Weekly Fantasy Report: 5 Reasons You Must Draft Tom Brady

Added by Ken R. on August 8, 2012.

If Tom Brady is available in your fantasy draft, will you take him? You should.

Reason 1: Schedule

Let’s play word association.  Ready?  Rams. Terrible.  Colts. Even worse.  Jaguars.  Gabbert.  Ok , let’s stop playing now.  You get the point.

Simply put, the Patriots’ doughy schedule will be the catalyst for what could be a season that rivals 2007.  Last year, the Patriots were 13-3, with a much tougher schedule.  While I am not one to put too much stock into schedule strength due to the fact that things can change very quickly in the NFL, it looks as though the only challenging defenses Tom Brady will face this season will be in Week 3 versus the Baltimore Ravens, and Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers (Brady easily handled the Jets last season so we will leave them off).

Reason 2:  Josh McDaniels

McDaniels was a terrible coach in Denver.  He made head-scratching move after head-scratching move, including drafting Tim Tebow and trading Peyton Hillis, among others.  But, where McDaniels really shines, is as an offensive mind.  Let’s rewind to 2007, the last time Brady and McDaniels worked together.  Brady threw for a pedestrian 50 touchdowns and 4,806 yards with only eight interceptions and almost 70% completion rate.  McDaniels is back, and Brady’s supporting cast is better than ever.  Look for a similar synergy this season.

Reason 3:  The Defense

The Patriots’ defense was ranked 31^st overall last year, and that meant Tom Brady was forced to throw often to keep the Pats ahead.  Expect more of the same in 2012.  Yes, Belichick did add some firepower by drafting DE Chandler Jones and LB Dont’a Hightower, but rookies do not turn defenses this bad around in one season.  Generally, the quarterbacks who put up massive numbers are forced to throw often.

Reason 4: The Supporting Cast

The collection of talent around Tom Brady may be the best he has ever had.  Wes Welker is one of the best receivers in the league.  Hernandez and Gronkowski are both beasts at the tight end position.  Danny Woodhead and Deion Branch provide consistent and dangerous safety outlets.  Outside of the New York Giants, who beat the Patriots three times last season (once in preseason), and the Ravens and Steelers, no team has been able to shut down this passing attack.

Reason 5: Stevan Ridley

Last season, the Patriots’ rushing attack was ranked 20^th in the league.  That was with BenJarvus Green-Ellis as the starter, who gained less than 700 yards rushing.  Now that he has departed to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Patriots will have to work with the very average Stevan Ridley as the starter.  Ridley looked pedestrian in his appearances last season, and there is nothing to make one think that the Patriots will suddenly becomes a run-heavy offense.  The lack of a running back has never been a problem for New England, as Tom Brady and the short passing game often function better than any running game could.  Expect the usual; a pass heavy offense focused on Tom Brady.