The New England Patriots could get Brandon LaFell back for Week 7 and he could be a solid fantasy football free agent pick for owners after starting the season on the PUP list. Dion Lewis has continued his strong play for the Pats and he could be a better starting option for fantasy owners over LeGarrette Blount for Tom Brady moving forward.
The Patriots offense has been humming along through Week 6 and the team is now 5-0 after winning over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night. The team has been without LaFell all season and they just lost Nate Solder to an injury, but the Pats have been able to overcome that and now face off against the Jets in and AFC East division game next week. Tom Brady is on pace for a record breaking season and he has nearly 1700 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and just one interception this year in five games played.
Getting LaFell back will only help the Patriots passing offense and it comes at a good time, as Julian Edelman is dealing with a finger injury. Edelman has still put up solid numbers with 40 catches for 449 yards in five games, but his finger issues were noticeable on Sunday night and the Pats could try and limit things over the next couple weeks to get that healed up. According to Mike Reiss at ESPN, LaFell is eligible to start practicing with the team heading into the Jets game and he also is eligible to play in that game if the Patriots activate him.
Dion Lewis has continued to be a solid fantasy option for the Patriots and he has 201 yards rushing along with 26 catches for 256 yards this season. Blount had a quiet game in Week 6, but he out-snapped LeGarrette Blount again in the game and if that keeps happening, he is worth starting over Blount for fantasy owners moving forward. Lewis has had at least five catches in three of his last four games and he has also found the end zone in three of the past four games for the Pats.
Last season LaFell had a career year with the Patriots and when he comes back he will slot into the second starting wideout spot behind Edelman. The Patriots would love to have LaFell back over starting Danny Amendola and having LaFell as another target could continue to open things up for Brady and the passing offense.
LaFell had 74 catches for 953 yards and seven touchdowns to set career highs across the board last year and adding that back to the offense would be another positive for the Pats. LaFell has been dealing with the foot injury since the summer and he appears ready to return for the Patriots. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the practice injury reports this week to see if LaFell will end up starting.