Should I Pick Up the Patriots WR This Week?

The New England Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins, 31-17. It was a quiet day for quarterback Mac Jones, who threw for only 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Jones and the passing game have struggled all year and have been looking for different guys to give a spark. On Sunday, it was Demario Douglas who Jones looked for the most. He had only five catches for 25 yards but had the most targets.

Could Jones have a new favorite target, and if so, should fantasy football managers be ready to add him off the waiver wire?

Should Demario Douglas Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 9?

Douglas has become more involved in the Patriots offense recently, as he has had six and seven targets the last two weeks. While this increase is definitely a positive sign, he has had only one other game with more than three, and that was the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.

He has put together a nice stretch, but he has not scored a touchdown this year and isn’t worth a waiver wire add.

MORE: Fantasy News Tracker

Usually, when you are looking for a waiver wire target, it is a new guy who has big-play potential on a very good offense — the type of team that can score 30-35 on any given Sunday. The Patriots do not fit that category at all.

The Patriots weren’t going up against the best defense either on Sunday against the Dolphins. When you talk about the team, you talk about the elite offense. The defense, when you look at the numbers, is an average group. The Dolphins entered this game 20th against the pass (233 yards) and have given up some big games to players.

There isn’t a single receiver in New England that should be on your roster at any point for the foreseeable future. The game against the Bills last week was a good day for the Patriots, but this offense isn’t good at all.

If you are in wide receiver trouble, go look at the waiver wire. If there are any Patriots wide receivers, leave them there. There are plenty of other options who are in much better situations:

• On teams that have a very good offense that has a QB who is able to throw downfield with any consistency.
• In an offense that has a running back that is able to demand the focus of the defense, allowing play-action and deep passing plays to be a part of the scheme.
• Are filling in for an injury.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!