Roscoe Parrish

The Bills are pretty deep at wide receiver entering the season so the ball may end up getting spread around pretty good once the season starts, but we see little reason why Parrish can't secure the No. 3 slot receiver spot, where he was enjoying a nice season last year with a 33/400/2 line in eight games before getting hurt. He's a good slot man who will make some nice plays with Chan Gailey running the controls, but the upside at his size and inability to be a red zone guy is minimal.

Parrish saw plenty of work at slot receiver this offseason. He was a ghost in Dick Jauron's offense and special teams in 2009, but it looks like he'll get a fresh slate under new coach Chan Gailey, who's a lot more creative than Jauron and is known for getting playmakers like Parrish the ball. That said, this offense doesn't have a top-20 player at any position, so there's a long way to go. Counting on the third wideout -- one who has historically had trouble creating separation from press coverage -- may end up being a fool's game.

Parrish finished the 2008 season with 24 catches for 232 yards and a touchdown while playing in 13 games. Parrish has world class speed, but he's just not big and physical enough to get consistent separation from defenses. His best asset to the Bills is his punt return skills, as he averaged an impressive 15.3 yards while taking one to the house. He's led the league in punt return average for two straight years. However, if you're thinking he can help you as a receiver, note that Parrish has only had over 60 receiving yards in a game once in his entire four-season NFL career, and he's at best the No. 4 guy for the Bills this season. There was even talk the team was trying to trade him this offseason, though that never materialized.

Parrish is a talented punt returner whose diminutive size (5-9, 171) may prohibit him from becoming anything more than a No. 3 or No. 4 NFL receiver. He set career highs with 35 receptions and 352 yards last season, but his role in the offense is unlikely to increase in 2008 and may actually decline with second-round pick James Hardy assured to receive his own share of the receiving pie. Expect minimal change from last year’s numbers.

Parrish had career highs in receptions and yards last season, with 23 catches for 320 yards and two touchdowns. One of the quicker players in the league, as a punt returner he finished second in the AFC behind Pacman Jones with an 11.4 average on 32 attempts that included an 82-yard TD. Expect Parrish's receiving stats to improve again this year, as he should see more time in the slot. However, Parrish should only be an option in deep leagues because Lee Evans hogs so many of the targets, though Parrish has a little extra value if your league counts returns.

Although the previous coaching staff was quite high on him (most of his 2005 deason was lost due to a wrist injury), Parrish isn't even being discussed for the vacant #2 receiving job following the trade of Eric Moulds, and he's being looked at as more of a slot receiver/return man at this point in his young and still promising career. You should eye him for return leagues, but keep him off your wish list for the receiver position, possibly until next season.

While the Bills won't throw enough to give Parrish immediate fantasy value, he spent the mini-camps showing why you should put more than first-round picks on your long-term radar screen. If your league goes so deep that third and fourth wideouts matter, Parrish is probably a better play than Josh Reed or Sam Aiken due to his explosiveness, potential and return abilities.

Parrish was an exciting playmaker for the Miami Hurricanes, averaging 16.1 yards per catch and 16.2 yards per punt return. His small size (5-foot-9, 168) means he'll work exclusively out of the slot, with his early upside being a Wayne Chrebet or Reggie Wayne type threat. He's the early favorite to be the No. 1 punt returner, while he'll be in the mix for the #3 wideout spot with Josh Reed and Sam Aiken. In 2005, we like his fantasy value as a return man, but the Bills don't pass enough to make him a good fantasy option as a receiver, even if he does win the job.