Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
New England Patriots quarterback has been a disappointment to fantasy owners this season, as he has managed to compile just 1,480 yards and 8 TDs in his first six games. Those 8 touchdowns tie Brady for 13th in the NFL with Matt Schaub and Andy Dalton, among others. He ranks 19th in the league in pass yards per game, behind players like Carson Palmer and Geno Smith. Needless to say, this is not what owners expected from Brady.
Of course, his lack of production is little fault of his own. Most of his top receivers from last year are either injured or no longer with the team, and the young replacements haven’t lived up to that standard. Kenbrell Thompkins, Aaron Dobson and Julian Edelman all rank in the top 5 in the NFL in drops, and Danny Amendola has been in and out of the lineup with injuries.
Related: Rob Gronkowski: Fantasy Football Wild Card
However, things are about to get much better for Brady. Rob Gronkowski has been cleared to return Sunday against the New York Jets, and his presence will be a huge boost to Brady’s value. Gronk is Brady’s favorite target, and he gives the Patriots the red zone threat they have been lacking all season.
Gronk also gives Brady a player who can get open down the seams and win jump balls, and he will draw attention away from other receivers. He brings an entirely new element to the offense that the Patriots have been missing, and Brady will be the biggest benefactor of his return. Gronk may take a week or two to round into form, but he will be targeted heavily by Brady for the remainder of the season.
Now is your last chance to buy low on Brady, because it won’t be long before he returns to his status as one of fantasy’s elite QBs. Gronkowski’s return is exactly what Brady needed, and patient owners will now get their reward.
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