What is the ceiling for Brandon LaFell as a Patriot?

If Lafell entered the offseason/preseason/week 1 as the starting outside WR instead of KT, he would probably be on pace for 70 receptions 1,100 yards and 11-12 TDs. When I said that KT was a bust in another thread, I didn't mean draft position. I meant the time we invested into him. If Lafell worked all summer as Brady's outside WR, we may end up winning the Miami game.

Lafell is better than 2012 Lloyd and 2010-2011 Branch. I think his ceiling is a higher end WR2 type like Edelman/Cobb/etc.

Two solid WRs complimenting the unstoppable Gronk through 2016.

I'm having a hard time thinking of that one in the end zone as a drop. He made a great catch, but the ball popped out while he was sliding on hard-ass turf.

As far as his ceiling goes, the 1000/10 is more than reasonable. I actually think it's higher, once he and Brady get in sync on the deep stuff. LaFell is always open.

Unless he lives outside, probably something like this:

Fixit said:

I'm having a hard time thinking of that one in the end zone as a drop. He made a great catch, but the ball popped out while he was sliding on hard-ass turf.

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Agreed, that was hardly a ball-in-chest-in-stride type of drop like we've seen from Edelman and Vereen the past few weeks, hard to fault him on that one.

Lafell doesn't create much separation, for the most part, but his route-running has been impressive and with his height and reach as long as Brady's on point he'll reel in those sideline catches all day long. Definitely an upgrade over what we've had on the outside the past few seasons, and if he can hit on some of those go routes (like the one Brady just missed early in this weeks game) he'll be even more dangerous. I'd be ecstatic with 70 1,000 10, especially given the production we're already expecting from Edelman and Gronk.

Those two bombs miscue was either on Brady or the weather played a factor, LaFell got behind the Defense twice. A better throw and he walks in the EZ I didn't know he was that Fast! The Drops he had was just what they were but atleast he made up for it later with some nice catches. Barring injuries I think he's going to be a Huge factor down the stretch for us.

Newton wasn't doing him any favors in Carolina with errant passes and a undisciplined offense.
Lafell said when he signed here that he was excited to have a QB who puts it right on you and hits you in stride and he is proving he is worth more than the contract he signed which honestly I didn't see coming.
Store this in the what if files but there is a certain Rookie reciver we missed on by a few picks who would be incredible if what he is doing in Carolina is any indication.
That being said I would also like to see more Tyms especially on the deep pass plays. He has proven he has the wheels to hall in Brady's Bombs.

hambone1818 said:

Lafell doesn't create much separation

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He's no Randy Moss or Desean Jackson, but I can't complain about the room LaFell creates. It isn't like Tom has a miniscule window to fit it in there, Brandon always seems plenty open whenever the ball goes his way.

Lafell's ceiling is probably only slightly better than what he has shown the past 4 or so games. He has reached the heights of his personal talents probably. He will always be just a tad inconsistent but he can make YAC and has size and some toughness on the outside.

I see him as someone you can go with as a starting outside guy without a need to upgrade for the next 3 years provided you have Gronk of course.

I would like another weapon though. Hopefully Wright can turn into that other consistent option. I just think if Gronk goes down for a few games Lafell and Edelman aren't good enough to shoulder the load alone.

I think he is a 900-1000 yard 7-10 TD guy. Not bad for the price.

BobDigital said:

I would like another weapon though. Hopefully Wright can turn into that other consistent option. I just think if Gronk goes down for a few games Lafell and Edelman aren't good enough to shoulder the load alone.

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It is very possible that the weapon your seek is already on the team. With 5OL, Tom, a RB and Gronk/LaFell/Edelman, that is 10 of the possible 11 right there who are going to be on the field most downs. Thankfully, the team has been healthy enough to not have much room for the backups to put much on display.

Tunescribe said:

Unless he lives outside, probably something like this:

View attachment 7282

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Or just possibly this:



That's Brady passing the ball to LaFell, depicted by Michelangelo. Note the protecting "Brady" is getting from his line.

mayoclinic said:

Or just possibly this:

That's Brady passing the ball to LaFell, depicted by Michelangelo. Note the protecting "Brady" is getting from his line.

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Considering what I'm seeing, that's quite an imagination you have.

Oswlek said:

Isn't that a bit like saying, "he'd be a smarter, more productive Chad Jackson?"

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That's pretty unfair to Lloyd, who did after all turn in 74 for 911 yds. Yes, he went down like a shot rabbit, and he was a headcase, but he got open and he caught the ball. He caught the ball pretty well actually. I remember some spectacular catches. Chad Jackson had 14 catches for his /career/.

rochrist said:

That's pretty unfair to Lloyd, who did after all turn in 74 for 911 yds. Yes, he went down like a shot rabbit, and he was a headcase, but he got open and he caught the ball. He caught the ball pretty well actually. I remember some spectacular catches. Chad Jackson had 14 catches for his /career/.

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Of course, I was being hyperbolic. Lloyd wasn't nearly as good as his numbers suggested, though, nor was he the player that the fans thought he was (and still do in some cases). But he was clearly better than Jackson. I'll grant him that much.

rochrist said:

That's pretty unfair to Lloyd, who did after all turn in 74 for 911 yds. Yes, he went down like a shot rabbit, and he was a headcase, but he got open and he caught the ball. He caught the ball pretty well actually. I remember some spectacular catches. Chad Jackson had 14 catches for his /career/.

View attachment 7284

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That is amazing -- spotting the photographer and smiling while in mid-air. Catch looks impressive as well.

His ceiling is somewhere between Troy BROWN and Stanley STEAMER Morgan.

Oswlek said:

Isn't that a bit like saying, "he'd be a smarter, more productive Chad Jackson?"

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Well, I'm looking at the fact that Llyod had 80 or so catches here in his last season...like @robertweathers said, he did produce as our (then) WR1/WR2, and that was an enormous hole that was felt across the WR board last year when Llyod wasn't here.

Edit: Sorry, I see you've addressed your stance in your response to other posters.

kennyb said:

His ceiling is somewhere between Troy BROWN and Stanley STEAMER Morgan.

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...which is a very high ceiling and if reached, would be kick-@ss

WR coach Chad O'Shea on LaFell's difference:

The free-agent signing of Brandon LaFell has worked out as well as the team could have hoped. LaFell (36 catches, 514 yards, five TDs) has played 75 percent of the offensive snaps. "He has certainly come in and showed a lot of the things we knew he had -- which is toughness, his work ethic is unbelievable, and he has certainly made some plays on the field with the ball in his hands. When Brandon came in, it raised the level of our group," receivers coach Chad O'Shea said.

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http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...700/picked-up-pieces-from-patriots-assistants

I don't think LaFell keeps producing at his current statistical level. 514 yards and 5 TDs is big numbers for a WR who has only been a major contributor in 5 or so games. I think he tops off at 800 yards, 8 TDs or so.

Which would be great numbers for a #3 target. If he could improve his hand, I would see a ceiling of Givens level play.