Word to the Winners: Fantasy Football Advice

2007 NFL Free Agents: Wide Receivers -- By Russ Bliss

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While this list contains some names that definitely have talent, there really are no elite players in the 2007 free agent class at this position. Most of the guys listed are more in the mold of a complimentary WR than a true #1. But when looking for fantasy football help a good complimentary WR can perform above expectations when paired with a dominant one. And there’s always the chance that a guy like Donte Stallworth, who has flashed dominant performances in the past but hasn’t been able to be consistent, could end up being a real surprise and find himself high up on some 2007 fantasy football rankings.

Donte Stallworth: Stallworth signed a 6 year deal with the New England Patriots, but in reality, it’s very cap friendly for the first year and if he doesn’t perform up to expectations, he’ll be a free agent again in 2008 as he’ll be due some big roster bonuses at that time. Reports of Stallworth’s participation in the league’s substance abuse program I’m sure scared the Patriots and others from giving him a rich contract with a lot of up front money as a violation could land Stallworth a suspension. Now that the legal aspects are explained, the Patriots scored big with Stallworth. He’s a big play WR and had some impressive games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 and proved me wrong in my comments in our fantasy football forums. He also had injury problems, which has marked his entire NFL career. If Stallworth can stay healthy, he should quickly establish himself as Tom Brady’s top target and find himself as a solid fantasy WR #2 in the 2007 fantasy football rankings.

Joe Horn: After refusing to take a pay cut to stay in New Orleans, Horn was released by the Saints. It didn’t take long for WR starved Atlanta to sign him to a 4 year deal. The Falcons are hoping the 35 year old Horn has some big play ability left so they can quiet the discontentment Falcons fans have had with their WR corps the last few seasons. Likely to start for Atlanta and mentor their young, underachieving group of WR’s, Horn needs to both establish a solid relationship with Michael Vick early in training camp and also avoid the injury bug that has plagued him the last 2 seasons if he is to hope to for some love in his 2007 fantasy football projections.

Drew Bennett: After a 2004 season that saw Bennett go from being a fantasy football sleeper to a coveted player on fantasy teams, Bennett showed that he really isn’t cut out to be a team’s #1 WR. Tall and smart, but not particularly fast, Bennett struggled in both 2005 and 2006 in that capacity for the Tennessee Titans and subsequently found himself signing a 6 year deal with St. Louis, where he’ll be either the Rams #3 WR, or battling with Isaac Bruce for the #2 spot. It’s actually a great situation for Bennett’s fantasy prospects as Bruce can’t continue to defy fantasy pundits by remaining a viable starter for the Rams forever. Sooner or later, age will creep up on him and Bennett will be able to resume the role where he excelled at: a great complimentary WR to a strong #1.

Ashley Lelie: After being discontent in Denver before the 2006 season started and complaining he wanted to go to a team where he could be their #1, Lelie spent the 2006 season in Atlanta after being traded to the Falcons. It didn’t exactly work out the way he had hoped, but now for 2007, Lelie finds himself in position to compete for, and prove he is, a #1 WR in San Francisco. Lelie’s speed will stretch the field against opponents and bring a big play element for young QB Alex Smith that was missing in 2006. Lelie still carries the stigma of being a soft WR who doesn’t go over the middle for the tough catches, so he will have to get over that if he is to really excite fantasy owners. But since there is a limited amount of competition for him in San Francisco, Lelie could be a good 2007 fantasy football sleeper.

Kelley Washington: Washington breaks the traditional mold of New England Patriot WR’s who are short, speedy guys. Washington is a big WR who never really developed in Cincinnati as expected. Of course, the quick emergence of other WR’s in Cincinnati probably had something to do with it, but now Washington finds himself as another free agent WR signed to a multi-year deal by the Patriots, but because of how it’s structured can easily turn out to be just a one year deal. I like the signing here and think Washington’s size gives him a role other New England WR’s can’t execute. Depending on how he does in training camp will go a long way to determining if Washington finds himself on the fantasy football rankings come August.

Bobby Wade: Going into his 5th NFL season, Wade was signed by the Minnesota Vikings to a 5 year deal. A smaller WR, he’s never made a significant fantasy contribution in his career and isn’t likely to compete for more than the 3rd WR spot for the Vikings. His main contribution may come most from his adequate kick and punt return abilities and for the purposes of fantasy football, it’s only in those leagues where you get those special team yards where he will warrant any spot on a 2007 fantasy football cheat sheet.

