Faceoff - WR Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks

Posted 8/3, exclusive to Footballguys.com

Upside - by Sigmund Bloom

When I see Bobby Engram's ADP in 30s at WR, I think I must be missing something. His track record and the Seattle depth chart dictate that Engram could easily be the guy drafted as a low WR3 who ends up being solid a WR2. Despite his advanced age, the Seahawks let the younger, more talented D.J. Hackett walk, and they didn't spend heavily on a new WR in the draft or free agency. Mike Holmgren and Matt Hasselbeck are going to depend on Engram, and at his modest price, so should you.

With D.J. Hackett and Deion Branch battling injuries all year, Bobby Engram had the best season of his career. He set career highs in catches (94), yards (1147), and tied his career high in TD receptions (6). This year, Hackett is in Carolina, and Branch is again rehabbing from an injury and unlikely to be a major factor until later in the season. That means that Engram will reprise his starting role of 2007.

It's hard to imagine his numbers dropping off significantly from the '07 performance that made him the 15th best WR in fantasy football. He's been Matt Hasselbeck's security blanket since reality TV shows were a new venture on American television, and their mind meld will continue to be the backbone of the passing offense. If you're scared by Engram's age (35), I understand, but that's likely overreacting. Engram's game is based more of sure hands, precise routes, and savvy field awareness, skills that do not erode with age. The nice thing is that the other likely opening day starting WR, Nate Burleson, is also going at WR3 prices. Either way, with the efficiency Hasselbeck has shown over the years, and the weak nature of NFC West competition, you want a piece of this passing game.

Bobby Engram always catches at least 2/3 of his targets, and unless the Seahawks make one of the most shocking moves in years by trading yet again for a top WR during training camp, Engram should get targets befitting a number 1 WR, and he deserves to be starting every week in leagues where you start 3 WR or a flex, or PPR leagues. While everyone else is trying to come up with reasons that he can't repeat his 2007 performance, you can swoop in and grab your WR2 in the 7th or 8th round.

Downside - by Marc Levin

Career years from 34-year old receivers are not usually chased by a repeat performance. Especially not a career year like WR Bobby Engram had in 2007. Statistically, 2007 was a complete anomaly when compared to the rest of Engram's 11-year career. Moreover, Engram's success in 2007 can be attributed to one essential factor -- he was all the team had. He did not just eclipse his prior target numbers; he absolutely crushed them. In 2007, Engram had five double-digit target games, including a 21-target game against Cleveland. Can an owner really count on that many targets again this year? Consider the fact that Deon Branch is returning, Nate Burleson and some of the younger receivers are emerging, and the team drafted TE John Carlson in the second round because of his hands. Engram will still probably receive the 4-6 targets per game his owners are used to seeing, but he is not likely to have as many double digit target games as he had in 2007.

Also, the team did not invest as much as it did into free agent RBs to not rediscover its running game. Plus, based on the kind of RBs brought in, the team is likely to use its wealth of speed out of the backfield in the passing game. As reliable as Engram is, and as much as Hasselbeck is likely to lean on him in the red zone and on third down, the team needs to develop its youth. And what happens when Branch returns and the team has a full complement of WRs? Your Engram should still retain decent value to fantasy owners in PPR leagues, but he may be drafted a bit too high this year in either kind of league.

In non-PPR leagues, Engram has actually dropped to WR32/84th overall, which is closer to where he is likely to landing end of year statistics. And, that level of play could still represent Engram's high side rather than a reasonable expectation. Excluding last year's unusual performance, Engram has not finished that high in his position since 1999 when he was still with Chicago. Engram will certainly have a few good games here or there, but he is not likely to be an every game starter for your fantasy squad. And, when selecting your WR3 in the 7th round, you should be looking for a player with significantly greater upside than Engram.