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WR Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints

HT: 6-4, WT: 223, Born: 6-5-1983, College: Hofstra, Drafted: Round 7

2008 Projections

Best Case

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. Considering Colston snagged 98/1202/11 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.

Worst Case

The Saints' offense was horrid during the first 1/4 of 2007 (Brees had 1 TD and 9 picks in those first 4 games last year), illustrating how easy it is for a team to implode at this level. Colston had 1 TD and zero 100+ yard games during that time span, punishing his fantasy owners out of the gates. If the Saints struggle again this year, the whole unit could go in the tank, taking your fantasy season along with them. Colston's yards per reception also dropped last year (from 14.8 ypc in 2006 to 12.3 ypc in 2007) - if his numbers in that category decline again, he'll have a hard time maintaining his 1000+ yards-receiving totals from his first 2 campaigns.

Outlook

Colston should be a lock for top 10 fantasy WR status, with a floor somewhere among the top 20, making him a solid pick for WR1 among fantasy owners in any standard format. He caught almost 100 passes last year, making him especially attractive in point-per-reception leagues.

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Colston and the Saints receivers had a hard getting open deep and had to settle for short passes underneath the Colts coverage. His longest catch in the first half was a 13 yard pass for a first down with less then one minute in the first half. That would be New Orleans longest pass play until there was less then one minute left in the game. Colston finished the game with six catches for 47 yards.

Week 2 - Colston had nice game, but did most of his damage late with the Buccaneers in deep zone coverage. He was targeted ten times, leading the team in targets and finishing with eight receptions for 70 yards, including a four yard touchdown. Four of Colston's receptions resulted in first downs, and he was clearly Brees' favorite target.

Week 3 - Colston led his team in receiving yards and had a big 37 yard catch that helped set up the first Saint TD. He also came close to scoring in the third quarter (Bush went over from the one on the next play). Inexplicably, Colston was targeted only once in the fourth quarter, a pass that was intercepted and nearly returned for a TD.

Week 5 - Colston saw all of his action in the first half, and appeared to be replaced by Lance Moore. He did drop one pass that was catchable, and had a pass bounce off of his hands that was almost intercepted.

Week 6 - Colston wasn't often targeted by Brees, and the two looks he saw that weren't his touchdown were both dropped.

Week 7 - The Saints tried to get Colston involved in the deep passing game, though were unsuccessful in doing so. Most of his other targets were over the middle of the field where he is expected to make a play after the catch.

Week 8 - Colston was Brees favorite target, catching three of his eight receptions for touchdowns. Brees had a little trouble hitting him early in the game, but did not give up on him. A potential fourth touchdown could have been, but instead was a pass interference call (and Colston couldn't quite hang on to it) that brought the Saints to the one yard line.

Week 9 - Colston took advantage of being targeted frequently to post very good numbers, although he did not get into the end zone. He was utilized mostly on intermediate routes and proved adept at picking up yards after securing the pass. He used his size effectively to keep defenders away from him, which combined with his good route running and Brees' pinpoint passing, contributed to his high number of receptions and yards.

Week 10 - Colston made a nice jumping catch over the middle in the second half that was ruled incomplete despite the Saints' challenge. During the Saints' prolific fourth quarter Colston was QB Drew Brees' go to receiver.

Week 11 - Colston took advantage of being targeted frequently to post very good numbers, although he did not get into the end zone. He was utilized mostly on intermediate routes and proved adept at picking up yards after securing the pass, making defenders miss and taking them on as he was being tackled in an effort to pick up an extra yard or two. Colston used his size effectively to keep defenders away from him, which combined with his good route running and Brees' affinity for targeting him, contributed to his solid numbers, which could have been even bigger had it not been for plays where he was tackled in the end zone as the ball arrived, causing him to drop the ball, and being called for offensive pass interference on a play where he had gained enough yardage for a first down.

Week 12 - Colston caught seven passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. He caught a four yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter to put New Orleans up by 24 points. Five of his seven catches went for first downs. He had two red zone chances and both of them were on the same drive that ended with his touchdown reception.

Week 13 - Marques Colston was targeted just two times in the game, and finished with 39 yards on two receptions. He did have one big play, catching a 40 yard pass that helped set up the Saints first touchdown of the ball game.

Week 14 - Colston had a great night Monday. He was all over the field being utilized as he moved around in the formations. He scored twice on the night. One of the touchdowns was a jumping grab over a cornerback who provided tight coverage. The other touchdown came on a short pass where he turned and stretched the ball over the goalline quickly. It looked like Brees had a lot of confidence in Colston all night.

Week 15 - Colston had a very productive game and found the Cardinals secondary of little resistance. He caught eight balls for 114 yards and one score, an 18 yarder early in the first half. He ran routes with precision and was obviously the game's most feared receiver.

Week 16 - Colston caught both of his targets before leaving the game with a chest contusion.

Week 17 - Colston was extremely busy in the first half of this game, catching two touchdowns and being targeted a team leading sixteen times (tied with Pierre Thomas) before departing with a rib injury. On many drives in the first half, quarterback Drew Brees looked to no other receiver other than Colston, who sat down in the middle of the Bears defense, though he converted on only half of his receiving opportunities.