Fantasy Football News & Views
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QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news | FBG News Blogger Archive
Patriots | New England meets with two FAs Fri Aug 7, 05:20 PM
Free-agent TE Jordan Leggett (Buccaneers) and DT Darius Kilgo (Lions) recently met with the New England Patriots.
Link to storyJordan Leggett player page
Patriots | Cam Newton proclaims self healthy Fri Aug 7, 12:35 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton on Friday, Aug. 7, declared himself fully ready for training camp. 'At this particular time, I'm full go,' Newton said in a video conference call.
Link to storyCam Newton player page
Patriots | Jarrett Stidham eager for competition Fri Aug 7, 12:20 PM
New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham on Friday, Aug. 7, said it's 'been a wild ride this offseason ... I'm happy to get rolling.' He also added that he's looking forward to the 'competition' with QBs Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer.
| Footballguys view: Stidham has the advantage of having a year experience in Josh McDaniels' system over Cam Newton, but a healthy Newton should have no trouble pulling away from him. Newton's ADP is still a little depressed with the uncertainty of a quarterback battle, but that should be resolved once padded practices start. |
Jarrett Stidham player page
Patriots | Isaiah Zuber back with Pats Wed Aug 5, 05:20 PM
Free-agent WR Isaiah Zuber (Patriots) signed an undisclosed contract with the New England Patriots Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Link to story Patriots | Joe Thuney open to playing RT Wed Aug 5, 01:21 PM
New England Patriots OG Joe Thuney said he would be willing to move to right tackle this season if needed.
Link to story Patriots | Mohamed Sanu activated Tue Aug 4, 05:06 PM
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu (undisclosed) passed his physical and was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday, Aug. 4, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Sanu is looking for a bounce-back season after struggling to impress while banged up during his Patriots debut in 2019. With QB Cam Newton tossing him the rock, Sanu could have some deep flex appeal for Fantasy GMs this year. |
Mohamed Sanu player page
Patriots | Pats interested in Delanie Walker Mon Aug 3, 11:05 AM
Free-agent TE Delanie Walker (Titans) has received interest from the New England Patriots.
| Footballguys view: We could see Walker latching on with a team like the Patriots. The veteran may not be the player he used to be, but he could provide veteran depth for a young tight end room like the Patriots have. They've got two rookies (Devin Asiasi, Dalton Keene) who are competing in camp to establish a pecking order this season. |
Delanie Walker player page
Patriots | Brandon King on PUP list Sun Aug 2, 05:01 PM
New England Patriots CB Brandon King (undisclosed) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Sunday, Aug. 2, according to a source.
Link to storyBrandon King player page
Patriots | Mohamed Sanu placed on PUP list Sun Aug 2, 04:57 PM
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu (undisclosed) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Sunday, Aug. 2, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Sanu shed his walking boot in May, so this is more of a procedural move than anything. Reports indicate there is little chance that he would miss time when the season kicks off. Sanu is looking to bounce back after an injury-marred 2019 debut with the Patriots. We like him as a late-round add for wide receiver depth (and upside) in PPR leagues. |
Mohamed Sanu player page
Patriots | PUP list for Sony Michel Sun Aug 2, 04:56 PM
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel (foot) was placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list Sunday, Aug. 2, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: This is a situation that Fantasy GMs need to keep an eye on. Michel is on the PUP list now because there is a possibility that he'll need to be on the PUP list at the start of the regular season. He had foot surgery in May and has been on the road to recovery since then. Damien Harris would get a larger opportunity if Michel was limited or had to miss time in 2020. |
Sony Michel player page
Patriots | Isaiah Zuber meets with NE Sat Aug 1, 04:56 PM
Free-agent WR Isaiah Zuber (Patriots) recently met with the New England Patriots.
