Brandon Marshall, wide receiver, Miami Dolphins
Every year, the hopes for Brandon Marshall get bigger. Since his breakout season in 2007, the often-disgruntled wide receiver has been one of those “he’s too good to not take” picks, despite his issues on and the off the field.
And he’s done well.
As the go-to-guy in Denver, Marshall made his living as the key contributor to a pass-happy offense. In 2008, for example, the Broncos ran the ball less often than 27 teams in the league — a wide receiver’s dream.
This year, though, Marshall enters his fifth season with a different club in the Miami Dolphins.
After three consecutive 100-plus reception, 1,100-plus yard seasons, Marshall will have a hard time matching his recent numbers with his new team.
Why? Because there are only two teams that ran the ball more than the Dolphins did in 2009.
Specializing in the wildcat formation, the Dolphins’ offense must change its whole dynamic if it plans to accommodate Marshall’s lofty goals. It’s hard to see that happening with a quarterback like Chad Henne and a healthy Ronnie Brown returning to even further bolster Miami’s running attack.
Projected stats: 75 receptions, 760 yards, 7 TDs
Matt Forte, running back, Chicago Bears
If you want a guy with heart, draft Matt Forte. If you want to win your league, don’t.
Forte enters 2010 with several problems. First, a guy named Chester Taylor is breathing down his neck on the Bears’ depth chart. So, right away you can guarantee Forte won’t amass the carries he usually does in an NFL season.
Second, Forte is banged up. Since being drafted in 2008, he’s simply been overworked. In his first year, the Tulane grad ran 316 times. To put that in perspective, the Arizona Cardinals’ entire team ran the ball just 24 more times all of last season.
If that doesn’t steer you away from Forte, check out how many yards per carry he’s gained over the course of his career. Sub-4.0 numbers don’t cut it in the NFL for long and Forte hasn’t improved, dropping from 3.9 yards to 3.6 yards per touch last season.
Projected stats: 710 yards rushing, 5 TDs
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A version of this article appeared in the Aug 27 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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I seriously doubt that Matt Cassel will throw 26 TDs. That's a huge leap for a team with a busted offensive line. That puts him in the company of Tony Romo, Ben Rothlisberger, Kurt Warner and Eli Manning from last year. All guys that I'd rather have way before Cassel. For a guy that only completed 55% of his passes last year and 16 TDs. That's a huge leap. Especially because the Chiefs did not add any huge offensive weapons. Who do you think is going to catch more 10 TDs? Not Chris Chambers (there is a reason he is no longer on the Dolphins or the Chargers, the guy leads the league in drops every year) Cassel may be a good bye week starter or maybe a second QB in some league formats, but if you draft him counting on him to carry your team from week to week you will lose. That I can guarantee.
And Brandon Marshall has very sticky hands and Henne throws a great deep ball, unlike Kyle Orton. Three years of 100 catches is amazing. If he catches 75 balls like you predict, he will have more that 7 TDs. The Dolphins will score points and Marshall is a focal point of that offense. Especially with Ronnie Brown and his injury history and Pretty Ricky getting older by the minute.
I disagree with your analysis.
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