New England Patriots - Fantasy News

Super Bowl 52 DFS Picks: Phillip Dorsett

by Adam Markowitz

1/25/18

NFL

New England Patriots

Phillip Dorsett

With Jimmy Garoppolo still backing up Tom Brady at the time, the New England Patriots didn't have much use for Jacoby Brissett. They moved him just before the start of the season and got Phillip Dorsett in return from the Indianapolis Colts.

The Colts ended up getting a starting quarterback they might hitch their wagon to in the future if Andrew Luck isn't able to return from his neck injury. The Patriots didn't do so well, getting just 12 receptions out of Dorsett this season.

But the Super Bowl makes for unlikely fantasy heroes, and with Dorsett facing a Projected Fantasy Points total of just 2.0, he could be a live long shot for Dober Play Cards.

Why Should I Start Phillip Dorsett?

For starters, it isn't going to take much to get Dorsett past his PFP total. One catch might do the trick for a man who had four of his receptions cover at least 20 yards over the course of this season. The Miami product has only had one target in the playoffs to date, and it went for 31 yards against Jacksonville in the AFC Championship Game.

Jim Schwartz's game plan as Philadelphia's defensive coordinator largely hasn't changed this year. He plays a ton of two-deep safety looks alongside press coverage on the outside and dares quarterbacks to find receivers in a hurry in the face of one of the best pass rushes in the NFL. A man like Dorsett could be the one to force the Eagles out of that game plan.

We know that Dorsett can fly, and the Pats love running him down the field. But in this case, he might be better served as a short option for Tom Brady and the passing game.

Bill Belichick has shown time and time again that he isn't afraid to go to the well and stick with the hot hand when he finds one. If Dorsett is the guy who can move the ball against one of the best defenses in the NFL, so be it.

Why Should I Bench Phillip Dorsett?

The Patriots are known for spreading the ball around, but they really haven't done so much this season.

Brady threw the ball 53 times against Tennessee and targeted just six men on 52 of those 53 throws, and he followed that up against Jacksonville by throwing 25 of his 38 passes to Brandin Cooks, Danny Amendola and Dion Lewis.

Dorsett was on the field more at the end of the season than he was at the beginning, but a lot of that had to do with the fact that Hogan was hurt through November and December. With Hogan back in the lineup and presumably at full strength, there will certainly be fewer routes for Dorsett to run.

Should I Make Phillip Dorsett a Super Bowl Fantasy Pick?

No. Over the course of their last two Super Bowl appearances, the Patriots have thrown the ball exactly zero times to wide receivers who didn't have at least 30 catches in the regular season. Dorsett is a fringe player on an offense that has three better options at wide receiver, a better option at tight end, and two great receivers at the running back spot. There just aren't enough balls to be thrown to ensure that Dorsett will even receive a target, let alone a reception that covers more than 15 yards to beat his PFP total.

Super Bowl Fantasy Prediction: Phillip Dorsett Under 2.0 DFP