The Julian Edelman ACL injury is a brutal blow to the New England Patriots and keeper-league fantasy football owners of the slot receiver.
Here is what NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said about Edelman’s injury early Saturday morning.
“[The Patriots] do believe it’s a torn ACL with potentially some other damage as well That, of course, would mean he is out for the season,” Rapoport said. “For the Patriots it’s a very serious blow. He’s one of their best receivers, certainly their most productive receiver. Despite the fact that they added Brandin Cooks this offseason, Edelman is a security blanket for Tom Brady.”
It is near certain that Edelman won’t play in 2017, making him undraftable in most formats (although sneaky keeper league owners should scoop him up in the final round).
Here is a stock watch on the Patriots players impacted by the Edelman injury.
Tom Brady: Same. Brady always figures it out and he still has Brandin Cooks and a seemingly healthy Rob Gronkowski. Consider that during Brady’s hottest stretch last season (Oct. 9 – Nov. 27), Edelman did not have one 100-yard receiving game.
Austin Carr: Up. The 23-year-old undrafted rookie from Northwestern looked like a mini-version of Edelman during the preseason. His roster spot was up in the air, but he absolutely should make the team now. He’s good for a late-round flier.
Chris Hogan: Up. Hogan has looked like a beast this preseason after a great first showing with the Pats last season. The difference with Hogan and Edelman is that Hogan has a better nose for the end zone. Look at drafting him around the fourth or fifth round of most leagues.
Rob Gronkowski: Way up. Gronk becomes Brady’s security blanket with Edelman out. He’s worth looking at as a second rounder, possibly even a first.
Danny Amendola: Up. Amendola went undrafted in most leagues last season. He’s a boom or bust player in the Pats offense typically but he’ll many more targets now with Edelman gone. He’s worth a look in the ninth or 10th round of most drafts.
Malcolm Mitchell: Same. Mitchell is stuck behind Brandin Cooks in the Pats offense.
Brandin Cooks: Same. The slot guys and Gronk will see increased looks. Cooks was going to be a big factor anyway. Look to draft Cooks in the fourth or fifth round of most drafts.
