Among the trustiest of possession receivers in today's game, Amendola quietly approached 100 targets in 2019, but his output was ultimately compromised by inept quarterback play from backups Jeff Driskel and David Blough. Having Matthew Stafford back should work wonders for all receivers, though, and Amendola in particular could flourish if Stafford returns to the elite level of play he exhibited last year. In seven games with Stafford at the helm, Amendola caught at least seven passes three times and nearly eclipsed 100 receiving yards on each occasion, including Week 1 during his very first game with the QB. While this offseason has been unusual, it isn't unreasonable to think that Amendola's connection with Stafford has only grown since then.
Trading Golden Tate midway through the 2018 season created an opportunity for the Lions to add a new face at the slot receiver spot. While the rising Kenny Golladay proved effective in that role, Detroit likely prefers to use him primarily on the outside. Enter Amendola, who caught 59 passes for 575 yards and one score for the Dolphins in 2018 after a storied five-year stint with the Patriots, when he averaged over ten yards per catch four times and snagged over 70 percent of the total passes thrown his way. The Tom Brady effect likely had a lot to do with that top-notch efficiency, but Matthew Stafford is no scrub and was also able to connect with Tate at a similar 69.8 percent clip over four and a half years. While it would be foolish to expect the 33-year-old Amendola to garner the 120-plus targets Tate saw - especially on a Detroit team that's likely to run more - Amendola could still be a sneaky source of receptions in 2019 and can likely be had for peanuts.
Amendola, who was lured away from AFC East rival New England, seems most likely to fill the slot position left vacant by Jarvis Landry's trade. The 32-year-old flashed at times with the Patriots, including a 26-348-2 stat line during New England's last three playoff games, but he's often struggled to stay healthy when tasked with a heavy workload. There's some PPR utility to be had if Amendola can avoid injury in Miami, but it's worth remembering that the 32-year-old has never eclipsed 700 receiving yards in a season.
Originally scheduled to make $6 million this coming season, Amendola agreed to a reduced contract to remain with the Patriots. It's not the first time Amendola has restructured his deal to stay in New England, and retaining him gives the team valuable depth and experience that will pay dividends with Julian Edelman out for the season. Amendola, who turns 32 in November, caught 23 of 29 targets for 243 yards and four TDs in 12 games for New England this past season, but despite the lack of volume in his opportunities, he displayed a knack for moving the chains at key junctures. Amendola's profile in the Patriots' 2017 offense is bound to expand in the wake of Edelman's injury. Brandin Cooks and Chris Hogan now head the New England wideout corps and the emerging Malcolm Mitchell is on hand, but Amendola is now in a position to make his mark in PPR formats, even if the Patriots manage his snap count to some degree.
Amendola might be the Patriots' No. 2 receiver on paper, but it's hard to get excited about a player who's never scored more than three touchdowns or eclipsed eight yards per target in a season. At 5-11, 190, Amendola is shifty and quick but not fast (4.58 40), and he's neither a downfield nor red-zone threat. Should he retain his role as the team's No. 2, he'll have some PPR value, especially after Tom Brady returns from a four-game suspension. But he has only modest upside, even if Julian Edelman were to get hurt, and free-agent signee Chris Hogan will push him for targets. Amendola underwent a procedure on his left knee this offseason, but at press time he's expected to be completely healthy before the start of the year.
While Amendola was signed by the Patriots prior to the 2013 offseason to be the successor to Wes Welker, it was Julian Edelman who emerged as the team’s high-volume wide receiver option. After catching 54 passes in 2013, Amendola caught just 27 passes (on 42 targets) last season while serving as the team’s No. 3 wideout behind Edelman and Brandon LaFell. Nonetheless, a late-season uptick in Amendola’s production that carried into the postseason helped him remain in the team’s plans, an arrangement secured by agreement on a restructured contract for three years and $12.75 million this offseason. In his role working behind Edelman and LaFell, Amendola’s fantasy upside remains modest as the coming season approaches, but he would be a candidate for added targets in the event of an injury to either of the team’s top two wideouts, in particular one affecting Edelman.
Signed to be the successor to Wes Welker, Amendola spent most of the year playing through a lingering groin injury and later suffered a concussion. As a result he played only 12 games and saw Julian Edelman take his role. Injuries are nothing new for Amendola – he missed 22 games over the four prior seasons, too. He’s supposedly healthy now though, participating in spring OTA’s and reportedly “feeling great.” At 5-11, 195, Amendola’s a quick, shifty possession receiver, but like Welker he doesn’t have much long speed (4.58 40). It’ll be interesting to see how the targets shake out between him and Edelman as both have similar skill sets and could prove redundant, especially if Shane Vereen and Rob Gronkowski stay reasonable healthy.
No player upgraded his environment quite as much as Amendola this offseason. Arriving in New England, Amendola immediately finds himself as Tom Brady's No. 1 wide receiver, with little competition for targets from two largely unheralded rookies, among others.Amendola himself is injury prone, having missed 22 games the last four seasons, and, at 5-11, 186, it's hard to see him scoring much more than Wes Welker (six TDs) did last year. But at 27, and with as much quickness and more long speed than his predecessor, Amendola has a good chance to excel in his current role.
The small, scrappy Amendola caught 86 balls in 2010, but elbow and triceps injuries cost him most of last season. At 5-11, 186, and more quick than fast, Amendola typically operates out of the slot, brings in short passes and doesn’t do a whole lot after the catch. That said, Sam Bradford seemed to trust him during his rookie year, and that’s worth something in PPR leagues. Don’t expect big yardage numbers or touchdowns, however. At press time, Amendola declared himself 100 percent healthy, so it looks like last year’s injuries are behind him.
After the Rams lost both Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton for the year, they had to turn to somebody, and that happened to be their kick returner, Amendola. Amendola acquitted himself as best he could under the circumstances, but the shifty 5-11, 186-pounder really wasn't suited to being anyone's top target. His per play averages – 8.1 YPC, 5.6 YPT – were easily last among the 31 100-target receivers, and despite 20 red-zone targets and 10 targets from inside the 10, he scored just three touchdowns. Heading into 2011, Amendola's 85 receptions probably guarantee him a significant role in the passing game. But Avery should be back, Mike Sims-Walker was signed, and Danario Alexander has much more upside. Moreover, the team drafted Austin Pettis in the second and Greg Salas in the fourth round, respectively.
Heads into training camp as the primary punt and kick returner as well as the club's No. 4 wide receiver. However, a lot could change as competition will be stiff at both positions and Amendola could find himself on the outside looking in when all is said and done.
Amendola is unlikely to make the team, so he looks destined for the practice squad.
Likely practice squad resident.