Wes Welker: While Kelley Washington breaks the mold, Welker continues in the tradition of the smaller WR’s the New England Patriots prefer, going from the Miami Dolphins to the Patriots. Welker is a versatile WR who has strong kick and punt return abilities. The Patriots signed Donte Stallworth to be a starter, and Welker likely will move into the #3 slot position where his smaller size is disguised. With last year’s rookie in New England, Chad Jackson, likely to miss at least the first month of the season, the team needed to get someone who could compliment Stallworth and Reche Caldwell, compete with Washington, and also replace Troy Brown (an unrestricted free agent who may retire after a 14 year career) in that slot role.

Dennis Northcutt: A small and speedy WR, Northcutt breaks the mold of big, tall, physical WR’s the Jaguars went with in 2006. Best suited as a #3 WR working from the slot, Northcutt will step right into that capacity for Jacksonville. Considering the underachieving nature of the Jags WR’s, there’s even a chance Northcutt could find himself providing some unexpected fantasy football help to owners in 2007.

Shaun McDonald: McDonald signed a two year deal with the Detroit Lions and gets reunited with Mike Martz. His experience in Martz’s system could help him leap frog the underachieving Mike Williams and get time as the Lions #3 WR. Though small, McDonald has good speed and likely at best puts up comparable numbers to what Az-zahir Hakim had when he was the Rams #3 years ago.

Bryan Gilmore: Gilmore, re-signed by the San Francisco 49ers, is a hard working WR, but lacks special size and skills. There’s little reason to think Gilmore emerges from obscurity to any type of fantasy football consideration, but given the lack of quality WR’s in San Francisco, the reluctance of 49ers free agent signee Ashley Lelie to go over the middle, the fact that Aznaz Battle has problems staying healthy, and Gilmore could find himself with a consistent role. But it’s not going to be one where he warrants fantasy consideration.

Quincy Morgan: Re-signed by the Denver Broncos, Morgan’s career has gone from budding star to “Where’s Waldo?”. After failing to catch a pass in Denver last year, Morgan’s primary duties were on special teams. Morgan may compete for the #3 WR spot, but more likely he’s the 4th or 5th WR and the over/under on his receptions in 2007 is around 8.

Alvis Whitted: Whitted returns to the Oakland Raiders in 2007 and while his stats from last year were unimpressive, one wonders if that is more a reflection of the pitiful nature of the entire Raiders offense in 2006. With rumors swirling about an impending trade of Randy Moss to the Green Bay Packers, Whitted may have a chance to compete for a starting spot. But I’m tempering any enthusiasm about his chances of making any fantasy football news.

Bethel Johnson: Leaves the Minnesota Vikings and signed a 1 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Considering the Eagles have a bunch of unproven or mediocre WR’s behind Reggie Brown, Johnson may have a chance to compete for some decent playing time. His early career has been non-descript though, failing to live up expectations originally in New England, washing out of New Orleans, and inconsistent with Minnesota last year.

There are still a lot of guys available in the 2007 NFL free agent class at WR. I’ve separated those available by their designation of restricted free agents (RFA’s), and unrestricted free agents (UFA’s). Restricted free agents have offers on the table by their NFL teams but can sign with other teams. Their 2006 team can then either match any offer that player receives, or they can let him go and perhaps get compensation in return. Unrestricted free agents can sign with any team with no compensation to their 2006 club.

Restricted Free Agents

D.J. Hackett: Hackett came on strong the second half of 2006 for the Seattle Seahawks filling in for Darrell Jackson and Bobby Engram. It’s not unforeseeable for Hackett to compete for, and maybe win a starting job for Seattle in 2007. That would make Hackett rise on the 2007 fantasy football rankings at the WR position and give those who play in dynasty style fantasy football leagues a prime sleeper to grab now if they’re able. Like with Crayton and Carter, Hackett would cost another team a 2nd round pick to sign him away from the Seahawks.

Patrick Crayton: Crayton emerged as a legitimate #3 WR for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006 and while his role won’t expand beyond that with the team deciding to keep both Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn for the 2007 NFL season, he does have some nice upside and should injury push him into a starting role, he might surprise. The Cowboys have made him an offer that would cost another team a 2nd round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft if he signed with someone else.

Drew Carter: Carter beat out Keary Colbert to become a solid #3 WR for the Carolina Panthers in 2006. Possessing excellent speed and big play ability, Carter has a chance to push aging veteran Keyshawn Johnson for a starting gig opposite Steve Smith. Besides a tender offer that would cost another team a 2nd round pick to sign Carter away from Carolina, there’s also concern about an injury history that cost him all of his rookie season in 2004, and most of the 2005 season.

