Fantasy Upside
Despite playing in only 12 games in 2018, Julian Edelman scored the 22nd-most .5 PPR fantasy points among wide receivers. From Weeks 5 to 17 he was the WR8 in total points, averaging 14.2 points per game, more than Adam Thielen, Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, and Stefon Diggs among other WR1's in that timeframe. Without Rob Gronkowski in the lineup, Edelman's average receiving yards went up by 20 yards on 3 more targets per game. If he can stay healthy and his projected increased target volume can offset any age-related performance decline, he could finish as a top-10 fantasy wide receiver.
Fantasy Downside
Edelman is about to enter his age-33 season, and he's accumulated a litany of right-ankle and foot injuries, an ACL tear, and four concussions in his nine-year career. He's only played in 16 games once in the past five seasons, and there is the possibility that added snap volume means more injury risk.
2019 Bottom Line
As long as he can avoid any serious injury that would sideline him for four-plus games, he presents value even if he misses a game or two. He's a virtual lock for 130-plus targets with Gronkowski out of the lineup, which is target volume seen by only 13 wide receivers in 2018. His 16-game target pace in 2018 was 170, which would have tied Julio Jones for the league-lead. We rank him as the WR12 for .5 PPR leagues, while his ADP makes him the 15th wide receiver drafted in the 4th round. He's a high-floor, high-ceiling option who's a clear value at his current cost.