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Fantasy Football Draft Guide - Player Profiles and AnalysisLow-tier wide receiver analysis
By Cory J. Bonini Lance Moore | New Orleans Saints | 5-foot-9, 190 pounds | 5th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Just one season removed from catching 79 passes and 10 touchdowns, Moore is coming off an injury-plagued, seven-game, 14-reception season. The Saints have a mess of players in their passing game, so it's tough to expect much from Moore, barring an injury to one of the starters. He should be in for a reasonable rebound, but inconsistency will drive fantasy owners mad. Despite a strong camp, Moore should be left for the wire in all standard leagues. Earl Bennett | Chicago Bears | 6-foot, 204 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Bennett is young and is entering his second season, for all intents and purposes. He didn't catch a pass as a rookie in 2008 but started 15 games last year and hauled in 54 balls for 717 yards and scored twice. With the emergence of wideouts Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu, Bennett seems to be the Chicago receiver pushed to the fantasy wayside. He is draftable in leagues with rosters larger than 16 players. Joshua Cribbs | Cleveland Browns | 6-foot-1, 215 pounds | 6th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: His 36 career receptions could be topped this year, but Cribbs' best value remains in leagues that award points for individual special teams feats. He is as dynamic a returner as anyone in the game today, and the Browns should give him enough carries to make him look appealing to some owners. Don't be that owner. He has no fantasy value in typical league setups. Deion Branch | Seattle Seahawks | 5-foot-9, 195 pounds | 9th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Branch has played one full season in his entire career (2005). He has never been much of a touchdown scorer (28 in eight years) and is coming off a career-low 9.7 yards-per-reception average season because of a lingering knee injury. He is only draftable in deep leagues. Reggie Brown | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-foot-1, 197 pounds | 6th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The six-year vet is battling for a roster spot, but we figure he should be no worse than the No. 4 receiver. He has some experience and has also shown flashes in his career. Brown should be left for the waiver wire in standard leagues. Brandon Gibson | St. Louis Rams | 6-foot, 210 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: St. Louis traded for Gibson last season, and he caught 34 balls for them. We may be a little low on him, but the quarterback situation doesn't instill confidence in any Rams receiver. At best, Gibson is a late, late flier in leagues that roster at least 18 players. Josh Morgan | San Francisco 49ers | 6-foot, 219 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The 25-year-old Morgan improved greatly in his second season. In 15 games started, he racked up 52 catches. However, his 10.1 yards-per-reception average won't cut the mustard, and he's, at best, the third passing option in a run-first offense. Morgan is a speculative pick in very deep leagues. Brandon Stokley | Denver Broncos | 6-foot, 192 pounds | 12th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The 34-year-old veteran is dealing with a hamstring injury and could be on the roster bubble. He appears safe for now, but he's coming off his worst non-injury season of his career as far as receptions go (19). Stokley shouldn't be drafted in any format. Patrick Crayton | Dallas Cowboys | 6-foot, 204 pounds | 7th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Despite what some Dallas fans want to believe, Crayton has great hands. Unfortunately, those hands are buried on the depth chart and are unlikely to see enough targets to make him worth more than a desperate waiver wire pickup during the season. Darrius Heyward-Bey | Oakland Raiders | 6-foot-2, 210 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Size. Check. Speed. Check. Hands. Check ... wait, hands of stone? DHB's fantasy value should be better with Jason Campbell tossing the ball, but he's still better as a long-term option for full-retention keeper leaguers than for single-year drafts. Mardy Gilyard | St. Louis Rams | 5-foot-11, 194 pounds | Rookie 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Gilyard could see enough playing time late in the year to showcase what he can do, but until then it's a crapshoot with a fellow rookie likely being the starting quarterback. Gilyard should only be drafted in full-retention keeper leagues. Early Doucet | Arizona Cardinals | 6-foot, 212 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Injuries have limited Doucet to just 16 games played in his first two seasons combined. As the No. 3 receiver in Arizona's expected run-first system, Doucet should be left for the wire in normal fantasy formats. Antwaan Randle El | Pittsburgh Steelers | 5-foot-10, 185 pounds | 9th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The wily veteran returns to the Steelers to be