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The New England Patriots had a struggling passing game last season. With multiple players out with injuries, Tom Brady had to rely on Julian Edelman and a couple of rookies to get through the season. One of the rookies has made great strides to becoming a Week 1 starter. His name is Aaron Dobson.
The Patriots signed Danny Amendola in hopes to have a younger Wes Welker. Amendola had a history of injury with the St. Louis Rams and nothing changed in 2013. Brady then had to throw to unproven rookie receivers. Kenbrell Thompkins and Dobson did their best, but both players received unpleasant nicknames “Kenbrell Dropkins” and “Aaron Dropson.”
If Dobson can recover from offseason foot surgery and hold onto the ball, then he has a lot of upside as the Patriots No. 2 wide receiver.
He finished with 37 receptions for 519 yards and four touchdowns. He was Brady’s downfield option. Dobson had nearly as many yards after the catch on vertical passes (118) as the rest of New England’s WR corps (160). He led Patriots WRs in vertical receiving yards per game (26.5) and vertical targets per game (3) as a rookie last year.
Dobson, if he wins the starting job, will be the Patriots deep-ball threat. He should be drafted ahead of Amendola, based on no injury history and big-play potential. Dobson is ranked as the 59th-best wide receiver, making him a WR6 in standard, 10-team leagues. He could easily crack the top 40 with Brady at the helm.
Dobson is the perfect sleeper as a part of the underrated Patriots offense.
Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.
