The New England Patriots were not expected to make a playoff push in 2024, but after a Week 1 upset win against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots have fallen hard. The product on the field has not been good enough on offense, and while the defense has kept some games close, the team is stone cold with only 62 points scored in five games.
New England has decided to start their rookie QB, Drake Maye in Week 6, and this could be good news for fantasy owners who have seen some anemic performances. Maye will face the Houston Texans on Sunday, who have not been in the best of form themselves, so let’s take a look at the Patriots’ weapons for the matchup:
Patriots’ QB Fantasy Outlook: Drake Maye
It’s always tough to predict how a rookie QB will perform on his debut, and Drake Maye is no exception. Maye is not the only QB set to make his debut this week, with Saints QB Spencer Rattler also set to start under center.
Maye’s college stats show why he was taken at No. 3 in the 2024 NFL draft, passing for 8,018 yards and 63 TDs across three seasons in North Carolina. What makes him extra interesting in fantasy is his mobility, as Maye ran for 1,209 yards and 16 TDs on top.
This mobility is part of why the Patriots are set to start Maye, as avoiding blitzers and extending plays/drives are areas New England has struggled with in 2024.
Given it’s his debut and that the Patriots are not looking all that impressive, it’s too early to start Drake Maye. Certainly, pick him up and bench him, but keep him there until we have had a good look at how he translates into the NFL.
Drake Maye’s point range: 4-21; Prediction: 13
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Patriots’ RB Fantasy Outlooks: Rhamondre Stevenson & Antonio Gibson (updated)
Rhamondre Stevenson is coming off a much-needed 17.20-point performance (HPPR), going for 92 scrimmage yards and a TD against the Miami Dolphins. Stevenson is the main RB in New England and is a very good RB2/flex option in fantasy. However, Stevenson has been ruled out of Week 6 with a foot injury, meaning Gibson will be a good pick in his place.
Antonio Gibson is having a quietly solid season as an RB2 in a losing team, going for between 6-11 points three times in five games. Gibson’s ceiling has been limited not so much by his volume, but more due to his lack of endzone activity.
In general, if Gibson can start getting in the endzone he would be a solid RB2/flex option, and with him taking the lion’s share of snaps in Stevenson’s absence, could see a good score in Week 6. Gibson is a good start against the Texans as with a rookie QB under center, the Patriots will likely run the ball often and early.
Antonio Gibson’s point range: 5-20; Prediction: 12
Patriots’ WR Fantasy Outlooks: Ja’Lynn Polk, Kendrick Bourne & DeMario Douglas
New England’s receiving corps has really suffered in 2024 and many of their WRs are desperate for TDs. Thus far, none of the Patriots’ main receivers have been trustworthy starts in fantasy, and all represent a risk in Week 6. Regardless of who you have, none should start until the Patriots show it on the field.
These are high-risk, low-reward options, and with the Pats allowing the second-most sacks in 2024 (19), the O-line needs to keep the QB upright in order to find the receivers. Presuming Maye’s mobility might help in this regard, some improvement could be forthcoming.
Kendrick Bourne didn’t impress in his first week off the PUP list, and with limited snaps and limited training should be nowhere near your fantasy lineup just yet. Expect improvements from New England’s WRs, but not enough to warrant taking the gamble here.
Ja’Lynn Polk’s point range: 1-14: Prediction: 9
Kendrick Bourne’s point range: 0-10; Prediction: 4
DeMario Douglas’ point range: 1-14; Prediction: 7
Patriots’ TE Fantasy Outlook: Hunter Henry
Often a tight end is a rookie QBs best friend and it is entirely possible we see Hunter Henry emerging as a safety blanket for Drake Maye on his NFL debut. This could be a good time to start Henry, who aside from a 14.90-point (HPPR) display in Week 2, has not been particularly inspiring on a fantasy level.
One issue is that Austin Hooper has been eating into Henry’s targets, with 7 receptions for 77 yards and a TD in 2024.
After a 1.80-point day in Week 5, Henry is a risky start, but if you are in a pinch at TE, he could be your answer.
Hunter Henry’s point range: 1-14; Prediction: 6.5
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