a role player. At 31 years old, without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least four games and being probably the fourth receiving option, Randle El is best left for the wire. Mark Clayton | Baltimore Ravens | 5-foot-10, 190 pounds | 6th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Clayton should make it out of the preseason with a roster spot. His 34 receptions in 14 games last year marked a career low. Add two new receiving toys to the equation and Clayton shouldn't be considered in any standard fantasy league. Bryant Johnson | Detroit Lions | 6-foot-3, 215 pounds | 8th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: We don't see Johnson receiving enough looks to warrant fantasy consideration in any league. Leave him for the wire. Jason Avant | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-foot, 212 pounds | 5th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The clutch third-down receiver is coming off his best pro season (41-587-3), but he is likely to regress with a new quarterback after probably hitting his statistical ceiling as the slot receiver. Avoid him in standard leagues. Ramses Barden | New York Giants | 6-foot-6, 227 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The second-year wideout has great size and leaping ability, which could lead to a few red zone scores. He may have a couple of nice weeks, but Barden will likely be too inconsistent to own with regularity. Brian Robiskie | Cleveland Browns | 6-foot-3, 209 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The Ohio State product has upside as long as the quarterback situation in Cleveland offers at least average play. We're not willing to bank on that, but if you want to take a chance on him as a sixth receiver, you could do worse. Jordy Nelson | Green Bay Packers | 6-foot-3, 217 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Nelson battled James Jones for the No. 3 job, but Jones' better camp performance won out. The former Kansas State receiver could see extensive work if the 35-year-old Donald Driver (knees) suffers a setback in his bid to recover from dual knee surgery. Nelson is a speculative pick in leagues that roster at least 18 players. James Hardy | Buffalo Bills | 6-foot-5, 220 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The talent could be there, but Hardy just can't stay healthy long enough to showcase it. Don't draft him in single-year leagues. Arrelious Benn | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-foot-2, 220 pounds | Rookie 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Benn struggled this offseason and, like most rookie receivers, deserves little fantasy consideration in single-year leagues. With Josh Freeman at the helm, his chances for first-year contribution aren't great. We would leave him for the wire 10 out of 10 times, but fantasy owners as a whole are taking chances on him. Jason Hill | San Francisco 49ers | 6-foot, 202 pounds | 4th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: There is talent there, but Hill hasn't been able to put it all together or stay healthy. Now he's buried in the pecking order. He should be left for the waiver wire in all leagues. Brian Finneran | Atlanta Falcons | 6-foot-5, 210 pounds | 10th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Finneran is always an injury liability but may start a game or two if Michael Jenkins (shoulder) can't heal in time for the opener. You'd have to be very desperate to begin your season with Finneran on your roster, let alone in your starting lineup. Avoid him in during your draft. Chansi Stuckey | Cleveland Browns | 6-foot, 196 pounds | 4th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Cleveland's likely slot receiver has had his moments, but unfortunately they all came in 2008 with Brett Favre as his quarterback. Avoid him in all formats on draft day. Riley Cooper | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-foot-3, 222 pounds | Rookie 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Cooper beat out veteran Hank Baskett for the fourth receiver job. The consolation prize for Baskett: Kendra Wilkinson. The consolation for fantasy owners: Kendra Wilkinson. Cooper will be inconsistent and shouldn't see enough targets to matter to fantasy owners in 2010. Jerheme Urban | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-foot-3, 207 pounds | 6th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The emergence of rookie Dexter McCluster should leave Urban out in the cold. He isn't worth considering in any league. Ted Ginn Jr. | San Francisco 49ers | 5-foot-11, 180 pounds | 4th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The release of Brandon Jones helps Ginn's cause, and the former Ohio State Buckeye has had a good camp, too. Still, San Fran's run-first system makes even their third receiver irrelevant on draft day. Eric Decker | Denver Broncos | 6-foot-3, 220 pounds | Rookie 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Rookie wideouts rarely make a fantasy impact, and Decker has to ascend the depth chart to see meaningful playing time. Watch him early on as he could be a viable waiver wire addition if he