| Footballguys view: Zuber was solid in college at Kansas State, catching around 50 passes for his final two seasons there. As a redshirt senior, he transferred to Mississippi State in 2019 and failed to make much of an impact (only 14 catches) coming off hip surgery. We'll see if he signs with the Patriots as a camp body/long-shot to make the 53-man roster. |
Patriots | Marqise Lee opting out Sat Aug 1, 11:11 AM
New England Patriots WR Marqise Lee has opted out of the 2020 season, according to a league source.
| Footballguys view: Another Patriots player choosing to opt out, although Lee was going to be hard pressed to make the 53-man roster. His one-year contract will toll into 2021. |
Marqise Lee player page
Patriots | Brian Lewerke officially back in tow Thu Jul 30, 05:45 PM
Updating a previous story, free-agent QB Brian Lewerke (Patriots) officially re-signed with the New England Patriots Thursday, July 30. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
| Footballguys view: Lewerke is a camp arm for the Patriots. He put up a lot of yards at Michigan State but does not seem like he's bound for NFL success based on his skill set. We'll see if he can impress enough behind Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham to perhaps earn a spot on the practice squad. |
Patriots | Brian Lewerke expected to rejoin team Thu Jul 30, 01:55 PM
Free-agent QB Brian Lewerke (Patriots) is expected to re-sign with the New England Patriots, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Lewerke is a camp arm and that's about it. The Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent after the draft but then released him to get the roster down to 80 spots. At most, Lewerke is aiming for a spot on the practice squad in 2020. |
Patriots | Three Pats on reserve list Tue Jul 28, 06:34 PM
Updating previous stories, New England Patriots RB Brandon Bolden, OT Marcus Cannon and FB Danny Vitale were all placed on the Reserve/Opt-Out list Tuesday, July 28.
Link to storyBrandon Bolden player page
Patriots | Will Hastings back in the mix Tue Jul 28, 06:05 PM
Free-agent WR Will Hastings (Patriots) signed with the New England Patriots Tuesday, July 28.
| Footballguys view: Hastings is an undersized prospect out of Auburn. He has decent straight-line speed but lacks the suddenness needed to run those 'jerk' routes Patriots receivers are known for. We doubt he makes the 53-man roster. |
Patriots | Patrick Chung adds to growing list of Pats opting out Tue Jul 28, 12:06 PM
New England Patriots SS Patrick Chung will opt out of the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns.
| Footballguys view: Chung is an expectant father and did not want to take any chances. The Patriots have quite a few players opting out so far, including three key players like Chung, OT Marcus Cannon and LB Dont'a Hightower. |
Patrick Chung player page
Patriots | Brandon Bolden won't play Tue Jul 28, 10:47 AM
New England Patriots RB Brandon Bolden has opted out for the 2020 season.
| Footballguys view: Bolden has been with the Patriots for most of his eight-year career. He is a reserve runner and special teams player. |
Brandon Bolden player page
Patriots | Dont'a Hightower to sit out season Tue Jul 28, 09:14 AM
New England Patriots LB Dont'a Hightower opted out of the 2020 season. Hightower became a first-time father on July 16. His mother also has Type 2 diabetes.
| Footballguys view: Hightower is unlikely to get the 'high risk' stipend as his opt-out is considered voluntary. The Patriots will miss the veteran linebacker who excels on the field, especially in run defense. Replacing Hightower will be no easy task. |
Dont'a Hightower player page
Patriots | Marcus Cannon opts to sit out season Tue Jul 28, 12:42 AM
New England Patriots OT Marcus Cannon intends to sit out the 2020 season due to concern over playing during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald. Cannon - a non-Hodgkins' lymphoma survivor - is expected to be the third Patriot to opt-out of the season, joining FB Danny Vitale and OG Najee Toran.