Ernest Wilford: In the merry-go-round of Jacksonville Jaguar WR’s who put up some great individual games in 2006, Wilford was a steady thud of consistent mediocrity week in and week out. Possessing great size but little speed, Wilford’s biggest contributions come from his making clutch NFL catches that unless they are jump balls in the end zone (which there were almost none of thrown his way in 2006) usually don’t translate into anything meaningful for fantasy purposes. Still, Wilford must figure into Jacksonville’s plans in 2007 as it would cost another team a 2nd round pick to sign him away.

Terrence Copper: Copper is an interesting spot. With the departure of Joe Horn, Copper will compete with Devery Henderson for the New Orleans Saints #2 WR position providing no one else signs him away. The Saints didn’t tender Copper a big offer, but they made him what is called a “Right of First Refusal” (referred to often as “ROTF”) restricted free agent which means depending on the size of the contract another team would sign Copper to would dictate the amount and level of draft pick compensation the Saints would get in return if they decided to not match it. Copper had 2 really good games back to back in November last year, but after gaining the interest of fantasy football leagues, disappeared into mediocrity the rest of the season. If he stays in New Orleans, and if he can beat out Henderson for a starting spot, Copper could be a prime 2007 fantasy football sleeper.

Samie Parker: After being given the chance to prove himself as a starter with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2006, Parker’s performance fell short of what the team had hoped for. Parker dropped a lot of passes and given that he doesn’t possess desirable size in a starting WR, it probably has cost him the chance to start again in 2007. The Chiefs tendered Parker a contract offer that would require another team to fork out a 4th round to sign him away and likely they would let him go if someone did. That said, I don’t expect another team will and I expect Parker will be back in Kansas City and working more often as the #3 WR.

Clarence Moore: Moore is a towering WR (6’6”, 220 lbs) who after displaying some ability as a rookie with the Baltimore Ravens in 2004 has fallen out of favor with only 5 receptions in 2005 and 2006 combined. The rookie promise from 2004 is considered a fluke by many as it was deemed he was a raw project coming out of college. Maybe there’s a work ethic issue, or maybe he’s just not tough for a big WR. But considering it would only cost a 6th round pick to sign him to a contract and if the Ravens didn’t match it, it seems like Moore should be getting a shot somewhere.

Devard Darling: Darling is another Ravens WR who only because he was originally drafted in a higher round than Moore would cost another team a 3rd round pick to sign him away. However, Darling has exactly 2 catches on his NFL resume in 3 seasons and just doesn’t appear likely to be signed away by anyone, nor does he look like he has any value for fantasy purposes in 2007. I could be wrong though as Darling does possess good size, but how could he only catch 2 passes in 3 years (both coming back in 2004) in WR needy Baltimore if he were really any good?

Unrestricted Free Agents

Kevin Curtis: Curtis likely would have already signed with someone if not for firing his agent and having to wait, by rule, 5 days to hire a new agent. It shouldn’t take long for him to land with a team and compete for a starting job. Having been the 3 WR for the St. Louis Rams the last couple of seasons, Curtis has displayed great speed and big play ability, even when filling in as a starter. Curtis isn’t a big WR though so he likely is more of a complimentary WR to a strong #1 than a top guy himself.

Antonio Bryant: Released by the San Francisco 49ers after only one season there, Bryant may find it hard to find a new team. He’ll have to miss the first two games of the 2007 season wherever he signs (if he gets signed by that time) as those will be the last two games of a league imposed 4 game suspension for a DUI arrest last year. Bryant has good talent and skills, but they’re not elite, and that’s why he may have trouble finding a suitor for his services. His attitude and antics have gotten him run out of three cities now and he may need a serious reality check.

Eric Moulds: After getting a 4 year, 14 million dollar contract from the Houston Texans when they traded for him, a lot more was expected from Moulds than the 557 yards and 1 TD he put up in 2006. Apparently, the Texans thought so too and cut him. Going into his 12th NFL season, Moulds has lots of starting experience and while his skills may be in decline, he should find another team looking for a veteran presence at WR. But it’s highly unlikely he’ll be in the top 30 2007 fantasy football rankings for WR’s.

Corey Bradford: As I stated back in July last year in my fantasy football sleepers article Bradford is a classic underachiever who never lives up to expectations no matter how big the hype. Last year’s signing, looking impressive, could be starting, getting cut, re-signing, and finishing the season with 14 catches as a Detroit Lion was the last straw for Bradford. I don’t care where he ends up, he’s not worth taking in any fantasy football draft.

