Marcus Pollard

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren thinks Pollard still has enough left in the tank to get 50 receptions. That’s a total the 12-year veteran has yet to hit in his career, so the coach is engaging in hyperbole. Pollard was a productive tight end with the Colts and caught 46 balls for Detroit two seasons ago before getting lost in 2006 with just 12 receptions. After releasing Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens, the Seahawks are bereft of options at tight end, giving Pollard little competition in training camp. The team has been right around the middle of the pack in tight end usage, so Pollard could have an opportunity to contribute effectively for fantasy teams, especially in the red zone where the Seahawks targeted their tight ends 18 times last year.

A good route runner with soft hands and the ability to find open space, Pollard had some productive seasons as Indianapolis tight end for a few years, but with the emergence of Dallas Clark, his role diminished there. Pollard resurrected himself with the Lions in 2005, catching 46 passes for 516 yards and three touchdowns. A lot of changes took place in Detroit, including a new coach (Rod Marinelli), new quarterbacks (John Kitna/Josh McCown) and a new offensive coordinator (Mike Martz), so Pollard’s production is not easily forecasted. He was second on the team in targets last season, but with all the change, the Lions’ recent history tells us little about Pollard’s value in 2006.

Released by Indianapolis, Pollard signed with pass-heavy Detroit (505 passing attempts/407 rushing attempts). Pollard gives QB Joey Harrington a veteran hand in what has the makings of a dynamic passing game. Harrington has young guns Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams with veteran Kevin Johnson, so Pollard could get lost among the talented wideouts. Pollard has been a top five fantasy tight end in the past, but the Lions under Harrington won’t be confused with the Colts under Peyton Manning, so Pollard’s production doesn’t figure to match that of his heyday in Indy.

Pollard has seen his receptions and touchdowns drop in each of the last two seasons and now faces a push from second-year man Dallas Clark, who caught 29 passes for 340 yards last season before suffering a season-ending leg injury. Pollard can still be a breakaway threat, averaging 7.8 yards after the catch last year, and there are plenty of passes to go around in the Colts offense. The Colts also drafted Ben Hartsock (Ohio State) in the third round, but we don’t expect him to have a big impact in 2004.

Pollard saw his yardage drop by 261 in 2002, but still is Peyton Manning's favorite target in the red zone, catching 11 inside the 20-yard line, five for touchdowns. The duo has been together for a five years, so there's definitely a comfort level here. Pollard caught 43 passes for 478 yards, adding six touchdowns in 2002 for what passes as an elite tight end. The Colts drafted Dallas Clark in the first round this spring, but that shouldn't limit Pollard. He shared time with Ken Dilger in 2001 and still scored eight touchdowns with 739 yards.