2020 New England Patriots Fantasy Preview | Stats, Rankings, SOS and More

2019 Patriots Stats

Offensive Plays Per Game: 67.9 (T-4th)

Pass Attempts + Sacks: 648 (8th)

Rush Attempts: 447 (9th)

Run/Pass Split: Run 41% | Pass 59%

Unaccounted for Targets: 124

Unaccounted for Carries: 33

Projected Win Total

The Patriots over/under currently sits at 8.5, after they went 12-4 last season. The loss of Brady and lack of production at receiver spell trouble for the Patriots. Add in all of the players to opt out of the season, and Bill Belichick faces an uphill battle.

Patriots Fantasy Strength of Schedule

SOS is measured by calculating the fantasy points allowed by each team’s opponents to determine who has the easiest and most difficult fantasy schedules (rank #1 has the easiest schedule).

QB: 9th

RB: 13th

WR: 16th

TE: 29th

Passing Game

QB: Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham

WR: Julian Edelman, Damiere Byrd, Gunner Olszewski

WR: N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers

TE: Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene

The Patriots lost quarterback Tom Brady in the offseason, but may have found a suitable replacement with Cam Newton. If he can stay healthy, he’ll bring a mobile edge that the QB position in New England hasn’t seen in a while. The wide receiver position outside of Edelman again has question marks, and the Patriots will need N’Keal Harry to be a reliable number two option in his second season. With that being said, however, Cam did love his tight ends at Carolina, so keep an eye on both rookies that top the depth chart at the position.

None of this will matter, if Newton can’t stay healthy. Jarrett Stidham doesn’t seem to be ready to lead a franchise yet. Cam has shown his toughness plenty of times. Often, however, his toughness has gotten the best of him. Playing through injuries is what has caused his minor injuries to become more serious. There are still questions about Cam’s throwing shoulder and if he can consistently launch the deep ball. If he gets injured, or worse, shows he never fully healed from his injuries, this may be a painful season, unlike any other since before the Brady era.

Running Game

RB: Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, Rex Burkhead

2019 OL Run Rank: 9th

The Patriots running game looks to stick the course of their past rushing attacks. Sony Michel will handle most of the carries to start, with Damien Harris unlikely to play Week 1. James White will act as more of their pass catching back. This style has been productive in the past, but if Cam goes down and they need to lean on it, will it be reliable enough to carry the team?

While their running game is good, it doesn’t seem to have the star power that can allow it to be the sole focus of their offense. When Cam is on the field, Belichick will likely use the elusiveness of his backs to find success in option plays as well. This could open up some more opportunities for White, as he is the shiftier back.

---

More Articles

Alvin Kamara vs Dalvin Cook Fantasy ADP Battle

Allen Robinson Fantasy Breakdown

Patrick Mahomes vs Lamar Jackson Fantasy ADP Battle

Why T.Y. Hilton Bounces Back in Fantasy for 2020