| Footballguys view: Cannon will likely receive the 'high risk' stipend as a cancer survivor. A 15-game starter for the Patriots in 2019, missing Cannon on the field is going to sting. |
Patriots | Sony Michel may not be ready for practice Mon Jul 27, 07:51 PM
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel's (foot) status for the start of training camp is uncertain at this point, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Michel had foot surgery in May and the team is likely to ease him into action at training camp. He's productive when healthy but injuries have prevented Michel from playing up to his potential. This situation could open the door for second-year pro Damien Harris, a player who did not find his way to the field much as a rookie in 2019. |
Sony Michel player page
Patriots | New England releases nine players Sun Jul 26, 02:45 PM
New England Patriots QB J'Mar Smith, QB Brian Lewerke, WR Isaiah Zuber, WR Sean Riley, WR Will Hastings, LB Kyahva Tezino, DT Courtney Wallace, S Adarius Pickett and S Malik Gant were released Sunday, July 26, according to a source.
| Footballguys view: Hastings was Jarrett Stidham's slot receiver at Auburn. Lewerke could still end up on a practice squad somewhere but the Patriots didn't feel the need to carry another quarterback into camp after signing Cam Newton. They got down to 80 so they can avoid split squad work. |
Patriots | Lenzy Pipkins cut Sat Jul 25, 05:48 PM
New England Patriots CB Lenzy Pipkins was released Saturday, July 25.
Link to story Patriots | Julian Edelman catches passes from Cam Newton Wed Jul 22, 02:55 PM
New England Patriots WR Julian Edelman participated in a throwing session with QB Cam Newton that Newton posted on his Instagram account Wednesday, July 22.
| Footballguys view: Edelman should be a favorite target of Newton in 2020. The veteran has a current ADP of WR30 (6.12) in 12-team PPR leagues. |
Julian Edelman player page
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Mohamed Sanu going the extra mile Sun Jul 19, 10:27 PM
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu hired a full-time coach to live with him this offseason in a quest to improve his game, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss.
| Footballguys view: Sanu is coming back from ankle surgery to correct an injury that slowed him while he was with the Patriots last year. He might not create fantasy relevance of his own, but if he is productive, then it will be tougher for Julian Edelman to remain an everyweek fantasy starter without Tom Brady. |
Mohamed Sanu player page
Patriots | Jarrett Stidham out with teammates Sun Jul 19, 01:15 PM
New England Patriots QBs Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer have been working out with teammates this past week. WR Mohamed Sanu, WR Gunner Olszewski, RB Damien Harris and TE Dalton Keene were among the players participating in the workouts.
| Footballguys view: Cam Newton was working out with Patriots free agent signing Damiere Byrd, who was his teammate in Carolina, and last week worked out with Sanu and 2019 first-round pick N'keal Harry. Stidham has a longer tenure with the team, and his familiarity with the offense and roster will be his best bet to win the starting job over Newton. |
Brian Hoyer player page
Mohamed Sanu player page
Jarrett Stidham player page
Damien Harris player page
Patriots | Dalton Keene present at workouts Thu Jul 16, 06:42 PM
New England Patriots TE Dalton Keene was seen at workouts with QBs Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer, WRs Mohamed Sanu and Gunner Olszewski, C David Andrews and FB Jakob Johnson Wednesday, July 15.
| Footballguys view: Keene is the athletic h-back/move tight end in the rookie combo that Bill Belichick moved up to get in the draft this year. Devin Asiasi is the inline tight end, but he has the higher ceiling as a receiver and went earlier in the draft, making him the more attractive dynasty rookie draft target. Belichick appears to want to get back to two tight end sets as a staple in due time. |
Patriots | Sources still think Jarrett Stidham starts Thu Jul 16, 06:36 PM
New England Patriots QB Jarrett Stidham is still believed to be in line for the Week 1 start by several members of the organization, according to talk radio host Scott Zolak Monday, July 13. 'I believe Jarrett is going to be the starter from the people that I talk to, the people that I trust: the players, people tied to the team, team captains,' Zolak said. 'The way they speak of Jarrett Stidham and the work he has put in.'
