Julian Edelman

Don't just automatically assume that just because Edelman is returning to the field, that he's going to be the same player. He's now 32 years old and coming off a torn ACL last preseason. It's not to say he can't return and produce, but he finished as the WR22 while playing all 16 games in his age-30 season. A lot of the targets have evaporated in the Patriots offense and you have to figure that Edelman will still get every opportunity to succeed, so you don't want to write him off completely. He's obviously someone who would benefit in a PPR format. He's now been suspended for the first four games, so it's going to be difficult to hang on to him because the first month is the most important time to acquire waiver wire players. He shouldn't be drafted as a top-50 wide receiver at this point.

Julian Edelman facing four-game suspension for PEDs

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league's performance enhancing drugs policy.

Fantasy Impact

He's appealing the suspension, but as most players learn, it's not likely to change. This is a massive blow to a now 32-year-old wide receiver who is trying to make his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered last preseason. You also have to wonder if this is the reason the Patriots signed Jordan Matthews late in the free agency process, as he can likely fill the void left by Edelman. All of a sudden, Chris Hogan looks more and more like a WR2 to start the season, though his production would dip when Edelman returned to the lineup. As for Edelman, he's someone who shouldn't be drafted as a top-50 wide receiver, as the first four weeks of the season are the most important when it comes to waiver wire acquisition.