Faceoff - WR Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

Posted 6/19, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Mark Wimer

Marques Colston is Drew Brees' favorite target - that's pretty rarefied company, considering that Brees has thrown for 4400+ passing yards every season since arriving in New Orleans. As an added bonus, Colston is young (he'll be 25 this year) and just now entering his 3rd year in the league - that's when a lot of players take their game to a new level after getting used to the pro game. Colston snagged 98/1202/11 last year, with 143 targets over 16 games, compared with 70/1038/8 during 2006 (with 115 targets over 14 games). In other words, he improved in every relevant fantasy category from his rookie campaign to his sophomore season in the NFL, including staying healthy enough to play in 16 games last year. The sky looks like the limit for him entering his 3rd NFL campaign. It would be no surprise to see him land among the top 5 fantasy wide receivers this year - just outside of Randy Moss/Reggie Wayne/Terrell Owens territory, or maybe even on a par with those guys.

There isn't a legitimate challenger for #1 WR on this team other than Colston, so his role is secure, but there are an array of other gifted pass catchers on the team that compliment him by filling certain roles. The above means opposing teams can't roll a lot of coverage to blanket Colston, because the other weapons on the team will burn the competition if they concentrate on him too much. David Patten is a reliable move-the-chains, steady-Eddie type veteran (88 targets for 54/792/3 receiving last year); Devery Henderson is the burner deep threat (he's averaged over 20 yards per catch in 2 straight seasons, with 32/745/5 during 2006 and 20/409/3 last year); and 2nd-year developmental project Robert Meacham is a guy the team hopes becomes their WR2 by the end of the year. Terrance Copper is good for the occasional grab as well as return duties, providing a viable 4th WR in 4-wide sets. TE Eric Johnson has been solid since arriving from San Francisco, posting 48/378/2 in his inaugural campaign as a Saint. As you can see, Colston has plenty of compatriots drawing defenders away from what he's doing on the field.

You could definitely do much worse than to have Drew Bree's favorite target as your #1 fantasy wide-out - Colston should be on your short list for primary fantasy receiver on your squad(s) this year.

Downside - by Cecil Lammey

Many people were concerned that Colston would have a Michael Clayton like drop after his phenomenal rookie season. Fortunately for Marques Colston owners it didn't happen, and in fact Colston's stats improved in his second year. When looking at the big picture it appears Marques did not have a sophomore slump, but that doesn't mean he didn't have his owners worried and frustrated in 2007.

Through the first seven weeks of the season Colston, who was a WR1 in some leagues, was without a 100-yard game, and had only scored 2 TDs all year. People were panicked as the Saints offense was struggling, and Drew Brees seemed to have lost his magic with Colston from the previous year. He finished strong with seven of his last nine weeks at near or over 100-yards, and that three-TD game in Week 8 really had his owners grinning with pride.

Colston is no longer the only trick that the Saint's passing game has up it's sleeve. David Patten provided a proven, veteran target for Drew Brees in 2007, and even bigger things are expected out of him in 2008. Robert Meachem's rookie season was a wash, but his second year could be bright. The Saints would love for him to take over the WR2 job, and become the type of playmaker that he was in college. New Orleans even went out and drafted Adrian Arrington, the talented rookie WR from Michigan. If Eric Johnson could ever stay healthy he would command a few looks in the passing game as well. Marques Colston is fantastic, but beware how soon you draft him for your fantasy team. He could have very well reached his ceiling in 2007, and will have to share more passes with the Saint's other receivers in 2008.