| Footballguys view: There's no way this can be set in stone until the Patriots see Stidham and Cam Newton up close. It's understandable to put out a public message of support for Stidham and maintaining a sense of believing in him sustains the chances of him being the quarterback of the future, even if he isn't the quarterback of the present, but a rational coach would pick a healthy Newton over Stidham entering his second year in the league every time. |
Jarrett Stidham player page
Patriots | Mohamed Sanu working with Jarrett Stidham Tue Jul 14, 04:44 PM
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu shared a video of himself working out with QB Jarrett Stidham Monday, July 13.
| Footballguys view: Sanu should be a bigger part of the Patriots pass offense after having an ankle issue that hampered him last year surgically repaired this offseason. He'll probably hurt the ceiling of Julian Edelman more than he'll establish fantasy relevance for himself. |
Mohamed Sanu player page
Patriots | Sony Michel out of boot Sun Jul 12, 12:22 PM
New England Patriots RB Sony Michel (foot) is no longer wearing a walking boot on his surgically repaired foot.
| Footballguys view: Michel is getting healthy in time to have the best chance of holding off Damien Harris, but the reality is that he is likely to yield at least some work to Harris. Michel isn't going to be an everyweek fantasy starter this year and has nowhere to go but down. |
Sony Michel player page
Patriots | NE reaches settlement with Antonio Brown Sat Jul 11, 03:36 PM
Free-agent WR Antonio Brown (Patriots) reached a settlement with the New England Patriots regarding the compensation grievance Brown filed against the team.
| Footballguys view: The team will get four million dollars back from Brown and 2.55 million back from Aaron Hernandez's estate to put them at 7.79 million dollars in cap room. It's possible that they could make a move with the newfound flexibility. |
Antonio Brown player page
Patriots | N'Keal Harry getting reps with Cam Newton Thu Jul 9, 06:38 PM
New England Patriots WR N'Keal Harry was filmed running routes with QB Cam Newton Wednesday, July 8.
| Footballguys view: That's exactly what you want to hear if you are counting on Harry in a dynasty league. Newton has experience getting the most out of Kelvin Benjamin, who was a contested catch receiver like Harry. |
Cam Newton player page
N'Keal Harry player page
Patriots | Former exec confident Cam Newton starts Thu Jul 9, 06:33 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton will win the starting competition against QBs Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer in training camp, according to former Patriots executive vice president Michael Lombardi Thursday, July 9. 'Watching Cam Newton throw and move, there is no doubt he will win the starting job,' Lombardi tweeted.
| Footballguys view: Lombardi is right. The only way Newton will lose out to Stidham is if he gets injured in training camp. Consider him a low QB1 even though the league seemed to move on from him earlier this offseason. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Full details on Cam Newton's contract Thu Jul 9, 12:53 PM
Updating previous reports, New England Patriots QB Cam Newton can earn $7.5 million next year if he hits all the incentives and wins the Super Bowl. He has a $1.05 million base salary, which $550,000 is guaranteed. He can earn $43,750 per game in roster bonuses, up to $700,000. He can earn a maximum of $3.75 million in playing-time incentives with $500,000 in Pro Bowl and All-Pro bonuses. He can earn a maximum of $1 million from $250,000 bonuses for each playoff win with above 50 percent playing time.
| Footballguys view: All of those numbers sound like huge bargains for a starting quarterback. The Patriots took advantage of Newton finding little interest because of his recent slew of injuries. If Newton returns to form this year, the Patriots could recoup a third-round compensatory pick if he leaves in free agency in 2021. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Cam Newton's deal official Wed Jul 8, 05:42 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton officially signed his contract with the Patriots Wednesday, July 8. Official terms of the contract were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Newton gets his fresh start with the Patriots and will now compete for the starting job. His primary competition will be second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham. If Newton is healthy after spending most of 2019 on Injured Reserve, then the former MVP should have no trouble winning the top spot. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Rex Burkhead unlikely to be cut? Tue Jul 7, 06:26 PM
Updating a previous story, New England Patriots RB Rex Burkhead will 'almost certainly play the final year of his three-year contract' after agreeing to restructure his deal and create just shy of $1 million in cap space Tuesday, July 7, according to Sean T. McGuire of NESN.com.
