This year, there is one guy who I will be trying my hardest to roster on every fantasy team that I draft. He is not a guy I need to spend an early pick on, in fact, I have been and think that I will continue to be able to get him way below his value. I have been able to get him in the late rounds in my SFBX draft and both other drafts I have done since. He’s not flashy, he’s not big, he’s not fast, and he’s not a big name. He is a guy who is being drafted after guys like Antonio Brown and Devonta Freeman, who don’t even have jobs in the league! The disrespect is real, and I plan to take full advantage of it – and you should too!
What if I told you that you could draft a wide receiver who has always been an excellent route runner, knows how to get open and also make catches in traffic, and has some of the best hands in the NFL for next to nothing? You’d be all over that wouldn’t you? What if I also told you that he is going undrafted in some leagues and should be available to you in the late rounds of your fantasy drafts? What if I also told you that I think he could be a top 40 WR this season? Well I AM telling you all of that! Ladies and Gentlemen prepare for #SanuSZN!
That’s right, I’m talking about Mohamed Sanu! But JB, why on earth are you talking about a guy who only had 26 receptions after being traded to New England last season? Because I legitimately think his upside is a top 40 WR this season with a stable floor in PPR scoring. I truly believe that Sanu will outperform guys like Fuller, Slayton, Hardman, Ruggs and Dionte Johnson who are right in that top 40-50 range. Here’s why.
Last season, which was a relatively quiet one for Sanu, he still ranked in the top 60 overall with 124 points in 15 games with an average of 8.3 fantasy points in a PPR format. The mid-season trade from Atlanta to New England surely had to be challenging. Trying to establish rapport with a new QB, teammates and coaches and learning a new playbook at the same time couldn’t be easy. Add to that the fact that it’s the Bill Belichick playbook and its now further complicated. The Patriots have always been a team that didn’t stick to one system but always adjusted their schemes depending on who their opponent was, which means weekly changes to that already complex playbook. Tom Brady once said when asked about the Patriots playbook that the Patriots were likely to call over 500 designed pass plays each season and, in that, there will be plays that are repeated with changes and adjustments make to them. Now imagine trying to pick all of that up mid-season for a Superbowl Contender. Mohamed Sanu was drinking from a fire hose! Coming into 2020, Sanu has a full offseason to study the playbook and understand the system. He has had plenty of time to familiarize himself with the terminology and complexity of the system and will be much better prepared to contribute.
If you recall, the week after showing what he could do in New England with a huge game on Sunday Night Football, Sanu suffered a high ankle sprain. He only sat out one game but the injury was certainly nagging for the stretch run. Sanu had a surgical procedure in March to remedy the injury and he appears to be recovering very well from it and moving phenomenally. If you don’t believe me, spend a few minutes watching the videos on his Instagram page! Not only does his ankle look like it is healed, but he looks shredded, focused and absolutely locked in. You can even see videos of him working out with his new QB Cam Newton just days after Newton signed with the Patriots. The duo met up in California and started building their rapport right away which will help them both come training camp and the season. Sanu has also spent time in the offseason working with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer as well. Lastly, Sanu also hired a personal coach to live with him in preparation for this coming season. Drew Lieberman, who has been working with Sanu for two years and has experience coaching on several NCAA staffs, including Rutgers, has now moved in with Sanu to work on his game non-stop.
Adding up all the factors here, Mohamed Sanu was a top 60 ranked PPR wide receiver in 2019 with a bum ankle while learning a new playbook mid-season. Now, with a full offseason to learn the playbook, a healthy ankle, and relentless work ethic, Mohamed Sanu is looking to show everybody why he is worth the 2nd round draft pick that the Patriots traded for him. Without Brady there, Edelman will still be great, but wont get as many targets as when his buddy was throwing the rock, and some of those targets will go to Sanu. Sanu is also only 30 years old and in a contract year, playing for what could be his last substantial contract, which always helps to motivate anybody. At an ADP well north of 200, the return on investment late in the draft could be what makes you a league winner this season. With all the hype on 2nd year wideout N’Keal Harry, you can grab Sanu dirt cheap at the end of your draft and I believe HE is the guy to fall in behind Edelman in New England as far as fantasy production goes in your PPR league. Mohamed Sanu is an absolute steal in drafts right now – scoop him up and thank me later!
