's been on the field in this offense the longest. That counts for something. But didn't they bring in Danny Amendola to replace Welker and his production? Maybe they did, but I don't care. Amendola can't stay healthy. Period. And guess what? He's injured again. Out up to six weeks a groin injury. So I'm not even factoring him into the equation. And do you really think an undrafted rookie like Kenbrell Thompkins is going to be Brady's top target? No way. Or Aaron Dobson? He may have went to Marshall, but he ain't no Randy Moss. Another no way. This is simple math. Brady is gonna throw, and the only guy currently healthy who has any history with his QB is Edelman.
Secondly, Edelman did well week one. Nine targets for a 7/79/2 slash line. It's apparent that Brady will look for him, including in the redzone. If the lack of competition for targets isn't compelling enough, then his week one production should be. So I'm sold.
In addition though, I think this guy is pretty good. Is it really any surprise that he didn't get many targets the past few years when Wes Welker was ahead of him on the depth chart? Hell, Edelman has four return Tds in his career. He appears to have good hands. I see no reason why he couldn't develop into a Welker type in this offense. Is that too hard to comprehend? I don't think so. I'm getting him.
So, long story short, I add Edelman and drop Ryan Broyles. This to me seems like a major upgrade. A guy who will at least demand a spot at my flex position for a guy who was a complete gamble coming off of reconstructive knee surgery. Winner!I immediately plug Edelman into my flex position for his Thursday night game against the Jets. And basically what I just said above is exactly how things played out. The rookie WRs for the Pats looked, well, like rookies. I know the weather was kinda bad, but my man Edelman got his. Eighteen targets. That's right. The number 18. Thirteen receptions. Granted, most of his action was underneath, but isn't that where you would expect it to be? He was obviously, and this cannot be understated, the ONLY player on the field that his QB trusted. I honestly just don't see how Edelman doesn't get targeted in double digits each week. And that is going to lead to production. I know that Gronk will get his when he returns, probably next week, but guess what? I got him too. Bingo!
This is the kind of acquisition that separates the good teams from the bottom feeders. Best case scenario, I got last year's Wes Welker production off the waiver wire. That's a major upgrade to my WR corp, especially with my top three of Fitzgerald, White and Shorts all hurting. Worst case, Edelman goes back to returning punts and riding the bench. In which case it cost me Ryan Broyles. Whoopdedamndoo. I make that trade any day of the week.
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