| Footballguys view: That's why guys restructure their contracts. Burkhead reworked his deal and his role will remain nearly the same with the team. He's the no.3 back (at best) behind Sony Michel and James White. |
Rex Burkhead player page
Patriots | Rex Burkhead restructures Tue Jul 7, 10:37 AM
New England Patriots RB Rex Burkhead restructured his contract Tuesday, July 7. He received a $550,000 signing bonus and lowered his base salary from $2.5 million to $1.05 million. He can earn $400,000 in roster bonuses, which was reduced from $500,000. The move created $981,250 in salary cap space.
| Footballguys view: Burkhead likely had to do this to help his chances of making the 53-man roster. He'll serve as a do-everything back who is battling for the no.3 spot on the depth chart behind Sony Michel and James White. |
Rex Burkhead player page
Patriots | Brian Hoyer not long for New England again? Sun Jul 5, 06:22 PM
New England Patriots QB Brian Hoyer finds himself in an 'interesting spot' following the addition of Cam Newton, and ESPN's Mike Reiss suggests he could be the odd man out if Newton is healthy and Jarrett Stidham shows well in training camp.
| Footballguys view: Hoyer is there for veteran depth which now they might not need. Newton could win the starting job and if Stidham impresses then he could be the backup again. If Stidham somehow wins the job, then Newton could be there for veteran depth. |
Brian Hoyer player page
Patriots | Bigger role for Damien Harris? Sat Jul 4, 09:17 PM
New England Patriots RB Damien Harris has a 'great future' with the team, according to running backs coach Ivan Fears, and Mike Reiss of ESPN.com believes Harris 'is a good bet to take a significant leap in 2020.'
| Footballguys view: Harris should have a larger role this year, but how much will that role be worth? The addition of Cam Newton brightens the outlook of this offense, but Harris is just a late round flier at best. It's not crazy to take him ahead of Sony Michel if Michel opens camp on the PUP list after offseason foot surgery. |
Damien Harris player page
Patriots | New England optimistic in Cam Newton's health Sat Jul 4, 03:46 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton is in town to complete his physical Saturday, July 4 - a process that will reportedly take a few days to complete - but the team is 'confident in his condition' and 'no issues at all are anticipated on his physical,' according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
| Footballguys view: Newton missed most of the 2019 season with a foot injury he suffered in the preseason (against the Patriots). They'll be taking a look at that, but also his shoulder injury that has been an issue during his career. With almost a full year off to get healthy, Newton could look like his old self with his new team. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | More on Cam Newton's deal Thu Jul 2, 10:41 AM
Updating previous reports, New England Patriots QB Cam Newton's deal guarantees him $550,000 with a $1.05 million base salary. He can earn $700,000 in per-game roster bonuses and another $5.75 million in incentives. He can earn a maximum of $7.5 million.
| Footballguys view: The Patriots have very little financial commitment to Newton, so they are risking almost nothing if his body broken. If he is healthy, he should be the heavy favorite to start with a solid chance to get back into the fantasy QB1 ranks. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Cam Newton could be tagged for 2021 Wed Jul 1, 01:57 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton could be hit with the franchise tag following the 2020 season, as there's no provision in his one-year contract preventing the Patriots from doing so, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports was told.
| Footballguys view: The Patriots have a lot of different options with Newton. If they lose him after one season they'll get a third-round compensatory pick for him. If they franchise tag him it would give them at least right of refusal on Newton if some team wants to pluck him from the roster. The tag would also give the team more time to work out a new contract in 2021 if they wanted to. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Rival expects Pats to keep three QBs Wed Jul 1, 12:15 PM
An unnamed AFC East head coach told Dianna Russini of ESPN he expects the New England Patriots to keep three quarterbacks for the 2020 season and 'use Cam Newton perhaps as the wild card.' The coach said he doesn't expect Newton to start Week 1 in the offense and knows 'for a fact the Patriots love Jarrett Stidham.'
