Josh Reed

Reed finished the 2008 season with 56 catches for 597 yards and a touchdown. Statistically this was his second best season. Unfortunately, because of the type of player he is, this is also near his upside. Reed no longer drops many passes, is an excellent blocker, and always seems to move the chains at important times. However, he doesn't have much breakaway speed and his routes tend to be of the shorter variety with few red-zone looks, meaning his touchdowns will never be higher than a handful (his career high is two). Perhaps more important than all this is the Bills' signing of Terrell Owens, which relegates Reed back to No. 3 without question. He'll be his usual valuable self to the Bills in that role, but we're almost certain his numbers will go down. Because he doesn't score much, we'd avoid him in almost any league unless Owens or Lee Evans gets hurt in the preseason.

Reed had one of the best seasons of his six-year career in 2007, but it’s hard to envision his numbers going anywhere but down this season. Second-round pick James Hardy may win the No. 2 job outright in camp, but even if that doesn’t happen, Reed is sure to lose opportunities to the big Indiana rookie. He’ll be battling for touches in a mediocre passing offense, making him nothing more than a fifth or sixth receiver in most leagues.

It's difficult to think of words that describe Reed. He's 27, so he's not developing any more, but he's also not old enough to be considered a veteran. He's not a speed burner, but he also runs very well after the catch. Maybe the best way to describe Reed's fantasy career is underwhelmingly consistent. He's only missed seven games in his five-year stint with the Bills. He's had between 400 and 600 yards in four of his five seasons. He's had catch totals in the 30s three separate times, and he's recorded two touchdowns in four different seasons as well. With Lee Evans and Peerless Price listed as the starting receivers, and with Roscoe Parrish also in the mix, numbers like this should be expected again this season. Reed will either serve as the team's third or fourth receiver, depending on how much playing time the Bills want to give Parrish in the slot, as Parrish is a little younger and a lot faster. If nothing else, at least the Bills have a decent idea of what they'll get out of Reed this season. He is a good team guy, a good blocker, and a solid special teams player, three things that don't count much for your leagues.

With Eric Moulds off to Houston and a brand new coaching staff, Reed has a remote shot at a starting job alongside Lee Evans. Buffalo's new offense is expected to be much more wide open under coordinator Steve Fairchild. Reed has been a fairly big disappointment after a promising rookie year (just 106 catches and four touchdowns over 44 games), but it looks like the team is giving him a fresh start, perhaps enough to make him that final "What the heck?" pick in a deep draft. The No. 2 role is far from a sure thing, and we say Peerless Price and Andre Davis are better fantasy picks if your league runs deep. More likely, Reed will settle in as the #3 or #4 receiver (a non-fantasy role) and try to keep up his strong special teams play.

The Bills drafted Roscoe Parrish with their top pick (second round) and the rookie is already turning heads at training camp, so Reed has his work cut out for him to try and remain as the #3 wideout between Eric Moulds and Lee Evans. We're hearing rumors that the Bills are all set to get rid of Reed, but don't believe those reports just yet. The Bills like Reed's work ethic and blocking ability and he'll get his fair chance to hold his place in the lineup. It just won't be easy, given Parrish's sheer speed and Sam Aiken's continued improvement. On a run-oriented team and with questions as to his exact role, Reed's fantasy value is close to nothing for 2005.

Reed turned heads with a nice rookie season (37/514/2), but then didn't do much more when given a full-time role in 2003 (58/588/2). His window of opportunity is closing quickly, especially with the drafting of speedster Lee Evans with the Bills' first round pick. Reed better make a statement early in camp. We'd avoid him, mostly because the second wideout spot could be a three-headed monster between Reed, Evans and Bobby Shaw. However, his value will be so low on draft day that if your league has a deep reserve stash, he may be worth a flyer with one of your final picks, if only to see if you can hit that "third year wideout" trend.

Reed turned heads with a fine rookie season (58/588/2), but then dropped off considerably (37/514/2) in 2003. His window of opportunity is closing quickly, especially with the drafting of speedster Lee Evans with the Bills' first round pick. Reed better make a statement early in camp. We'd avoid him, mostly because the second wideout spot could be a three-headed monster between Reed, Evans and Bobby Shaw. However, his value will be so low on draft day that if your league has a deep reserve stash, he may be worth a flyer with one of your final picks, if only to see if you can hit that "third year wideout" trend.