Impact Analysis: Eddie Royal, Denver Broncos

May 13, 2008 @ 12:38:33

By Thomas Griffenkranz
Edited by Herija C. Green

The Denver Broncos have spent a good deal of their offseason revamping a receiving unit that ranked 13th in yards (2,445) during the 2007 season. A trend that continued with the selection of Virginia Tech wideout Eddie Royal in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. In addition to Royal, the Broncos have added receivers Keary Colbert (Carolina Panthers), Darrell Jackson (San Francisco 49ers) and Samie Parker (Kansas City Chiefs) during the offseason. The Broncos also released wide receiver Javon Walker (knee), who has since signed with the Oakland Raiders.

In Royal, the Broncos get a slot receiver that could have an immediate impact as a return man during his rookie season. During his senior season at Virginia Tech, Royal averaged 14.7 yards per punt return and 22.6 yards per kickoff return. The Broncos, on the other hand, averaged 9.1 yards per punt return (14th in the NFL) and 22.3 yards per kickoff return (18th) in 2007.

At 5-foot-10 and just 184 pounds, Royal is a bit undersized by NFL standards. He helps make up for his lack of size with blazing speed and the kind of elusiveness that should allow him to become a very good slot receiver down the road.

As a receiver, Royal may find it hard to have much of an impact in 2008. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (arm) suffered a serious injury as the result of a freak accident during the offseason, but he expects to be ready for training camp and is the Broncos No. 1 wide receiver. After Marshall, Jackson is the early favorite to win the No. 2 job, while veteran wideout Brandon Stokley appears to be locked in as the No. 3 receiver.

Potentially further hindering Royal's impact are Colbert and Parker. Colbert, who spent the first four years of his NFL career in Carolina, comes to Denver to battle for the No. 2 receiver position but will likely have to beat out Jackson to get it. Parker, who signed just before the draft, may find himself as the odd man out. He had only 24 receptions in 2007 and could struggle to match that if the other receivers stay healthy.

Fantasy football outlook

Marshall is clearly the Broncos top receiver. In 2007, he hauled in 102 passes for 1,325 yards but was only able to reach the end zone seven times. Marshall should be viewed as a weak No. 1 option in point-per-reception leagues only. Otherwise he is a strong No. 2, although a close eye needs to be kept on his injured arm.

Jackson had a disappointing season last year, accounting for only 497 yards on 46 receptions and three touchdowns. Escaping the offensively inept 49ers should only improve Jackson's overall fantasy value. Prior to joining the 49ers in 2007, Jackson spent seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. During his time in Seattle, Jackson averaged 63 receptions, 921 receiving yards and 6.7 scores per season. He could be slightly undervalued coming off a poor showing in 2007. However, keep in mind Jackson hasn't surpassed 1,000 yards since the 2004 campaign and has totaled fewer than 500 twice in the last three years. Jackson could be worth a late round flier and should be looked at as no better than a No. 5 receiver with moderate upside.

Stokley had 40 catches for 635 yards and five touchdowns last season. Unfortunately, Stokley was once again unable to play in all 16 games for the seventh time in nine NFL seasons. He could still have some value as a No. 5 or No. 6 receiver, but his suspect durability makes him an unreliable option.

Royal has little fantasy value at this point unless you are in a keeper league format with full retention. Colbert and Parker should both go undrafted. If Marshall is slow to recover from his arm injury, look for Colbert or Royal to emerge, thus increasing their overall fantasy value.

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Thomas Griffenkranz
Thomas has been a KFFL contributor since 2007.

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