Link to storyCam Newton player page
Jarrett Stidham player page
Patriots | Cam Newton not guaranteed starting job Tue Jun 30, 04:56 PM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton was not guaranteed the starting job, according to a source Monday, June 29. The job will go to the best quarterback in training camp and the competition will include Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer.
| Footballguys view: That sounds about right. Newton is the most talented quarterback on the roster, by far, if he's healthy. Stidham had first-round tools at Auburn but a poor senior season caused him to fall to the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft. Hoyer is a journeyman veteran with plenty of starting experience but little upside. The Patriots will likely go with Newton as it should be clear he's the best option in training camp. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Cam Newton drew rave review Mon Jun 29, 11:30 AM
New England Patriots QB Cam Newton's former offensive coordinator, Norv Turner, told Patriots head coach Bill Belichick that Newton was a great fit. 'My whole deal is, when Cam was healthy, and we were there with him [in 2018], we were 6-2,' Turner said. 'His issue was more health than anything else, and from what I understand, I don't think these are health issues that he can't overcome. He's had the time off now. I think he'll be great.'
| Footballguys view: Newton is healthy now after only playing in two games last year. He broke his foot in the preseason (against the Patriots) and struggled through those two regular season games in his final appearances with the Panthers. Now, Newton will lead the way for the Patriots. Belichick did his due diligence and checked in with multiple sources about the veteran quarterback and obviously liked what he heard. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | New England adds Cam Newton Sun Jun 28, 07:55 PM
Free-agent QB Cam Newton (Patriots) reportedly agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth up to $7.5 million with New England Patriots on Sunday, June 28, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
| Footballguys view: The Patriots only had Jarrett Stidham, a second-year pro from Auburn, and Brian Hoyer, the journeyman veteran, to compete for the starting job. Newton is a huge upgrade over either one of those options if he is healthy. He played in only two games last year for the Panthers with a broken foot and obviously didn't look like his old self. Now healthy, Newton is looking for a bounce-back season as the Patriots are looking to move forward without Tom Brady. Newton has QB1 upside for Fantasy GMs with his new team. |
Cam Newton player page
Patriots | Yodny Cajuste has been at facility Sun Jun 28, 01:25 PM
New England Patriots OT Yodny Cajuste (calf) has visited the team's facility on a regular basis this offseason since he is recovering from a calf injury.
Link to story Patriots | Trainer predicts bounce back for Mohamed Sanu Thu Jun 25, 06:55 PM
New England Patriots WR Mohamed Sanu (ankle) will be 'faster, quicker, leaner, and in better shape' than he was in 2019 after undergoing offseason surgery for a high-ankle injury, according to trainer Hilton Alexander. Alexander said Sanu was a 'shell of himself' after being acquired from the Atlanta Falcons.
| Footballguys view: Sanu had ankle surgery in early March and has been on the road to recovery since then. He should be ready to start in Week 1 of the regular season. Julian Edelman, N'Keal Harry and Sanu will be the top three receivers for the Patriots in 2020. |
Mohamed Sanu player page
Patriots | Two candidates for swing tackle role Wed Jun 24, 06:36 PM
New England Patriots OT Korey Cunningham and OT Yodny Cajuste are expected to compete for the swing tackle job during training camp.
Link to story Patriots | Jake Burt could make roster Wed Jun 24, 06:17 PM
New England Patriots TE Jake Burt is expected to compete for the No. 3 tight end job during training camp.
| Footballguys view: The Patriots have two rookie tight ends, Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene, who should be at the top of the depth chart. Behind those two, guys like Burt, Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo will compete to complete the pecking order. |
