Zach Miller

Miller is consistent, if not especially productive. He posted nearly identical numbers last year to his 2012 stats as the Seahawks continue to value him more as blocker than a receiver. Miller has good hands, runs precise routes and at 6-5, 255, is a solid red-zone target. But in three years in Seattle, he's averaged just 51 targets, and last year's four targets inside the 10-yard line were his most as a Seahawk. It was perhaps a little surprising that he accepted a pay cut to stay with the Seahawks when he likely could have found a more receiver-friendly team as a free agent. Nevertheless, he will return this season as the No. 1 tight end, which should again mean limited targets in an offense that does not pass much to begin with and does not utilize the tight end when it does put the ball in the air.

That the Seahawks don't make more use of Miller's receiving skills is perplexing. Miller showed in Seattle's playoff game at Atlanta what he's capable of when he totaled eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown. During the regular season, however, he saw three or fewer targets in 11 games. Moreover, despite being virtually ignored at the goal line (one target inside the 10), Miller scored three touchdowns. The addition of Percy Harvin theoretically could open things for Miller down the seam, but Harvin will also siphon off more than 100 targets, leaving even less to go around.

It’s odd to say the best days are behind a player when he’s only 26, but that appears to be the case with Miller. Once a viable fantasy option in the Raiders passing attack who averaged 93 targets a year the previous three seasons, Miller now finds himself in a blocking role with the Seahawks. He saw his targets drop to just 44 last season and for the first time in his five-year career he did not score. It’s not that Miller was on the short end of a timeshare, either – fellow tight end John Carlson missed the season with an injury. The Seahawks just didn’t utilize their tight ends in the passing game, keeping Miller in to help an oft-struggling offensive line. That they traded for Kellen Winslow in May indicates Miller’s role in the passing game is unlikely to grow.

Given the inconsistency and injuries at wide receiver for the Raiders, Miller had easily been their most reliable contributor to the passing game over the last three seasons. He’s shown he’s not afraid to go over the middle and has good speed for his 6-5, 255-pound frame. A foot injury last season depressed his numbers, but in the first seven games he posted 453 receiving yards (65 YPG) with four touchdowns. The injury took its toll for the next five weeks, costing Miller Week 9. Not close to 100 percent healthy, Miller's game high in four contests in that span was a mere nine yards. Once Miller got healthy, however, he returned to his pre-injury ways, averaging 5.5 catches and 51 yards in the final four games of the season. His 16 red-zone targets tied him for second most among tight ends. After becoming an unrestricted free agent under the new CBA, Miller signed a five-year, $34 million contract with the Seahawks. While that is good news for Miller, it's likely bad for his fantasy potential, as he goes from a team with no legitimate receivers to one with Sidney Rice and Mike Williams out wide, not to mention tight end John Carlson also on the roster.

Miller is coming off what could be considered a great season considering Oakland’s quarterback problems. Even with the uninspiring trio of JaMarcus Russell, Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye under center, Miller still totaled 66 receptions for 805 yards last season. And that came in 14 games — he missed one game with a concussion and didn’t catch a pass in Week 2 when he had only three targets. In fact, Miller has managed to improve his receptions — 44, 56, 66 — and receiving yards — 444, 778, 805 — three consecutive years.

This year, he might even get some help from his quarterback. The inaccurate Russell (48.8 percent passing last season) is out and former Washington signal-caller Jason Campbell is in as the Raiders quarterback. Miller can get down field quickly — he had 16 receptions of 20-plus yards in 2008. A better offense should also improve his fortunes near the goal line. Miller received only seven red-zone targets last year, leading to just three scores. Unfortunately for his owners, two of those scores didn’t come until Week 16 — too little too late. Miller should benefit from improved, consistent quarterback play and could vault into a legit No. 1 tight-end option if his production continues its positive trend.

Despite the Raiders’ struggles on offense, Miller ended up as the sixth-leading receiver at tight end with 778 yards. Miller led all tight ends with 16 catches of 20-plus yards, demonstrating the ability to get down field quickly. Despite the yardage, he was only targeted 11 times inside the red zone, scoring just one touchdown. His six dropped passes (tied for third worst) didn’t help, either. This season, JaMarcus Russell will have some experience under his belt, and the Raiders drafted Brandon Myers to assume more of the blocking duties, freeing up Miller for the passing game. Miller could end up as an excellent fantasy option, especially if he is targeted more in the red zone.

Miller had a fine rookie season despite playing on a team with ineffective quarterbacks. Because of poor quarterback play, Oakland ran the ball more than it passed, requiring Miller to be a blocker more than a receiver. That could change in 2008. The Raiders are expected to hand the starting quarterback job to JaMarcus Russell, who completed eight passes to Miller in the fi- nal game of the 2007 season. That was by far the most receiving work he did all year. He was in the upper half in terms of fantasy points, and that could improve if Russell can do anything as a thrower. He’s a sleeper.

Miller gives the Raiders offense a solid pass-catching tight end to develop along with new QB JaMarcus Russell. The Arizona St. product is not a burner by any means, but he has good hands and a knack for getting open and should turn into a nice safety valve for Russell.