Bobby Engram: Engram missed more than half of the 2006 season with a thyroid condition and at age 34, retirement could be in his future. His contract with the Seattle Seahawks was up at the end of the 2006 season and there has been no word on him actively looking to pursue his career.

Andre Davis: Davis had a productive special team’s season for the Buffalo Bills in 2006, but only caught 2 passes. Once thought of as a guy who could make some news in fantasy football projections, Davis appears to be headed into obscurity.

Travis Taylor: Taylor has been a model of mediocrity throughout his NFL career. He wasn’t going to command a lot of attention in fantasy football leagues to begin with, but it became even harder to envision him really catching on and playing a big role on another NFL team after a New Years Eve incident involving police, a taser gun, and bail.

Keenan McCardell: There comes a time when it just becomes obvious that a player’s skills have eroded to the point where he should bow out gracefully. McCardell has reached that point after producing only 437 yards and no TD’s in 2006. The San Diego Chargers released McCardell and after 16 years in the NFL, a retirement announcement should be forthcoming.

Justin Gage: Going into his 5th season, Gage has been hyped up almost every year as being on the verge of breaking out for the Chicago Bears. But he’s never even come close. Gage possesses great size and good speed, but just doesn’t seem to play up his measurables. Maybe a change of scenery will get him back on track, but Gage would have to be considered as only one of the deepest of the 2007 fantasy football sleepers even in the right situation.

Troy Brown: As I referred to earlier, after 14 NFL seasons Brown is likely to retire. If he doesn’t, I can’t see him going back to New England after they’ve signed 3 free agent WR’s. And it’s not like his skills have held up to the point where he’d be more than the 4th WR on any other team in the NFL.

Brandon Stokley: Only those who were lucky enough to have Stokley on their fantasy team’s in 2004 ever expected him to be more than a one year flash in the pan. After all that was his 6th season in the NFL and had done nothing prior to that. In fact, he’s done nothing since then too. 2006 was a miserable, injury plagued season for Stokley, and his release by the Indianapolis Colts shows that they aren’t hopeful in a complete return to health after rupturing his Achilles tendon in December.

At this point, the remaining names are even more brutal to write any type of fantasy football evaluation for, but here goes.

Az-zahir Hakim: Going into the 2006 free agent period, Hakim was considered to be a decent available WR. But lingering knee and hip injuries kept him from being picked up until after the first week of the season. Even then, his time in Detroit ended mysteriously ended abruptly and it took over a month for him to find himself in San Diego the last couple of games of 2006. There’s been no talk of Hakim at all in 2007 and you have to wonder if he’ll sign anywhere.

Aaron Moorehead: If not for the injury to Brandon Stokley in Indianapolis last year, nobody would even know Moorehead was a WR for the Colts. The team has made no attempt to bring him back, so you have to wonder if anyone else will.

Terrence Wilkins: The only touches Wilkins has in the last 4 seasons have been on special teams. He has no fantasy value at all.

Karl Hankton: I know. You’re asking “who is Karl Hankton?” and I’m wondering why I’m even writing anything about him. 20 catches for 267 yards and no TD’s in the last seven seasons in Carolina are all you need to know about him and his prospects in the NFL and fantasy football in 2007.

Sean Morey: Read Karl Hankton’s write-up and you have Morey. Since 1999, he’s caught 3 passes for 37 yards (all in the last 3 with the Pittsburgh Steelers).

Troy Walters: Walters is too small to be more than a 4th WR for any team in the NFL and his return abilities have declined over the years.

Cortez Hankton: After reading about Karl Hankton’s career stats, Cortez’s 34 career catches for 310 yards and 2 TD’s in 4 NFL seasons with Jacksonville sound great. That’s the only way they sound great.

Lee Mays: Every year the past 4 seasons I’ve heard hype about Mays in Pittsburgh, and every year it’s like he has a permanent cloaking device around him come Sunday.

Willie Ponder: Ponder is a kickoff return specialist with more kickoff returns for TD’s in the last 3 years (2) than receptions (1).

Alex Bannister: Bannister is a special team’s gunner. That’s his only contribution in the NFL the last 6 years and injuries have taken that away from him.

Russ Bliss is Fantasy Football Starters.com's exclusive fantasy football expert, a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, and for 11 years has been the radio host of "The Red Zone, Talking Fantasy Football and the NFL," in Phoenix, Arizona.

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