Legedu Naanee

Naanee was one of Vincent Jackson’s holdout replacements early in the year before a hamstring injury derailed his season, and he managed decent production on his 46 targets (8.1 YPT, 16.1 YPC) – thanks in large part to having Philip Rivers throwing him the ball. At 6-2, 225 and with above-average speed, Naanee has the tools to be a good receiver, but the Chargers let him walk this offseason (perhaps partly due to an arrest for public drunkenness in February) and his value will likely decrease now that he's a Panther. With Jimmy Clausen, Cam Newton and Derek Anderson battling for snaps, it's probably not a great year for receivers in Carolina.

Naanee is one of the players who stands to benefit the most from Vincent Jackson's potential trade or holdout. If Jackson is not around, Naanee will likely step into the starting lineup due to the increasing familiarity that he developed with Philip Rivers last season.

Naanee has not caught more than eight passes in either of his two seasons as a pro, but he is a good bet to at least add a few to that total in 2009. Naanee had a couple really big catches for the Bolts as they streaked into the postseason, and you got the sense that Phillip Rivers has a lot of trust in him. Naanee will likely open up the season as the number four wide receiver, and he could easily move up if one of the top wide outs falls to injury.

Naanee only made eight catches last season, but he figures to be more involved with the offense in 2008. In the AFC Divisional Playoffs he made a huge 27-yard reception during the Chargers' fourth quarter comeback against the Colts and has reportedly been having a very good offseason of practices. He very well might be able to fight with Buster Davis for the number three wideout spot this year.

Naane is getting some work at tight end during training camp, but he doesn't figure to get much playing time this season.