puts it together quickly. Greg Lewis | Minnesota Vikings | 6-foot, 185 pounds | 8th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The injury to Sidney Rice (hip) opens the door for Lewis to see increased playing time. He knows the offense well and could surprise, but we're not banking on it. Greg Camarillo should see more looks; avoid Lewis on draft day. Steve Johnson | Buffalo Bills | 6-foot-2, 202 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Johnson has the build to be successful, but injuries have held him back. He appears to be Buffalo's No. 2 receiver now, which doesn't make anyone all too excited. Consider him only in the deepest of leagues. Donte' Stallworth | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot, 204 pounds | 8th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Stallworth (foot) is up to his injury-prone ways and will miss a large portion of the season with a broken foot. He should be avoided in all drafts. Joey Galloway | Washington Redskins | 5-foot-11, 200 pounds | 16th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Galloway has hardly seen the field in preseason play, but head coach Mike Shanahan says the ancient receiver is a starter. We have a difficult time endorsing Galloway. Watch his early-season play before adding him. Kassim Osgood | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-foot-5, 220 pounds | 8th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The special teams ace wants a chance to play but hasn't done much to earn it this offseason. Ignore Osgood on draft day. Troy Williamson | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-foot-1, 203 pounds | 6th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Williamson flashes his talents on occasion but never can stay healthy long enough for materialization. He should be left for the wire. Andre Caldwell | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-foot, 195 pounds | 3rd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: We like Caldwell as a player, but his situation is less than ideal as the No. 4 receiver. Avoid him in standard leagues. David Anderson | Houston Texans | 5-foot-10, 193 pounds | 5th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: An emergence from Jacoby Jones and a healthy Kevin Walter will keep Anderson at bay following his career season in 2009 (38-370-0). You shouldn't consider Anderson in any format. Deon Butler | Seattle Seahawks | 5-foot-10, 182 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: As a rookie in 2009, Butler caught 15 passes for 175 yards. He's a slot receiver and could play on a rotational basis, but we don't believe he'll see enough touches to matter for fantasy purposes. He has deep full-retention keeper value, though. Michael Clayton | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-foot-4, 215 pounds | 7th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Clayton is battling for a roster spot. If he succeeds, he's probably the fourth receiver. We shouldn't need to tell you to leave him to the wire. Buster Davis | San Diego Chargers | 6-foot-1, 210 pounds | 4th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Perhaps Davis can make some kind of impact with Vincent Jackson out of the lineup for at least three games, maybe six or more. Davis has size and speed but needs to play more than the five games he has in the last two years. Avoid him in all formats. Harry Douglas | Atlanta Falcons | 6-foot, 182 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: The second-year Louisville product is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament and fits the prototypical slot role. He has mild value if Atlanta's passing game flourishes. Leave Douglas for the wire. Arnaz Battle | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-foot-1, 208 pounds | 8th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Battle is, at best, the fourth receiver for the Steelers this year and will likely contribute on special teams. Don't draft him in any format. Brad Smith | New York Jets | 6-foot-2, 210 pounds | 5th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Smith doesn't touch the ball enough to warrant fantasy consideration in any league. Dwayne Jarrett | Carolina Panthers | 6-foot-4, 219 pounds | 4th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Jarrett hasn't shown enough in his three years to deserve a draft selection in any format. Sam Hurd | Dallas Cowboys | 6-foot-3, 208 pounds | 5th year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: We like Hurd's skill set, but he won't see the ball enough to be drafted in any league. Derrick Williams | Detroit Lions | 5-foot-11, 197 pounds | 2nd year 2010 Projected NFL/Fantasy Football Statistics
Fantasy tip: Williams should be Detroit's slot receiver, but he shouldn't be yours in any format.
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Author Bio
Cory J. Bonini Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts. Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012. Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL Featured LinksTalk Sports 24/7! Recent articles:
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