New York Jets release WR Laveranues Coles

February 25, 2009 @ 00:00:00

By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Bryce McRae

ESPNews reports the New York Jets have released wide receiver Laveranues Coles.

Coles was able to put together a solid season despite the offseason loss of Chad Pennington, who Coles had developed strong chemistry with. He caught 70 passes for 850 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. Coles was now-retired quarterback Brett Favre's favorite target last year with an average of 7.88 looks per game. However, he was only able to surpass the 100-yard mark once. His touchdown total was the highest since 2001, and he was able to improve on his totals from 2007, though his per-game averages were down. Coles has been a possession receiver during his career with just 12.8 yards per reception.

At 31, Coles should still have a couple of productive years left but likely won't be a No. 1 receiver with his new team. An optimal situation could be signing with a team that will pair him up with a deep threat. His value is hard to determine at this point since he has no team. For now, Coles should be considered a weak No. 3 fantasy wide receiver until he joins a team.

Two players who likely will be the beneficiaries of this move are wide receiver Chansi Stuckey and tight end Dustin Keller. Stuckey was able to post decent numbers last season despite not seeing a significant amount of playing time. He caught 32 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in 15 games. Stuckey went three games without a reception and two games with only one reception during the season. He might compete for the starting job opposite wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery, but Stuckey is probably more suited as a slot receiver.

Keller put together a fine rookie season, catching 48 passes for 535 yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. He had four games with at least five receptions and one game with more than 100 yards receiving. He has a great shot to be the starting tight end in 2009, so Keller should take some of Coles' receptions. Tight ends typically need at least one year to develop, too.

Wide receiver David Clowney spent the majority of 2008 on the inactive list. One of New York's few deep threats, he has just one reception in his career. Don't consider him in any drafts.

Who starts at quarterback will play a factor in the fantasy value here. Favre retired and Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff should compete for the No. 1 job. However, both are relatively inexperienced, and it wouldn't be a surprise if they brought in another arm to compete for the job.

The Jets may also look to draft a speedy wide receiver early this year; they lacked a true deep threat last year. University of Maryland wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey or University of Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin could be possibilities.

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Tim Piotrowski
Piotrowski has been a Hot Off the Wire analyst since 2007.

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