NFL 2009 Fantasy Football Draft: Top 5 New England Patriots to Draft

The New England Patriots have been this decade's most dominant team. With that lofty platitude comes the expectation that they will always provide plenty of annual talent for any fantasy football league. Now that Tom Brady's back from injury, look for this year's Patriots to improve on last season's 11-5 record, and to be a dominate force on offense once again. Here then are the top 5 New England Patriots to take during a 2010 Fantasy Draft.

Tom Brady (QB):

Having traded away last year' starter Matt Cassel, the Patriots are banking on Brady being fully recovered from his injury. Still, the question remains on what type of fantasy numbers Brady will put up this year. Chances are those stats will fall somewhere between his record setting numbers of 2007 and the steady numbers he averaged between 2002 -2006. Look for Brady to throw for close to 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, and for him to rank among the elite quarterbacks in the NFL once again, which means he will be gone by the second round of your draft.

Randy Moss (WR):

Without Brady last season, Moss' 2008 numbers fell back down to earth. Still, 1,008 yards and 11 touchdowns on a Brady-less team wasn't bad. This year look for Randy Moss to up his numbers slightly, and a +80 catches, +1,200 yards season is not out of the question. What's more, with 135 lifetime touchdowns in just 170 games, Moss is a sure bet to post a +10 touchdown season once again. Look for Moss to go in the top 3 rounds of the draft.

Wes Welker (WR):

Few Players have produced as consistently as Welker has over the past two years in which he has averaged 111.5 catches for 1,170 yards per season. Yet at 5-9, 185 lbs, Welker becomes virtually invisible in the red zone and only has 12 lifetime touchdowns in 79 games. That fact alone will keep Welker from being an elite fantasy receiver this season, though he makes for a great second receiver on any fantasy team, especially in a league where receptions count.

Stephen Gostkowski (K)

Gostkowski had an odd season in 2008, though the kicker hit on 36 out of 40 field goal attempts, he missed twice from inside the 20. Still, he has made good on 77 of 90 lifetime field goal attempts, and he is playing on a high powered offense. He will not get you the 148 points he had last season, or the 137 points he got in 2007, but he will still be good for a +120 point season.

Laurence Maroney (RB):

Maroney's season ended in injury last year, and the truth is he has yet to prove he can carry a heavy load over the course of a full season, which means the Patriots may run by committee again in 2008. Maroney though remains the back with the biggest upside on this team, and he is worth a late round flyer in the draft. The reward may be an 850-1,000 yards season. Then again, you may cut him by week 3.

Statistical Source:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats;