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WR Josh Reed, Buffalo Bills

HT: 5-10, WT: 203, Born: 5-1-1980, College: LSU, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Best Case

Josh Reed has had an up-and-down career during his six years in the league, but he's generally proven to be an effective slot receiver. He is an excellent blocker and very difficult to tackle after the catch. He's collected at least 30 receptions in every season but one and topped the 50-catch mark twice. If rookie James Hardy is slow to adjust, Reed could hold onto the starting job opposite Lee Evans and would likely finish with numbers slightly better than he put up a year ago.

Worst Case

At this point, the Bills and everyone else have a pretty clear understanding of what Reed can and can't do. He does not appear to have enough speed or separation ability to be effective as an outside receiver. He's much better working inside out of the slot where the CBs aren't normally as good and he can take better advantage of his blocking and run after the catch skills. Because of these limitations, he has limited upside as a fantasy receiver. During his six seasons in the league, in which he has started 35 games, Reed has never topped two TDs in a single season, and he was kept out of the end zone in 2007. Hardy should take over as the No. 2 receiver in Buffalo this year and that will likely mean even fewer opportunities for Reed than he's had in the past.

Outlook

Reed is one of the few reliable veterans on this Bills offense, so he will certainly play a valuable role, but he's probably not going to show much improvement at this point of his career. He'll likely hold onto the starting job until Hardy is ready and then eventually settle into the slot receiver role, where he may also need to compete with Roscoe Parrish for snaps. Unless the Bills show dramatic improvement in their overall passing offense, look for Reed's production to take a hit this year.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Reed led all Buffalo receivers with 37 yards on four balls. He also took a reverse 12 yards and was able to show off the fact that he was a running back at LSU before being converted to WR.

Week 2 - Reed was inactive for the game with a thigh injury.

Week 3 - Reed brought in two catches and made a nice effort on a 21 yard pass from QB Trent Edwards on the sideline.

Week 4 - Reed caught four of his six targets. He had Buffalo's longest gain on a 27 yard reception. Reed also added a 22 yard catch. Reed was unable to hold onto a third down pass with just under two minutes in the game and the Bills were forced to put their fate in the hands of the defense.

Reed gained four yards on an end around.

Week 5 - Reed started for the injured Peerless Price and showed good hands, catching nearly every pass thrown his way in a possession role.

Week 7 - Reed's only reception went for a 25 yard gain. He was targeted in the end zone, but the pass was too high. The play drew a pass interference penalty, however. Reed also dropped a pass he could have caught. Instead, it looked like he was attempting to play volleyball with the pass.

Week 8 - Reed was a reliable target against the Jets, catching four of his six targets for 40 yards.

Week 9 - Reed caught six passes for 55 yards, being a solid possession receiver on the day. He showed good hands and synergy with Losman.

Week 10 - With the game on the line, Reed was targeted once in the fourth quarter. He caught three passes for 40 yards in his role as possession receiver.

Week 11 - Reed made a nice run after catching the ball in the first quarter. He pushed through a few tackles on the way to a twelve yard gain and a first down.

Week 12 - Reed benefited from the Jaguars' fierce pass rush. His underneath routes were often the only option and he made some tough catches, but late in the game with the score out of reach he bailed on a pass over the middle.

Week 13 - Reed led the team with five receptions, and finished second with 67 yards. His biggest catch of the game came on the Bills game-winning drive, when he connected with Edwards for a 30 yard gain that set up Rian Lindell's field goal.

Week 14 - Reed tied for the team lead in receptions with three.

Week 15 - Reed was essentially ineffective catching only three balls for 29 yards. His biggest catch came late in the fourth quarter, a 20 yard gain that kept the Bills' final drive going.

Week 16 - The so-called short yardage specialist in this offense had a tough day, managing to catch only one pass for 11 yards.

Week 17 - A sore back prevented Reed from practicing during the week but he still played. He only caught one pass for 24 yards, but threw a key block on Lynch's 56 yard run.