When Fantasy Football managers start building their big boards for the 2024 season, the New England Patriots aren’t the first team people will look to. However, even teams projected to struggle in 2024 can provide value for Fantasy Football managers.
In New England this offseason, the No. 1 goal was finding a new quarterback. With the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they accomplished that, selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
After securing Maye, the team’s attention turned to upgrading the weapons around him. That has been a weakness for the Patriots in recent seasons as they have lacked dynamic skill position players.
JuJu Smith-Schuster was a bust as a free agent signing in 2023, but they revamped the position in the last two drafts. In 2023, they selected Kayshon Boutte and Demario Douglas.
This year, they used a second-round pick on Ja’Lynn Polk out of Washington and a seventh-round pick on tight end Jaheim Bell out of Florida State. But, it was fourth-round pick Javon Baker who is garnering attention in the Fantasy Football world.
Over at Bleacher Report , Alex Kay has selected Baker as a deep sleeper for Fantasy Football in 2024. The Central Florida product has a real chance to carve out a role on a wide receiver depth chart that is wide open.
“Baker will need to beat out Polk in addition to incumbents like Demario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kendrick Bourne and veteran pickups such as K.J. Osborn for that distinction. But the 22-year-old clearly has the talent to quickly break out and shine for a Patriots offense that sorely needs big-play ability.
Although Baker only has an ADP of 193 right now, he could rise fast on the heels of a flashy training camp that secures him a place near the top of New England’s depth chart.
Managers with drafts in the near future shouldn’t shy away from taking Baker in the Round 15 range, especially since those in leagues drafting closer to the start of the season may have to spend a much higher pick on him,” wrote Kay .
Listed at 6’1” and 202 pounds, Baker has the size to be a productive receiver at the next level. His size combined with elite athleticism, recording a 37-inch vertical at the NFL Combine, profiles as someone who can succeed right away.
Creating big plays is something Baker excels at. Per Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire, he caught 15 out of 30 passes that traveled at least 15 yards down the field.
Whether it is Maye or veteran Jacoby Brissett, Baker is someone who can create plays downfield right off the bat. That is something Fantasy Football managers can benefit from once he gets in rhythm at the next level.
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The post This Patriots Playmaker Could Be Major Fantasy Football Sleeper appeared first on NFL Analysis Network .
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