Name: Julian Edelman
Team: New England Patriots
Position: Wide Receiver
Years Pro: 4
Draft stock: (Stagnant) Due to his smaller frame and defensive back prowess, many fantasy football owners would see drafting Edelman as a complete joke. However, the Patriots are rather depleted this year and Edelman is one of the few New England wide receivers who is familiar with Tom Brady and the team’s offense.
2012 fantasy impact: Edelman had a career year for the Pats in 2012 as he hauled in three receiving touchdowns and had a punt return touchdown for the third straight season! Nonetheless, the Patriots’ slot wide receiver position was always occupied by Wes Welker thus keeping Edelman on the bench quite a bit.
Best-case scenario: New England has so many new faces on the offense that Edelman emerges as Brady’s security blanket now that Welker is out of town, Aaron Hernandez is incarcerated and Rob Gronkowski is on the physically unable to perform list.
Worst-case scenario: Even with a surplus of offensive weapons out of action, the Patriots don’t look Edelman’s way because of the four-year pro’s inability to get open on a consistent basis.
Where you should draft him: Still looking to break out of Welker’s shadow, Edelman is a sneaky pick around the 15th round considering the upheaval in Foxborough.
Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
