Julian Edelman

Week 11 at Philadephia Eagles
It appears as though a Week 10 bye was just what Julian Edelman needed, as he was removed from the Patriots' injury report on Wednesday. Edelman was heavily targeted in Week 9 against the Ravens and turned 11 targets into ten receptions for 89 yards and a finish as the WR23 for the week. Edelman was surprisingly out-targeted and out-produced by the recently acquired Mohamed Sanu, but Edelman still managed a 100% snap share. Edelman was also targeted five times in the red zone, increasing his total to a league-leading 17 targets inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Following a Week 10 bye, Edelman ranks as the WR10 overall.

In his previous game, Edelman faced one of the top secondaries in the NFL in Baltimore, and he faces an Eagles secondary in Week 11 that should be far more forgiving. Philadelphia has allowed the 7th-most aFPA to wide receivers, while also possessing one of the most effective defensive lines with regards to rushing the passer. The Patriots should rely heavily on quickly-developing routes from its wide receivers to mitigate Philadelphia's pass rush, and that's exactly where Edelman tends to feast. Edelman has received double-digit targets in each of his last three games, and there's no reason to expect that streak to be broken against the Eagles. Alongside his massive red zone target volume, Edelman projects as a solid WR1.

Week 8 vs Cleveland Browns
New England's wide receiver group has had a volatile identity in the 2019 season's first half, but Julian Edelman has been a constantly strong fantasy performer. His 86% snap share leads Patriots wide receivers, his PPR points per snap are also best in the crew at 0.25, and his 15.0% target share is #1 in the group. A lack of touchdowns has tempered his overall fantasy standing and last week's seven-reception zero-touchdown outing was good for Week 8's WR27 and an overall WR13 ranking.

Edelman draws a matchup with a Browns secondary that hasn't lived up to preseason expectations, as their 37.9 aFPA to wide receivers (eighth-most) attests. Edelman's eight red-zone targets trail only James White among Patriots receiving options, and like White, Edelman remains a strong positive touchdown regression candidate. He's a high-floor WR1 start for Week 8.

Week 6 vs New York Giants
Julian Edelman put together an impressive performance in Week 5, considering the fact that if I had suffered a similar chest injury, I would be incapacitated on the couch for two weeks incapable of communication beyond moans and eye movements. For his part, Edelman turned a 92% snap share and nine targets into eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown, making him the WR10 for Week 5 and elevating him to the fantasy WR17 overall.

Edelman draws a wildly enticing matchup with Grant Haley in Week 6, who has been one of the least-effective cornerbacks in the NFL in coverage. Vegas gives New England an implied team total of 31 points, and New York's secondary has struggled overall to stop the pass, allowing 42.0 aFPA to wide receivers, the sixth-highest average in the league. Another week removed from his injury and a key cog in the Patriots' projected pass-heavy game plan, Edelman is a borderline WR1 start this week.