NFL Fantasy Football Matchup Cheat Sheet: New England Patriots
In NFL daily fantasy leagues, matchups are important. Pay attention to favorable matchups rather than the overall quality of individual players. It is better to select an above-average offensive player facing poor to average defense than an elite talent facing above-average to elite defense.
Each position is ranked according to one of these four ratings: Elite, Above-average, Average, and Poor.
Offense
QB Tom Brady: Elite
RB Shane Vereen: Above-average
WR1 Aaron Dobson: Average
WR2 Danny Amendola: Average
Slot WR Julian Edelman: Above-average
TE Rob Gronkowski: Elite
O-line: LT Nate Solder, LG Logan Mankins, C Ryan Wendell, RG Dan Connolly, RT Sebastian Vollmer: Above-average
Brady is aging, but he is still an elite option at quarterback. While the two outside receivers at his disposal are just average, he has some serious receiving threats in slot receiver Julian Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski, who is often injured so you may want to take him before he breaks yet again. Vereen is nearly as much as receiver as a running back, so he also benefits from having a quarterback as capable as Brady throwing to him.
Defense
CB1 Darrelle Revis: Elite
CB2 Brandon Browner: Average
Nickel CB Kyle Arrington: Average
Safeties: SS Duron Harmon, FS Devin McCourty: Above-average
Linebackers: WLB Jamie Collins, MLB Jerod Mayo, SLB Don’t’a Hightower: Above-average
D-line: DE Rob Ninkovich, DT Vince Wilfork, DT Dominique Easley, DE Chandler Jones: Above-average
Avoid all WR1s facing New England due to a matchup with the formidable Darrelle Revis, who shares the title of Best Cornerback in the League with Seattle’s Richard Sherman. Although the rest of the cornerback corps is not nearly as great, consider how good free safety Devin McCourty is at coverage before taking WR2s against the Pats. The front 7 is also strong. It is best to avoid any offensive player matched up against New England.
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