Who is the 2007 Marques Colston?
posted in 2007 Rookies, Fantasy Football, 2007 NFL Draft |
Is there a Marques Colston in the 2007 NFL Draft Class?
Marques Colston burst onto the scene in 2006 with a 1,038 yard and 8 touchdown season, despite missing a pair of games. He was a crucial pick ups in fantasy leagues everywhere and helped propel the Saints to the NFC title game, despite being a 7th round pick. So who has the highest chance of being the 2007 Marques Colston? The odds are stacked against any late round receiver making an impact in his rookie season, but we quizzed the experts to find out the most likely candidates.
Joel Filani, Texas Tech - Tennessee Titans
The 6′ 2″ 211 pound receiver was selected in the 6th round (188 overall) by the Tennessee Titans. Filani played in a pass happy system since he was a red shirt freshman in 2003. He has gotten better each year and was All Big 12 as a junior. As a senior in 2006 he put up incredible numbers, catching 91 balls for 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns. Filani has speed, running a 4.49 at the combine, but was penalized in his draft evaluation due to the offense he played in. Some scouts thought he was a product of the system. Filani will be given every chance to produce for the receiver thin Tennessee Titans.
Chansi Stuckey, Clemson - New York Jets
Chansi Stuckey was originally considered a definite first day pick, but a lingering foot injury limited him in post season action. Stuckey, who had ran a sub 4.40 40 yard dash on campus prior to his senior season, only could muster a 4.60 at the combine. Stuckey was first team All ACC as a junior, but the injury knocked him out for four games during the 06 season. He goes to the Jets, where he immediately could step in as the third receiver, if he has a strong training camp. Stuckey is a smart player who should fit well in the Jets system, which relies on short passes and the receivers making plays.
Courtney Taylor, Auburn - Seattle Seahawks
Courtney Taylor played at Auburn, so he played against top-notch competition on a daily basis. Like Colston, scouts didn’t feel that Taylor had top-notch speed so he slid down draft boards and was finally selected in the 6th Round by the Seattle Seahawks. Again, like the situation that Marques Colston fell into, Taylor has the opportunity to go and play for an offensive minded coach who does not mind throwing the football. The Seattle Seahawks made a draft day trade that sent incumbent WR Darrell Jackson to the San Fransisco 49ers, so that opens up the depth chart for someone to step up and make plays. Deion Branch is entrenched as the #1 WR, but whose to say that the trio of Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram, and DJ Hackett are going to set the world on fire, and they have had injury concerns in the past as well. Marques Colston needed a trade of Donte Stallworth to the Philadelphia Eagles to allow him to move up the depth chart a year ago in New Orleans, can lighting strike twice? Maybe not. Marques Colston might just be a once in a decade type late-round rookie performance, but if such an occurrence is going to happen in the 2007 season, it is most likely to come from WR Courtney Taylor.
