Shane Vareen

[efactor]

I am really starting to like him for 2013, especially in PPR leagues.

By not resigning Woodhead, Belichick is saying that he has confidence in Vareen to be the receiving back this year. In itself, that is big, but i also thought he looked better than Ridley running the ball once he got healthy, so he will get a fair share of the carries as well. I don't think 15 touches a game is far fetched, so he could be a nice, lower end #2 RB this year in PPR. Plus, with the way NE runs the no huddle, he will get some goal line touches too as they rush to the line after a long pass play and don't bring in a heavy package a lot of the times.

Thoughts?

 

[gizzil]

although Patriot runners have helped me much in the past... they were never guys i drafted. I did see Ridley owners who drafted him reap some benefits this year... but im always a bit leery of patriot runners. I probably wouldnt draft him personally... but i may pick him up if im having depth issues and hes around. PPR would be a different story... and you may want to draft him later for this upside. of course, you will never know belli's plans before he rolls em out

 

[mudloggerone]

I hear ya Gizzil. Bill may be running pitch outs to his TE's this season, lol.

 

[jjtweeks]

I see the door opening up a bit now that woodhead and welker are gone for more catches. I don't know how much faith Brady has in him and doubt he will be his go to guy just yet. I agree that he could be a low end #2 but not for me. Maybe a bye week fill in or backup.

 

[Orgazmo]

The key will be staying healthy. Bill has no qualms about putting a player on the shelf if he can't be counted on. He'd then turn Edelman into Percy Harvin light.

 

[Miller]

Depends on how much hype he gets, but I'm with ya, he's on my radar.

 

[Phicinfan]

they did sign Leon Washington though, so I would temper what I think of Vereen because of that.

 

[efactor]

Washington will be a KR for the Pats. Doubt he cuts into offensive snaps. He really had no role in Seattle on the offense there.

 

[deuce4321]

I could definitely see Washington in a woodhead role. He played it for the jets before his injuries.

 

[efactor]

Yeah, 4 years ago before his injuries. Guy will be 31 when the season starts. He's pretty much a kick returner now.

But I hope everyone feels this way come draft time because Vareen will be a great value.